MANILA --- In times of calamities, the Filipino bayanihan spirit never fails to surface. You can see it everywhere. In the places devastated by tropical storm Ondoy, people take it upon themselves to conduct rescue and relief operations spontaneously.

        At the national relief operations center in Malacanang, this spirit is very much alive.

        More than 140 individuals from all walks of life have volunteered their services to the government’s Oplan Sagip Bayan, which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has mobilized to provide relief and temporary shelter for families displaced or made homeless by the storm.

        Relocated families have been sheltered in all available premises within the palace buildings as well in tents set up in the palace grounds. While others availed of the donated goods, some were busy placing calls at the free call center set up by the National Telecommunications Commission at the palace grounds.

        The Presidential Family, headed by Evangeline Lourdes “Luli” Arroyo-Bernas, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Ignacio “Dato” Arroyo and wife Victoria “Kakai” Arroyo have joined the volunteers in packing the relief goods to be distributed to affected areas.

        The Presidential family blended well in the volunteer crowd where they themselves packed the goods and carried the boxes to be distributed. Bernas, wearing only plain clothes, even refused to get help from Malacanang employees while carrying big boxes of relief goods.