Aired (March 7, 2025): Matagumpay na nailigtas ng mag-asawang volunteer firefighter at beterinaryo na sina Doc Jerwin at Doc Jennifer ang halos 100 aso mula sa isang nasusunog na bahay sa San Juan. Panoorin ang buong kuwento sa video.
Hosted by veteran and premier documentarist Kara David, ‘Kara Docs’ gives faces to significant statistics on social issues. It amplifies the subjects’ voices as Kara David immerses herself in their lives.
Watch 'Kara Docs' every Monday, 5:00PM on GMA Public Affairs YouTube Channel. Subscribe to youtube.com/gmapublicaffairs for our full episodes. #KaraDocs
Hosted by veteran and premier documentarist Kara David, ‘Kara Docs’ gives faces to significant statistics on social issues. It amplifies the subjects’ voices as Kara David immerses herself in their lives.
Watch 'Kara Docs' every Monday, 5:00PM on GMA Public Affairs YouTube Channel. Subscribe to youtube.com/gmapublicaffairs for our full episodes. #KaraDocs
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NewsTranscript
00:00Their fire and rescue unit has been around for almost two decades.
00:06It is made up of 26 volunteers.
00:09The veterinarian couple, Doc Gerwin and Doc Jennifer,
00:13are the founders of this group.
00:16You are both vets, right?
00:19Veterinarians, both of you.
00:21How did you get into firefighting?
00:24It seems like it's so far from vets and firefighting.
00:29In 1996, when I was in high school,
00:31my father told me that after school,
00:37our neighbor's house was burned down.
00:40The part of the restaurant was damaged.
00:42All the stocks were burned down.
00:46My father told me that if it wasn't for the volunteer firefighters and the BFP,
00:52we wouldn't have a house.
00:54We lived on the third floor of the restaurant.
00:57The people who helped us so that it wouldn't burn down,
01:00aside from the bureau, were the fire volunteers.
01:03That was the time I got an idea regarding volunteer firefighting.
01:09Doc Gerwin and Doc Gene were just in love when they became firefighters.
01:16Did you meet each other because of firefighting?
01:19In school.
01:20As a school.
01:21So when you found out that your boyfriend was a firefighter,
01:27it came with him.
01:31But did you have a mindset that your boyfriend was putting you in danger?
01:37Yes.
01:38Actually, when I met him, he was already a firefighter.
01:43So I think I had to accept that part of him.
01:51That was his passion, his advocacy, coming from his experiences.
01:58Then you also joined the firefighting.
02:01It became automatic.
02:03Actually, I also saw the fulfillment,
02:09helping the firefighters.
02:11When I was with him, I saw the distress of the people, their panic.
02:17It's also a big thing that somehow it helped them.
02:24Within almost 20 years, they have already responded to many fires.
02:29But there is one incident that they will never forget as a firefighter and veterinarian couple.
02:37We're just coming home from taking the kids to school.
02:41I saw a firetruck of someone.
02:44It's not coming out of the area of responsibility.
02:48So I said, let's follow it.
02:50When I went there, I went down first.
02:52So I said, stay in the car.
02:53Then when I got to the fire scene, the dogs were already coming out.
02:57Of course, as a vet, you have a passion for dogs, right?
03:01Then I found out that there were a lot.
03:03So I asked my team to call her.
03:06Because I can't handle everything.
03:07Around 100 dogs you meet.
03:09Oh my gosh!
03:11There are so many.
03:12The owner of the house is passionate about dogs.
03:15Rescueing dogs.
03:16So even her neighbors, if there are dogs that are not taken care of.
03:24Tell me about your experience when you got there.
03:27You had to rescue almost 100 dogs.
03:32She was the first one.
03:34So when I arrived, I saw that there were dogs lying outside.
03:38The firefighters took them out.
03:40So from there, there were also those who brought portable oxygen.
03:47So that's it.
03:48Trying to revive the dogs that were...
03:53Because they were already...
03:55Unconscious.
03:57Smoke inhalation.
03:59As veterinarians, the lives of pets are important to the lives of humans.
04:07And how does it feel every time...
04:09Especially you, your dogs are close to your heart.
04:13How did it feel at that time?
04:17What we do, it's not just for nothing.
04:21Not only for the lives of humans.
04:26Even the animals, especially nowadays.
04:31Our pet friends are special.
04:34Our pet family.
04:36We treat them like family also.
04:38So when I saw the affected owners of these animals.
04:47They are also very thankful.
04:49So it gives us also the validity that what you're doing is okay.
04:59Despite the dangers they face,
05:02Minsan does not ask for payment for all their help.
05:11You don't get anything from this.
05:14I mean, you don't get paid.
05:15No, we don't.
05:16You don't get paid for your services?
05:20No.
05:21You don't charge anything?
05:22No, we don't.
05:23We don't.
05:24It's really purely volunteer.
05:26You're the ones who are spending.
05:28You're the ones who are spending.
05:29The business funds, the volunteer fire brigade.
05:32Aside from the personal income from being a veterinary consultant.
05:37Why are you doing this?
05:38You're a businessman.
05:39You're the ones who are spending.
05:40It's different when you're able to help.
05:42It feels good.
05:43You want to do something good for the community and for all the blessings that you have received.
05:49It's already included in the budget.
05:50It's already included in the budget.
05:51Really?
05:52After all, we are rewarded with blessings from the Lord.
05:57So we might as well share where we can benefit a lot.
06:03Like here in San Juan, the community of San Juan is our priority.
06:09But aren't you afraid of your life?
06:12Because the fire is very dangerous.
06:14Yes, true.
06:15It's dangerous.
06:16But that's where training comes in.
06:19That's where the years of experience comes in.
06:22Right?
06:23And that's where the proper equipment.
06:26And your team that knows how to do it properly.
06:29And your other colleagues in the volunteer industry.
06:32They also know how to do it.
06:34So we cooperate.
06:35We help each other.
06:42We help each other.