Our Pasig experience

In lieu of my regular Sunday column, allow me to share with you my experience during Typhoon Ondoy, which hit Metro Manila last weekend. 

I woke up Saturday morning hearing heavy rainfall but not knowing this was the start of a nightmare that would change my life forever. The waters seemed so alive as they swiftly rose almost up to five feet. It felt strange as the rain grew stronger and regular shows on TV were interrupted with urgent news updates about the state of calamity in Metro Manila, particularly Pasig City.

Sunday came and I felt very uneasy at home knowing that a lot of people needed help. I wanted to see how I could help when I heard that my brother Roman was at the Rosario bridge coordinating with military officers on how to save those trapped in their homes and on their roofs I decided to go to Rosario bridge and see how else I could help.

MANILA, Philippines - It was heartbreaking to see all the faces of relatives waiting for their loved ones who were out there in the flooded areas. Paeng Nepumuceno swam through the flood to save his dad who suffered a mild stroke and his mom who was stuck in their home in barangay Sta Lucia. There were hundreds of men and women crying for help, giving rescuers their relatives’ names and addresses.

Rosario bridge was different that day. It was not the normal traffic that you would encounter on the way to Antipolo. Instead, at the end of the bridge, the floods had almost wiped out homes and streets. Later in the day, men and women with kind hearts came in carrying rubber boats to save people. I saw friends like Sonny Bitong of Bayo coming in with two boats asking me how else they could help.

The water current in the Pasig area was getting stronger, making it harder for rescuers in rubber boats to penetrate the inner areas because of the sharp rooftop edges were made out of aluminum. Military trucks were parked everywhere with amphibians coming in, hoping to support the rubber boats.

I would like to thank our military personnel who risked their lives. Most of them worked nonstop for days just to assist everyone asking for help, and our church leaders who kept the faith for those who were distressed.

These past days, I saw the best in us Filipinos. Friends came in volunteering to their time and relief goods. There were those packed goods, distributed relief packs, and continued to pray for the victims.

As I write this article, many of my fellow Pasiguenos still need your help. It is not true that Pasig City is overloaded with relief goods. We still have 10 barangays that are flooded and need help. Our donations of two to three kilos of rice, cans of sardines and mineral water will only last a few days for a family that has more than three children. Our government officials and church are trying their best to reach out to everyone but I encourage the private sector to please continue with their support in helping not only the people in Pasig but also all the other towns and cities that have suffered the same fate.

Though our hearts are broken and countless people have lost their homes and loved ones, this tragedy has showed us that if we work together we can achieve a lot. Let us all look forward to a new tomorrow filled with hope and new dreams for our country.