The Chuck Norris boat

We called our mode of transportation “the Chuck Norris boat.” Anyone familiar with his movies would immediately remember the airboat with the giant “electric fan” at the rear, that he uses to cross swamps (Circa 1980).

Baranggay Buterin in Mother Kabuntalan Cotabato is a bird watcher’s paradise. There were huge birds with wingspans so wide. Everything was green, the mountain ranges were clearly in view. Beautiful water hyacinth surrounded us. It was very peaceful, as the airboat sped slicing the waters and crossing the tall lilies effortlessly.

We were surrounded by water... oh, so tranquil! Then out of nowhere were the cows standing on the water! “What?” My friend and colleague, Kristine and I knowingly stared at each other. “Where did they come from?!” Have the water hyacinth gone so thick that the cows are able to stand on them? Whoa!  

Obviously, the residents have devised a way of bringing the animals to higher ground after two months of high waters.

Residents have accustomed themselves to this way of wet living. Even waving at us with smiles on their faces despite being stuck in their homes with limited food supply.  

They are grateful for the relief goods that have sustained them for the past months, but whether or not aid comes, they intend to stay. Including 26-year-old Sambran who has just given birth three months ago. Her family took shelter in a health center along with nine other families since the water rose. “Fortunately, we have been receiving relief goods ever since we moved here.” Her husband is a fisherman. What he earns is enough for the family, she says, but is quick to add, “but we are thankful for people who help”  

We distributed relief goods from the health center, the only place that seemed sturdy and dry enough to hold us. Later, little bancas approached us with men, women and children on board.  The relief goods were being passed from one banca to another. They uttered: “Sukran” ... is Moro for thank you.  

I worry. In spite of their genuine appreciation, relief goods will not sustain them.  We have accomplished something, for now.  The problem with the water hyacinth has to be solved soonest, but it would take a long-term solution; a question of political will in an area that is challenged by nature and insurgency... politics. 

Broadcast journalist Tony Velasquez grew up in Retiro, Quezon City — thousands of miles from Kabuntalan, Cotabato, but he shares a similar story. Every year, during the rainy season, water would rise up to four feet! Their appliances — stereo systems as huge as cabinets, naturally, were impossible to save. Why didn’t they leave the place? “My parents probably were sentimental. We only left the place when we were all grown up.”

It’s been raining for days. Go away!  Here we are again: Casualties. Floods that damage farms and infrastructures. The good news is, we are more prepared. 

Marikina residents are quick in evacuating their homes after warning from the authorities. They learned their lesson from Ondoy.

And we have learned ours. 

Sagip Kapamilya distributed relief goods in various areas of Cotabato. It is never enough. Never. A local politician said, it may be only a few relief goods, but if everybody helps then it will be more than enough. Ondoy taught us a more important value than preparedness. It brought out the bayanihan spirit in the Filipinos, giving hope to the victims. Hope is what sustains flood victims like Sambran.