September 9, the Moro National Liberation Front, generally known as the Rogue MNLF Elements (RME) under the Sulu State Revolutionary Command (SSRC) led by Ustadz Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibon, whose group continues to recognize Nur Misuari as MNLF Chairman had break out into an attempt to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republik at Zamboanga City Hall. This made a huge displacement of more than 100,000 people, the occupation of several barangays (villages) by the MNLF, the deaths of several civilians, the closure of the Zamboanga International Airport. Civilians were captured, injured and even killed during the stand off. The place was really a sight of disaster but the country never though there was more to come.
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| Credits: GMA News Online |
Last October 15, the Visayas region has encountered a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2. It has destroyed many infrastructures that could said to be of great importance. Houses, Buildings, Churches, and even the famous Chocolate Hills had some deforested areas because of possible land slide. But nothing beats the fact that a lot of people died because of this, a lot of lives were taken, a lot of familes wept.
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| Top: Baclayon Church, Bohol; Bottom: Basilica Minor de Sto. Nino, Cebu |
After this, November 8, another disaster struck the country. Tropical Storm Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) has drenched out most of the houses and lives of people again in the Visayas region. It was truely heart-breaking and nearly hopeless. People were warned but still no one knew how much damage this storm may cause, until it did show us. Death toll as of the moment I have been typing this reached around 5,600. Not just lives were taken but also livelihoods and infrastructures that are supposed to be what survivors may have been using for survival. It became a game of survival of the fittest having looters, fights, and everything you could think of that people would do just to survive the day.
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| A rainbow of hope in Tacloban. Credits to: ABS-CBN News.com |
People who were not affected were aware of the urgent need of help of their kababayans (countrymen). They heard the cries, they heard their call for help, they knew their needs.
I have been a volunteer of the Philippine Red Cross since October 2011. I was active joining activities, trainings, blood donation drives, relief operations, first aid stations, and also got fortunate enough to be trained as a First Aid Instructor.
I somewhat rested as a volunteer when I attended my first year in medical school, but that did not stop me from being visible during activities and being there during my vacation and free time. I had my down time after fighting for my medical career and after running to my family for support I needed more, which made me go back to my second home. They accepted me with open arms, listened to my story, encouraged me to stand up and fight. I was undecided on how to spend the next days of my life, I decided to dedicate a year of service to the organization. I was fortunate enough to be able to teach again and help again.
I was trying to get back on tack and was actively teaching again. I again regained my self-worth and felt treasured. September was a busy month I was determined to finish my hours. Then the news break out, the sight of our fellow volunteers being in the middle of the shoot out helping wounded civilians, military and MNLF alike. Even they have been recievers of some gunshots. That made me realize our job is really different from all the others, despite possible harm, volunteers put themselves on the line.It was a holiday and we were scheduled to teach some college students in a school in Alabang. While preparing to discuss my topic, I opened my fone and researched, then I decided to lurk into my twitter homepage. Then a sudden rush of sadness came into me after reading several tweets. There came an earthquake in Bohol & Cebu. The first thing that came into my mind is that Thank God it happened not when we were there and that I was also fortunate to be able to see this 2 provinces in a great shape. I was devastated by the pictures and felt heart broken as soon as I got a glimpse of the famous Baclayon Church, which is our last stop during my Bohol trip last August. It broke me into pieces. Days after the tragedy we were asked to be ready for relief packing. We were somewhat ready because of some remnants of Maring relief donations already packed. Just before my birthday I saw one of my college friends who became a disaster management staff posting that she's in Bohol for assessment of the damage. I then knew it was really of great damage.
Then came another warning with regards to disaster. A huge storm is fast approaching the region. Then the dreadful thing stuck. The typhoon Yolanda. I have been in the branch for relief operations and I did see some consistent walk in volunteers and even relief goods donors, but never did I ever imagine that there would be an overwhelming number of volunteers, donations, relief packs to be shipped. And through all these I told myself that truly the Filipino spirit of BAYANIHAN could not be replaced by any word, any phrase, sentence or even a paragraph, but a picture (or a series of pictures) might describe this.The donations just keeps on coming up to this day we still receive some donations but try to tell people that we minimize receiving due to storage problems.
On the 2nd or 3rd weeks, we refuse to accept clothes donations except for new underwear & towels which we can include in hygiene kits. The government & shipping companies are to give priority to relief goods more than clothing. Some people despite hearing this explanation would tend to haggle us and even beg us to accept their donations since they trust the organization to deliver their donations. Then we continued shipping, packing and storing more relief goods. And thus, we have a walk way filled with boxes not to mention a day prior to that 2 tents in the Madrigal Park and a gazebo filled with packed relief goods and our branch's training room filled with boxes of hygiene kits & used clothes. CCF also offered their room for relief packing which we were thankful of.
On the last week of October, we were asked by the management of CCF to evacuate the place because of an up comming event in their church. We then spent the whole afternoon fixing the place trying our best to put all those boxes, which were soaked in rain the afternoon before, inside our branch. Luckily we were offered by Sharp Phils. a warehouse where we could temporarily put all the other relief goods that could not fit in. We almost filled that warehouse. Then we had no choice but to pack all the rest of the relief goods inside our humble branch. And yes, until now, our branch looks like a warehouse more than an office boxes here and there and our training room, a valley of relief goods. We also experience over flowing of volunteers that the branch decided to have scheduling for walk in volunteers.
I also adore how Filipinos around the world try to send their BAYANIHAN spirit to those affected by the disasters. I see fund raising projects, relief goods packing and also sending off cash donations even in different denominations. I also do appreciate the celebrities here & abroad trying to help out, especially those who are not of Filipino linage who are ready to lend a helping hand. I also felt proud with my friends who were asking me on the schedules and what we do need for the relief. I was also touched that most of the people I follow in Twitter and are friends in Facebook are posting on sympathies, ways how to help, prayers, willingness to help, etc. That made me realize I really am surrounded by people who does share the same passion I have, HELPING.
The scene and the thought of having people donating this goods, sorting them, packing them and stacking them inside really is touching. As I quote my post in Facebook last November 26, "This past few weeks made me realize that people really do trust Philippine Red Cross in delivering services for YolandaPH Survivors.. Most of the donors, despite us saying "sorry po we don't accept clothes" would try to persuade us & ask us if the other branches are accepting... Concerts, events, albums & businesses donate their earnings to the org... Really flattering... Really touching... BAYANIHAN at its finest"
The constant trust and praises we receive, flatters us, and also makes us strive better and work harder. Others may have been thinking they have done their part already and that the communities are already recovering, but honestly this is the time where people should be more helpful. Recovery & rehabilitation is a more tedious work. This is the time they need us more. Seeing the aftermath and trying to rebuild their lives at the same time would surely be an emotional challenge for them.
Again, like what most Filipinos have in their timelines, The Filipino spirit is waterproof; and that Filipinos are stronger than any disaster. And this makes me say...
