CEBU, Philippines - Not a fancy car, a dream house, or education for their kids.
For two Muslim fathers who have seen their hometown of Marawi City ravaged by war, the best gift this Father’s Day comes in the form of a complete family here in Cebu City, safe and away from the sound of snipers and explosions.
Cader Matonding and Ador Macamimis stood as the pillars of strength for their families at a time when even they themselves thought it was the end of everything.
Matonding, 53, has seven children. He was standing outside their house in Marawi when bursts of gunfire rang in the vicinity on May 23, the first day of the siege.
It was followed by neighbors running in panic and smokes billowing from burning structures from afar.
Fearing for his and his family’s lives, Matonding finally decided to leave the city where he was born and raised.
He did not mind leaving their belongings, saying ensuring his family’s security was the call of the day.
“Nanghigda mi pagdungog. Malakas yung bomba. Huna-huna nako akong pamilya,” he told The FREEMAN at the Cebu City Hall plaza on Friday where he joined fellow evacuees in receiving bags of goodies from the city government.
Matonding’s family arrived in Cebu City on June 7. They’re presently staying in the house of his wife’s relatives in Barangay Cogon-Pardo.
“Lisod kaayo namalhin mi diri. Wala gyud mi kwarta. P500 lang ang kwarta ko pag-ari diri,” he said.
While waiting for the clashes to end, Matonding plans to put up a small business in Cebu.
Today, Matonding said it will be enough for him to spend time with his family.
The 62-year-old Macamimis, on the other hand, led the escape of his four children and four grandchildren from the war zone.
He was working when the terrorists barged into the city last month. His entire family was left in the house.
“Pagkadungog nako sa buto-buto, niuli ko. Mga bata akong giuna. Didto mi nipuyo sa Iligan,” he said. His family arrived in Cebu City four days after the attack.
Like Matonding, Macamimis is also content with spending this day with his family.
“Wala na koy ibang panalangin, safe akong pamilya lang,” he said. —/JMD (FREEMAN)