COVID-19 Pinoy Bayanihan Spirit in Southern Sydney

By Marilie Bomediano
Photos by: Joy Marcelo and Aleli Ferrer
Sydney-Australia
April 4, 2020

Carlito and Aleli Ferrer of Kogarah gave away over 50 pcs. of SOS food packs that contained basic necessities like rice, canned goods, sugar, noodles, drinks, 3-in-1 coffees, chucherias or snacks to the pinoy unemployed overseas students and tourists. (photos by Joy Marcelo)

SYDNEY: It’s heartwarming to witness the “Bayanihan Spirit”, ‘ika nga “Kapit-Bisig” act of kindness, that warmly paints the Filipino-Australian brotherhood during this alarming COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Panlasang Pinoy Restaurant, a fast food style and food shop in Kogarah, has distributed so many free grocery packs last April 3-4 to help the Pinoy overseas students and non-residents’ COVID-19 affected who lost their jobs due to the recent NSW lockdown.

Devout Catholics, the Ilocano good samaritan coupled-proprietors Carlito and Aleli Ferrer gave away over 50 pcs. of SOS food packs that contained basic necessities like rice, canned goods, sugar, noodles, drinks, 3-in-1 coffees, chucherias or snacks to the pinoy unemployed overseas students and tourists.

“Kuya Carlito has been the person who welcomed Filipinos, students or even residents, that are seeking help. Amidst the crisis, he has shown what a true filipino spirit should be, says recipient Stacy King, a pinay certified nurse and mental health overseas student.

“He is never hungry for fame or money, instead he's been always honest in helping others even if he has no gains whatsoever.

“May God bless him and his wife Aleli and their family always, Ms. King thankfully added.

Born into poverty in Paco, Manila, Carlito Ferrer says it was just his wishful thinking that he would ever make it out of his home city. As a child, he sold vegetables, tupperware, slippers and other items at the Paco Market just to make a living.

"I sold bags for one cent each. Since I was six this was how I paid for my school," he once told SBS.

The resourceful Ferrer is now turning 60 yrs old and runs one of the most popular Filipino food stores in Sydney with his third wife, Aleli Pedro Ferrer.

But it wasn’t without struggle. Landing in Australia in October 1990, Ferrer battled through two failed marriage and butchery business, eventually deciding to return to the Philippines. Later on, in a new marriage, he gave Sydney another crack, working and saving hard with his third wife, Aleli, once arriving.

Carlito Ferrer of Panlasang Pinoy hands SOS Food Packs to Stacy King, a pinay certified nurse and mental health overseas student and other non-residents’ COVID-19 affected who lost their jobs due to the recent NSW lockdown. (photo by Joy Marcelo)

Aleli would cook for friends and family — her dishes were faithful to traditional Filipino cuisine and people kept coming back for more.

Aleli, 31 yrs old is a multi-skilled Ilocana, with determination, she has self taught her cooking skills that she learned merely just by observing in her hometown province of Isabela.

Panlasang Pinoy (Tagalog for "Filipino taste") opened in Kogarah in May 2017, showcasing Aleli's dishes. It’s small and homely with jolly karaoke in the corner and a constant stream of diners that changed immensely after the lockdown.

Born into poverty in Paco, Manila, Carlito Ferrer says it was just his wishful thinking only that he would ever make it out of his home city

As a child, he sold vegetables, tupperware, slippers and other items at the Paco Market just to make a living.

top pix: L-R Camille 11 years old, Parish Priest holding Cassie 7 months, Charles 8 yrs old with parents Carlito and Aleli Ferrer

bottom left & bottom right:

Ilocano good samaritans Aleli & Carlito Ferrer of Panlasang Pinoy.

(family pix by Aleli Ferrer)

The customers are going in and out, but Panlasang Pinoy is truly the best place in Sydney for authentic Filipino food and off-the-shelf products.