When the devastating flashflood brought by typhoon Sendong swiftly filled our home with murky or muddy water, my son was fast asleep. It was literally a shock for him to see the water getting into our room after I forced him to wake up. The water was already neck-level when we waddled through the sala out.
As we gathered with my two other home companions at the gate, Chacha and Bordie, we realized that escape was difficult since the road was already transformed into a muddy river. Our frantic voices seeking help from neighbors swerved with the wind. They heard us but can't help us. It was a frustrating moment. Good that Bordie was able to climbed on our roof through our Eba tree. It became easier for us to help each other climbed up.
Like our neighbors, we were on our roof until daybreak. Lex was shivering and all I could offer to him was a tight hug to give some warmth, which was actually difficult at such time because we were all wet. As water continued to rise, we could only surrender our fears at the recital of the Holy Rosary. No use thinking of the dialectics of flood, although we continued to hope that rescue groups would come because we aren't certain when the water would stop or if it will still reach us at the roof. Each time we'd reach the phrase "...pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen." it felt it was a recital of our acceptance to whatever would befall us that night.
We heaved relief when the level of water started to lower around 3:30 a.m. As the sunlit rose from the eastern sky, only then that relatives of Brian arrived to help us get down. For three or four days, we stayed at Brian's uncle while some relatives helped him removed and trash all cabinets, tables and things, including my research materials [in the last ten years] and my library.
Transcending the tragedy is difficult. We lost most of the things we struggled to acquire in the last six years. But we admit that our situation was bit better compared to those whose homes were slammed with logs and whose lives were taken away. We can chorus with the rest of the survivors that we can't complain. Being spared from death is more than enough although we grieve for those who suddenly departed because of that flash flood.
We survived, but each time heavy rain fall I would panic and becomes nervous.
I wouldn't want to hear stories of those who were flashed to the shores and have luckily survived. This is because our situation was close to that too. I'd rather pray for those who survived and those who unfortunately died. And, be kept busy with the clean-up.
Lex meanwhile, spent his time drawing what he thought and felt. There was that caricature he drew that he was sleeping and he was surrounded with three persons. This could be the situation we had on December 16 before flood inundated our home.
The year 2012 started with a quiet and forlorn hearts. Lex's birthday was an attempt to make it bit colorful for us to help ease his trauma, too. It felt good that he started smiling and chatting well with invited children from our neighbors-- those who also survived from that tragedy.
The following day, we welcomed children from our neighbors. This continued up to these days. Letting them play and talk to each other may self-help them. Lex however, is also aided by his school when it conducted psychosocial intervention. I think I have already seen some signs that he is recovering except that sometimes, fear replaces his young strength.
Since December 16 of 2011, I do not like to write. I may have assisted institutions to network and communicate needs, as well as, recognize the endeavors made by those who accord support and emergency assistance to us through a social network...but still I do not like to write and reflect. The experience prodded us to take care of ourselves more.
It took some time before am able to resolve that we needed to rise up from our fears. So, while my family is confronting the odds of regaining normalcy in our lives, I started appreciating what I learned from this tragedy. My needs are also mirrored by others needs. In fact, they needed more than we do. Like them, I am dismayed by the slow development and response of the local government. The latter lacked sense of emergency and sense of resiliency. What could I contribute aside from communicating needs? I have decided to make it a creative activity to engage my son by using those humble financial assistance given to us from friends to further help others in little ways. I am hopeful that it can provide more difference. Besides, while we receive relief goods as assistance to keep us moving, it is also wise to simultaneously initiate too the art of giving. Survivors for survivors. So, I engaged my home buddies and Lex to help start the campaign for children's needs. We were only able to make 30 bags and filled it with school supplies. Little ways but is also changing my home buddies and Lex's thoughts about needing but still transcending that needs to help those who are needing more.
 |
| Turning over of 30 bags with school supplies to the principal of Cabili elem school. Most of their students here came from barangay Santiago, one of the mostly affected community during typhoon. The goods were donated by Ivy and Penny, my friends. |
My elementary classmates in SACES and in SCCES--Belle, Armi and Ivy-- & friend Penny inspire us to be more kind to others. The process helped relieved us, too. It has become part of the many processes we are undergoing toward internal healing from that traumatic experience.
 |
| Medicines for leptospirosis, diarrhea, and dengue given by my elem. classmates (and their families/friends) from SACES and turned-over to MSU-IIT College of Nursing that conducts medical mission for hinterland communities. Forever thankful to them. The medicines can help save lives. |
Posts
