As young students struggled to cope with learning module challenges this year, one print shop in Malabon came to the rescue and won the hearts of netizens.
The husband and wife Marvin and Ria Dungao, both 40, went viral online last May after they offered free printing to students’ worksheets.
The idea to help out struggling students started when they began to receive inquiries from people about module printing.
Recalled Marvin in a Light TV interview: “Isang araw pagkatapos namin breakfast mag-asawa, pag-open namin sa e-mails sa printing, ang dami namin inquiry asking kung magkano yung papa-print ng mga modules, worksheets. Tapos may mga nag-wawalk-in sa printing shop.
“Tapos pag-sinabi namin yung presyo, P5 per printing colored and P2 black and white, makita mo sa mukha nila parang nadidismaya sila. Mag-wa-walkaway… Parang nadudurog yung puso mo eh. Habang nandun kami, bakit hindi natin ibigay na libre, kaya naman yata natin i-shoulder yung cost ng ink and paper…
Whether it was “divine intervention” or “inner voice,” Marvin felt for the first time the prodding to help out.
“By that time, merong something inside me na mararamdaman, bumulong sa akin, na kailangan mong gawin to… tapos tinanong ko siya (my wife) kaagad, ano kaya ba natin?”
Of course, Ria said “kaya.”
From simple worksheets, their free printing initiative also went on to help college students with their thesis and teachers with their educational materials.
From initially wanting to cater to people from the neigborhood, they went on to serve people outside their community.
“Nakareceive na kami ng message coming from Cavite, Valenzuela, Pasig, Makati. So ginawa namin, para do’n sa mga malalayo, ginawa namin, every week, pwede kayo mag-paprint, 60 to 100 pages. Basta importante, ipapa-pick up niyo. Kunwai via courier, rider, gano’n,” Marvin told The STAR in an interview.
Then from what started out just a few pages a day, they were able to print as many as 2,000 pages because people came to help out.
The couple never actively asked for donations because they feared the public might think they’re a scam. But friends from here and abroad started contributing to the cause, while some anonymous donors would go to their shop and leave reams of bond paper.
They did all these despite experiencing difficulties during the pandemic.
The couple said their businesses — they also had an events photography studio — suffered from the lockdown.
Ria said, “Ibang-iba talaga ‘yung ano, pasok ng income sa printing versus sa events namin. Sobrang laki talaga no’ng nawala. Kasi zero talaga siya eh.”
But the joy they brought to people they’ve helped has been priceless.
“Tuwing iabot po namin yung sampung pirasong papel na may lamang worksheets, ang laking gaan sa pakiramdam… sa pagbibgay ko sa kanila parang mas ginawan ako nila ang pabor. Ang liit ng binigay ko for that feeling of lightness. Never pa namin na experience namin,” Marvin said.
“Makikita mo ‘yung saya ng mga magulang na nagme-message sa’min, nagpapadala ng picture ng mga anak nila na ginagawa ‘yung activity. Parang ang saya lang din. Parang iba ‘yung pakiramdam, iba ‘yung saya na binibigay sa amin,” Ria said.
Netizens have praised the couple’s act of kindness, but more importantly, it has created a ripple effect as they inspired others to do the same.
Marvin said, “Hindi naman kailangan ng print shop eh. Ordinary citizen ka na may printer, pwede ka mag-offer sa mga kapitbahay niyo. Kasi kung lahat ng bahay, gagawin ‘yun, hindi na namin kailangan magpadala ng print sa Valenzuela, sa Makati. Kasi sila mismo mayroon na silang sariling grupo a gumagawa no’ sa area nila. So hangga’t may ink saka may paper kami, tuloy-tuloy lang. Hangga’t kaya naman I-finance, tuloy-tuloy lang.”
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