Permanent Shelters ASAP

Not everyone might know the current situation of Sendong survivors, let me share with you only a little of what I have witnessed from the bigger picture. Camps, tents can be very exciting for us, especially when we talk about our boy-and-girl-scout-days, isn't it? Though we are enjoying the feel of the camp and camping in general, we always reach to a point where we want to go home for we miss the comforts of which. I know the feeling because I have been into several camps. I sure have an idea how difficult it is. And no doubt, you have an idea of such, too.

It's been five (5) months now since Typhoon Washi/Sendong hit the country, especially the cities of Iligan, CDO, Bukidnon and Dumaguete. And here in Iligan, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are still staying in the evacuation camps, in what they regard as tent cities.

Last Sunday, May 13, a sudden outpour of heavy rains and strong winds have triggered flashbacks of the tragic Sendong to many of the IDPs. Some lost their stuff again, while some others ironically evacuated, out from the deemed "evacuation camps". Some cried hard while others prayed hard. Waist-high waters rushed to some areas, thereby remark like "this is second Sendong minus logs", can be heard all over. Some tents got destroyed in an instant.

Five long months in the tents, enduring the scorching heat of the sun and the unpredictable,threatening rains. Tents are surely not durable after a while, not even conducive as shelter. But what can IDPs do? This is the best they got at the moment, they just have to bear everything not-so-good that goes with it.

It is my prayer, and is shared by other humanitarian actors and many others, that immediate actions will be taken by the authorities. The longer the IDPs stay on such situation, the more vulnerable they are to difficulties and other issues.

Violence, conflicts are increasing each day. We could only hope that everyone bounces back immediately. Few months ago, I have seen much resilience exhibited by people...but as the wait for permanent shelters keeps on getting longer and a bit uncertain to a number of people, some have shown unexpected deviations. While many moved on and are moving on, there are a number who have not and can not do such yet. And living in tents is not helping at all.

Whatever happened to the money donated for shelters? Who are stopping its immediate realization? If we claim that we have already taken actions, maybe it will also be nice to revisit the processes we have employed and the sense of urgency we have attached to it. As per assessment of many, it appears that you have not tried hard enough. You have allowed mediocrity to be your standards, you have not employed the best strategies yet. At times, we can get so comfortable with where we are that realities on the ground do not in any way alarm our senses.

If I am too passionate about this, forgive me. You see, going to the evacuation camps does not just allow me to see their situations, but it has been a venue for me to hear their stories firsthand. And believe me when I say, even stones will crack upon hearing their accounts.



It's very hard to wait with such difficult situation, and it's even painful to wait when you know there can be a way to hasten things. This is all about will. May we never lose that will at the expense of our brothers and sisters.

Much can be said about the difficulties experienced by the IDPs, but this will be after all words. One will never have that perfect understanding unless he brings himself off to the evacuation camps and spend even just a day or two with the IDPs. Only then, he will realize how is it feels like to be one.

Rainy season is starting and it crushes my heart thinking about those children who are crying every time it rains hard. Tsk!

Water got in the tents after heavy rains last May 13 :"(

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Blind Eyes

Who could have thought that after 50 years of seeing the world with his naked eyes, he will completely lose his sight. Being blind for nine years now, he is almost hopeless to submit himself to possible means to regain his sight. What surprised us, Doc Anisah and I, is his desire to at least own a BP Apparatus, to be able to check his BP constantly. He did not even insist on having an operation, BP app is what he's just asking.

If I had the means to produce one, I could have instantly given him. But what hit me hard is the realization that - NOTHING IS CERTAIN. What we will become in the next years IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. We have to cherish what we have and what we own at present, take utmost care of our health and appreciate even the littlest of our encounters in this world.

This is but one of the stories we have heard and witnessed today. If my heart were a bomb, it surely have exploded. :"(

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Medicines for Delivery

Francis, an HOM teammate, was bringing a box of medicines to SSB, Luinab late this afternoon. There were a number of reported cases of colds and fever among children as a result to the unexpected heavy rains last Sunday night. Such cases were but a few of the ill results of last weekend's very bad weather, for others were forced to move out from the evacuation centers/camps to a higher ground. Some even lost again their stuff. While a number lost their tents if not partially damaged:"(

*The said medicines were the ones left from the medical mission last May 9.*

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Convergence for a Cause

The convergence of local groups to affirm Sendong survivors that there are still many people rallying behind their back, pushing for the best of their welfare :) This is it! No turning back, we are pushing to reality the Medical/Dental/Legal Mission on May 9. God, we cannot thank you enough for your grace. Thank you for people's generosity of hearts. They very well reflect your love and compassion:)

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Lesson Learned 2

I have not been to a place for this short time and learned this much.
Truly, everything happens for a reason and each encounter that we face has a very beautiful story to tell, if we only allow ourselves to introspect.

Coming here in Iligan has never crossed my mind at all before.
I do not even know where Iligan is exactly in the map. No offense, but that is the truth.
It is so unfortunate that it's because of a calamity that I was able to set foot on its land.
When I have fully set in, such a desolate welcome there was for me I thought.
I came to help, but I did not plan to stay long.
But it would be naive of me not to have that desire to come back upon seeing emotionally piercing scenarios unfold right in front of me.
My heart can only bear much.
If my heart were a bomb when I came to the city the first time, it sure has exploded.

It's amazing how the worst in calamities can bring out the best in people.
Seeing humanity at its best,
I did not doubt then that there is hero in each of us, to different extents though.

Even how selfish we can get sometimes, there is always a way to soften that heart to sympathize and empathize.
It does not matter anymore whether we know the person we are helping or not,
what's important is - help is readily available to those who need, especially those who seek for it.


Many have put their hearts on what they do.
Their work has been more than a source of income;
It was more of a passion, progressing as one cultivates and invests himself into it.
It does not matter which group or which known agency you represent nor it was a question of what your credentials are,at the round table, what matter: your heart, your intentions, your sincerity, your concrete actions and your plans.

Our actions are but our personal responses to what were laid to us.
We call the shot.
If I choose this, and you choose that - that's but normal.
We have diferent views on things and we cannot simply rub in what we deem important.
Each individual has a different set of priorities.
Whatever we heed, there is sure a good reason for that.


But one thing is certain, one's desire is restless until it is acted upon.
And helping is more than saying it with words, it invites and moves us to take actions.
Help can be in different forms.
And when we do so, we should not underestimate the power of the reciever to appreciate whatever little we share,they know too well and can attest that a little thing can mean really much.

Welcome any form of help, for helping is never a competition on who delievered much and who shared the best.
At times, we can hand in much without giving much enthusiasm with it.
When we give, our heart gets into the picture and that's what makes the whole package more meaningful, more beautiful.


This is not about who is put on the best position to extend his/her hands and heart to others,
but this is about who went out, despite the limitations, and be there.

Wherever we are, whatever little that we share, redounds to the whole of humanity.
One's goodness in a small place ripples to the whole wide world.

Is it that difficult to do good?
I believe, it's not :)

God bless!

050212

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