As the country continues to face the COVID-19 pandemic, there still remains a shortage of face masks for health-care workers, everyday frontliners, and Filipinos nationwide.
Seeing the many people in her community with no access to face masks, 18 year old fashion designer and commercial model Lelilani Kate Yalung saw it upon herself to create and give out 100 stylish hand-made masks for free.
In a facebook post, Yalung explains that it was important that everyone should be wearing a mask to avoid contracting or spreading the disease.
She also explains that while her efforts may not be enough to provide masks for everyone, it would hopefully inspire other designers and manufacturers to create masks for free within their communities.
“Alam kong mas madami pa din na mga fashion designers at mga mananahi na gusto ding tumulong in their own way. Kung sa bawat barangay ay merong isa o ilang mga tao na gagawa ng mask, wala ng taong walang face mask. Ito na ang chance natin na makatulong in our own little way.”
(I know there are a lot more fashion designers and tailors who would also like to help in their own way. If each barangay has one person or even a small group to make masks, no person would have no face mask. This is our chance to help in our own little way.)
She further reminds online users to practice other means of avoiding infection through proper hand washing and disinfecting and by boosting one’s immune system through getting enough rest and taking vitamins.
Lastly, she challenges other fashion designers to do their part in helping Filipinos who are victims to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sa pagtulong-tulong nating lahat, malalabanin natin ang covid-19. Fashion designers, let’s go help flatten the curve!”