Help DCR Students Recover from Typhoon Ulysses
Written by Diether B. Navarosa — November 17,2020
Families of Sophomore students, Isaac Mae Regular and Marwin Ignacio are just two of the more than 80,000 households who have encountered firsthand the lashing of the Typhoon Ulysses.
While almost everyone is keeping themselves safe from the on-going pandemic, another deadly cyclone (known as Typhoon Vamco) strikes the Philippines, particularly those living in Central Luzon and its nearby provinces including Metro Manila, last Thursday, November 11 — leaving the studies of 11 million affected underprivileged Filipino students in a state of derangement, according to DepEd.
Among those ‘Iskolars ng Bayan’ whose lives were greatly affected by the typhoon were Isaac Mae Regular and Marwin Ignacio, both students of PUP Department of Communication Research.
For the 19-year-old Marikina City resident, Isaac, she and her family have already been used to strong typhoons beating their place, yet, this is the first time that they lost their home.
“Sanay na kami sa baha pero ngayon lang namin naranasan masiraan ng bahay. Ewan ko kung saan kami pupulot ng pera ngayon.”
Markina City likened the severity of typhoon Ulysses to the formidable tropical storm Ondoy which claimed 710 lives, and submerged the city in flood waters back in 2009. This reminds Isaac of the tragic memories that the unfortunate event has ingrained to her mind.
“Maraming beses na rin kami nakaranas ng baha. Mula pagkabata sa Malanday na ako eh. Naalala ko rin yung Ondoy noon, pero mas malala ‘yun, as in.”
There were several other typhoons that visited Marikina but nothing was ever at par with the epic Ondoy. These gentler storm visits inside 11 years, prompted Isaac’s family to underestimate what would later cause the worst flooding in Metro Manila since 2009.
“Hindi kami nakapag-prepare dahil akala namin hindi na tataas yung tubig. Kasi nga ‘di ba naka-ilang bagyo at baha na kami, kaya alam na namin kung kailan kailangan lumikas. Pero nang madaling araw na tumaas yung tubig kaya hindi kami masyadong prepared at naging alerto dahil naging biglaan ang lahat.” she said.
At the height of the devastation, residents were caught off guard as Ulysses unleashed powerful winds and torrential rain that claimed dozens of lives, and destroyed multitudes of houses. It forced thousands of families to flee from their homes and huddle in 47 evacuation centers — at a time when the country is also facing a deadly global pandemic.
With the vast majority of the place still under waters, and the loss of electricity, Marwin gave more details on how their community struggled to survive from the nightmare. He witnessed how his neighbors had to starve all-day while under the heavy rains and wild wind because of some impediments in rescue and assistance.
“Meron naman po [assistance] medyo nakakalungkot nga lang kasi delayed. Karamihan sa mga kapitbahay namin walang dala [gamit at pagkain] and nagkaroon lang ng tulong gabi na. Wala silang pamalit or kain nang umaga hanggang gabi.”
Marwin finds it hard to imagine how life will go on considering the dreadful aftermath of the typhoon, but being the decision-maker in the family, he had to always foresee some opportunities to bounce back even at the time when their home is being taken away from them by the flood waters.
"Honestly sobrang hirap na nakikita mong inaabot na ng baha yung bahay nyo and nag-start nang lumutang yung mga gamit nyo kasi naiisip mo na agad yung mga possibilities after the typhoon.”
Notwithstanding the great loss in their properties, Marwin still thinks of his education…
"Up until now, pinipilit kong iupdate [ang sarili ko] kasi mas malaking kawalan para sa akin na estudyante yung pagaaral ko kumpara sa mga gamit. For me hindi biro kasi we need to keep online for classes and yet months ang bibilangin ng internet and electricity to resume. Medyo kinakabahan as of now kasi baka hindi ako makahabol."
Despite the frightful experience, Marwin remains optimistic to overcome these challenges in their lives, at the same time hopes that concrete planning and actions would be implemented by their leaders for a more prepared community.
“Para sakin, hindi sapat yung “resiliency” lang sa ganitong sitwasyon. Kaylangan din ng plano at aksyon kasi mahirap bumangon kung hindi kikilos. Mahalagang maging matatag pero mas mahalaga ang kahandaan.” He said.
Meanwhile, Isaac wishes to express her gratitude to her friends in the university for their outpouring support to her education and their immediate needs.
"Nalilito ako kung ano’ng uunahin ko, school works ba o yung paghahanap ng tutulong sa amin. Thankful ako kasi nandiyan yung mga kaibigan ko."
Isaac and Marwin's flight to reaching their dreams and aspirations may seem long and uncertain for now. However, they promise to focus on surviving the academic year being steadfast and greater than any adversities that may come their way.
References:
[1] Madarang, C. R. S. (13 November, 2020). Extension of deadlines urged to help students, teachers recover from ‘Ulysses’. Interaksyon.PhilStar. https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2020/11/13/180478/extension-of-deadlines-urged-to-help-students-teachers-recover-from-ulysses/
[2] Beech, H. and Gutierrez, J. (1 November, 2020). A typhoon spared the Philippine capital. Will manila be so lucky next time? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/01/world/asia/typhoon-goni-philippines-manila.html
[3] Malipot, M. H. (16 November, 2020). 11 M students affected by suspension of classes. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/16/11-m-students-affected-by-suspension-of-classes/
[4] NASA Earth Observatory. (11 November, 2020). Vamco thrashes the Philippines. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/147525/vamco-thrashes-the-philippines
[5] UNICEF Philippines. (12 November, 2020). UNICEF expresses concern about situation of children affected by typhoons in the Philippines. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-expresses-concern-about-situation-children-affected-typhoons-philippines
[6] Servallos, N. J. and Cabrera, R. (13 November 2020). Worse than Ondoy: typhoon Ulysses triggers massive flooding in MM, Rizal, other areas; residents caught by surprise. One News. https://www.onenews.ph/worse-than-ondoy-typhoon-ulysses-triggers-massive-flooding-in-mm-rizal-other-areas-residents-caught-by-surprise
