Suroy- suroy: San Remegio, Cebu (Yolanda Rescue Volunteer)

         

          Supertyphoon Yolanda destroyed not only the city of Tacloban and some parts of Leyte but also the provinces in Northern Cebu. The damage may not be as bad as in Tacloban but people too still hunger and thirst. Also, their houses that are made out of light materials have been blown away or have been crushed by trees.They have no food; water and shelter. 

            I, together with my friends from the SK(Sangguniang Kabataan) gathered to help aid Moie's (a friend of ours) relatives and neighbors in San Remegio. The group was able to gather donations like clothes, canned goods, and things for personal necessities also money which we used to buy bottles of water and biscuits which we repacked overnight. On the way, we could really see the traces left by the typhoon. The the bent electricty posts and cable wires, the uprooted trees, houses with no roofs and the people, most especially kids waiting along highways for food. A tear honestly fell from our eyes when we saw how the people are living 1 week after the tragedy.

It was 7am when we arrived to the place and distributed the goods that we had. Since there were only 8 of us, we were not able to control the crowd. I cannot blame them for acting like it's as if they are being selfish because they barely have nothing to feed themselves. If only we have enough money to aid each one of them. We even asked a woman to talk for us about their problems and the things that should be done. She even mentioned something about goods that was supposed to arrive that is why people were gathered around the area.

I saw hope in their eyes especially when I see them smile after receiving their share. My heart just melts everytime I hear them say "Salamat kaayo!" (Thank you!) even if there were only some of them who said it. They were very hospitable and even asked us if we want Coconuts! Even if they had nothing, they still offered. They are victims, they should be sad but instead, they chatted and laughed and shared and cared and most especially loved. 

       The place is very rich. They have good soil for their crops. They have a lot of coconut, banana and mango trees but most of these trees have been uprooted. Their coconut trees, if not bent, their fruits have fallen. Banana trees have been bent into halfs too. We even picked good fruits that have fallen into the ground so that we can still make use of it. Eat it. Para dili sayang sad ba! I hope they too can make use of them. Coconut water isn't that bad. They could actually use the leaves for their temporary roofs. Just saying.

        If only we have more than enough to give, we would be able to help even those people we happen to pass by on our way home. Seeing them with their printed cardboards saying "Help!", "Tabangi intawn mi", "Help us! We need food and water". It breaks my heart to know that there are still people who were not able to receive help. I mean, WHERE ARE ALL THE RELIEF GOODS WE PACKED? WHERE'S THE BILLIONS OF MONEY DONATED BY OTHER COUNTRIES? But I know for sure that it is also not that easy BUT, these people NEED HELP! 

       The goods that we had is not enough for them. We are just young individuals who wants to help. If only a lot more people cared, maybe mas daghan siguro tag maihatag nila. Amidst everything, I am happy to be part of the 8 people who visited San Remegio and extended help there. I feel so blessed that I was able to share what I had and I too feel proud that we were able to do it all on our own but of course with the help of our friends who donated cash and goods.To the people of San Remegio and other affected provinces, you are not alone. Help is on the way. Just be patient and we'll get through this together. And in behalf of the team and the people who received their share, THANK YOU DONORS! And THANK YOU FRIENDS! GOD BLESS YOUR KINDS HEARTS ALWAYS! 

 

THAT SURE WAS SUCCESSFUL!