Archive for the ‘Inspiring Stories’ Category

The best Filipinos in the worst of times

By Tony Meloto (The Philippine Star) Updated October 05, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – The morning after typhoon “Ondoy” (Ketsana internationally) was like waking up from one’s worst nightmare. But harrowing as it was, it was a defining moment. The worst of times brings out the best in the Filipino.

With my son Jay and friend Benjie, I went at daybreak to survey the extent of the devastation. Our first stop was Sitio Ruby, beside La Mesa dam in Quezon City. Village leaders met us with tales of horror and heroism, as floodwaters rose to the rooftops of their multi-colored homes and the ensuing superhuman efforts to save self, loved ones and neighbors. Women and children were evacuated first to concrete structures with second and third floors and areas on high ground starting at noon Saturday, September 26, when it was evident that the rains would not stop. After securing their family, the men living beside the creek started fishing out children swept by the strong current. The hapless victims were mostly informal settlers from neighboring Bagong Barrio, whose shanties were no match to the sudden deluge. Most were saved, a few were lost, with no clear body count yet as they were swept downstream.

Sitio Ruby is a former slum of 5,000 residents that has been transformed into a Gawad Kalinga village. They reported no casualties. According to village leaders Tata and Joseph, it was because the neighborhood was alert and there was a lot of grace because they learned to pray as a community. In the midst of an incomprehensible calamity, incomparable in memory, they were simply grateful to be alive and to be of help to others in greater need.

That first stop started an incredible journey for me, meeting countless heroes and hearing amazing stories of our people’s indomitable spirit and capacity to care, in the sea of human suffering.

My first heroes of the day: the residents of Sitio Ruby – just coming out of danger, without food and water, but quick to organize themselves to deal with the aftermath of a devastation. They helped us set-up the relief center at the chapel for the neighboring communities, while their own homes were still in complete disarray. They knew help would come, as they had been beneficiaries in the past of generosity beyond their expectation, but the priority this time were the less fortunate outside their village. Receivers of hope were now ready to share it with others.

My next heroes are the GK Caretakers of the place, led by Gerry and Willy, members of Couples for Christ who live in exclusive subdivisions but consider the poor as family. They left the safety of their homes to be in solidarity with those who lost theirs. They were there at the crack of dawn to show the villagers that they were not alone. They knew the importance of presence in the lives of the abandoned, before relief goods or medical missions. The rich who care for the poor deserve their wealth on earth and their deposits in heaven.

From Sitio Ruby, we went to Brookside, sandwiched between Filinvest 2 and the Payatas dumpsite in Barangay Bagong Silangan, the hardest hit area in Quezon City in terms of fatalities. There I encountered more Filipinos to be proud of.

Hurriedly passing a red utility van where bodies were loaded, I trudged the muddy road on foot, resisting the urge to look – not in fear, as I helped retrieve dead bodies before from past calamities – but to refrain from being distracted in reaching our village of 300 families at the end of the road. They sent pleas for help all Saturday night, until their phone batteries ran out.

The way was littered with debris and naked children scurrying about, mixing with pigs securely tied on posts to prevent escape. Kids and pigs – precious to those with little else – brought to the safety of higher grounds in the mad scramble for dear life. Most of them came from the bottom of the gully, risking life as informal settlers along the creek that emptied itself in the Marikina River whenever it rained heavily or when the Angat dam overflowed. In their usual rhythm of life, creek dwellers would start scampering up the steep slopes whenever there was heavy downpour and immediately return to their hovels once it stopped. This time however they were not so lucky. The clouds dumped more rain in Metro Manila than Katrina that devastated New Orleans. This Barangay of forgotten Filipinos, known as squatters, lost the race for survival: 32 dead, 108 missing. It could have been more catastrophic if the storm hit at night.

I stopped myself from going down to the basketball court where more unclaimed bodies were laid out, including those of two nameless heroes who died while rescuing others.

They, and many others who lost their lives to save others, are the finest Filipinos during these trying times.

No songs will be written about them; their exploits will soon be forgotten, except perhaps by those who regained their life in exchange for theirs. But I will keep talking about them… and many others like them. Their brand of heroism defines us as a people. It is sacrifice that will make us strong as a nation, giving beyond self for others to live. Even the poorest Filipino is capable of such radical giving.

More tales of greatness greeted me when I finally reached Brookside.

I was met by the half-naked Bernard with fresh lacerations on his chest, battle wounds from this recent bout with nature for survival. With other members of the Kapitbahayan, they saved over a hundred women and children in a dramatic seven hour rescue operation, traversing through rooftops of GK row-houses which withstood strong current and served as bridge to safety; batya with babies and makeshift rafts fashioned out of banana trunks and rope were used to reach the perimeter wall of the neighboring affluent village where they were welcomed with open arms and provided food, water and dry clothes by concerned residents. It took a calamity to cross the wall of mistrust that separated the haves and the have-nots for years.

It took a tragedy for the rich to turn despair to hope and become heroes themselves.

Inside Brookside, a soup kitchen was in progress, organized by former Rotary president Jess with wife Helen, now Caretakers of the village. Like Sitio Ruby, there was no casualty in the place, and, despite extensive loss of possessions, we figured it would not take long for the community to rebound. We estimated an immediate need for 1,300 food packs and bottled water, 300 for the village, 1,000 for the surrounding areas. Under the direction of Sister Angie of the Franciscan Sisters of Charity and community volunteer Rabbi, an efficient distribution system manned by village officers was instantly put in place. We left Brookside with the promise to come back before nightfall to bring the much needed supplies.

I went to Cervini in Ateneo with my wife and children and one-year old granddaughter Tala in tow, which turned into a beehive of activities as volunteers and donations poured in as soon as university president Fr. Ben sounded the call. Relief operations had to be moved to the covered courts to accommodate the swelling crowd.

Tragedy brought out the innate idealism of youth. After all nations in the past were built by their young patriots who fought their wars. I saw that afternoon in this exclusive school many young heroes -from sheltered homes, with parents who possess wealth and power- coming out of their closet. I saw in their faces the great country that we are not yet… but soon will be… if we keep this up. Greatness will come to us once we get out of our artificial bubble of affluence to be in the real world of the abandoned and the neglected.

We went back to Bagong Silangan in a convoy of four vans loaded with supplies, passing by for my British son-in-law Dylan, who bought bottled water and canned goods at newly opened Shopwise. The line to the cash register took him two hours, as shelves were being emptied by eager shoppers, not in a frenzy of panic buying to hoard for self, but to help others. This was another amazing phenomenon.

The mood of the moment was inclusive… as it should always be. The pain of every Filipino is our pain.

We stayed at Brookside until nightfall. The need was immense but the spirit was hopeful. They knew that they now have a lifeline with brethrens and friends who have a covenant with God not to abandon them. Sleep came late, but it was peaceful.

I was up early the following day to join QC Mayor Sonny at the flag raising ceremony at the city hall, where I signed an agreement with generous land donor Sandra to relocate scavengers living dangerously in the dumpsite of Payatas. The effort of local government to do land-banking , 62,000 home lots to-date, to reduce squatting and transform slums into viable communities with us, will lessen their burden with the poor when calamity strikes. I see effective leadership in this city where I live, not only in the wide streets and improved facilities due to better fiscal policies and reduced corruption, but in their new thrust to do ground-up community development work, starting in the 84 GK villages and rapidly increasing. I hope this initiative will continue after next year’s election.

There is great power in public-private partnership. The private sector is a sleeping giant of patriots and heroes waiting to be awakened by great causes and great leaders.

I saw many of them at the RFM gym where Operation Walang Iwanan was in progress, an initiative of GK head Luis with the Concepcion brothers, Joey and John. They were there to meet the immeasurable need for immediate relief head on, believing in the Filipinos immense capacity to care. They were right. Thousands of volunteers came – rich and poor alike, from nearby plush villages and GK communities. They came – and opened the floodgates of generosity unseen by many before. In six days of festive nobility, over 6,000 volunteers processed and delivered 182,000 food packs, with thousands more on the ground. Donors who came, including top CEOs, marveled at the fast and efficient system when there is synergy and convergence. AFP Chief Bong, a friend of GK since its early days, provided us with seven military trucks and escorts to reach the most number of victims in the most difficult to reach areas of Marikina, Cainta, Taguig, Pasig and Pateros. GK communities in those places, in coordination with the LGU, became effective and peaceful sites for distribution.

It is heartening for us to experience the extensive goodwill that we have planted on the ground and patiently nurtured over the years. We have the massive platform now to expand our reach at the relief stage and later on, in the more challenging work of rehabilitation and rebuilding.

With the help of the global community that is starting to pour in, we will continue our work of transformation until the Filipino ceases to be a perennial victim in his own country.

That will happen soon if every Filipino decides to be a hero… now. Bawat Pilipino Bayani… Ngayon.

Dear Friends,

It is Day 5 of Operation Walang Iwanan, and once again we are humbled to see the response of our partners, but also challenged every time we hear and see the great need in the communities that we serve and the appeal of so many others that we have yet to reach.

With the grace of God, the generous support of our partners, and the tireless commitment of over 4,700 GK volunteers in the headquarters and countless GK Kapitbahayan and caretaker teams in our command centers, Operation Walang Iwanan has delivered 93,388 food packs as of end-day October 1, 2009.

BUT IT IS A LONG WAY TO GO, AND WE NEED YOUR HELP TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES WILL NOT GO HUNGRY ESPECIALLY AS TYPHOON PEPENG THREATENS TO CAUSE MORE DEVASTATION.

It is hard to believe, but some of the areas we serve still have no power and are still under water. As rains come in from Typhoon Pepeng, they will be all the more vulnerable and will need our help, now more than ever.

As you may have seen in the advisory, GK also decided to close our volunteer operations today due to Typhoon Pepeng, and we were ready to operate with just a small team of about 20 GK fulltime workers to man the headquarters. Yet we are seeing a steady influx of volunteers who have told us that they still want to serve, at least for this morning, because they know that the communities need the relief goods especially with this new typhoon coming in.

The Headquarters continues to accept donations in kind, and you may check www.gk1world.com to see how you can also donate cash which we badly need to purchase the most urgent items like rice, canned goods, instant noodles and medicines. We also have strong support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the delivery of food packs to hard-to-reach areas, as well as security for our volunteers.

Today, allow us to honor and thank all the heroes abroad who have not forgotten the motherland, and are also doing their share to make sure that the victims of Ondoy get the support that they need to survive.

(Again, apologies to those I may have missed. The Lord knows what you are all doing, and that’s all that really matters!)

As early as September 28, I got this from Franny Castro of LA that they were going to donate all proceeds from their upcoming Hero’s Run in Long Beach for the Typhoon Relief efforts :

“I’m sure that many of you have already heard about the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines. It hit Manila, the most developed part of our country. Water filled up homes, moved cars, and perhaps even took some people’s lives. Sadly, many GK villages were affected. But this time even the rich were affected as well. God’s timing is really perfect, because in less than two weeks it’s Hero’s Run. Perhaps, God is knocking at our hearts again and telling us to “MOVE”. Although I am richly blessed, I have been too complacent in my part to help. So this time I am begging you to register for Hero’s Run, even if it’s just the 5K (heck you can walk it if you have to) and raise at least $100.00. If we can all get an additional 10 people to register and raise a minimum of $100, we all know that it will go a long, long way.”

All over the world, we know that people have been mobilizing activities to help raise funds, or gather relief goods for the victims. We also want to thank all our friends in the medical profession, our volunteers and partners all over the US who have generously given their resources so we can buy medicines. We have been getting reports of people with swollen legs due to infections from wounds and lesions, and from being under water for too long, and children are succumbing to sickness. Your generosity is matched by the courage and commitment of our GK Health workers who are doing medical missions non-stop and providing medical attention to families that need it the most.

We know that GK Hope Initiative-Singapore is also trying their best to send much needed supplies and are sending a contingent to the Philippines to help with medical missions and to also bring attention to what we’re doing here. There is so much that we are doing that is truly inspiring, and we need more people to share the good news so that they can be inspired to do their own share.

This morning, I saw a video made by Pro-NFL player and GK supporter Eugene Amano, calling on everyone to give cash donations for GK’s relief efforts (www.eugeneamano.com) which will be aired during their game on Sunday. In the Philippines, we saw the power of celebrities using their fame to raise awareness and funds. It is heartwarming to see these talented and young Fil-Ams using their influence to bring attention to these issues and raise resources for the poor families that we serve.

We have been receiving emails from all over the world that show us that our brethren abroad are in solidarity with us, and this gives us the strength to continue the mission. Thank you for all that you are doing, and for all that you will continue to do with us as the years go by. It is a long way to go as we battle poverty, but it is our solidarity and being our brothers’ keeper that will change the Philippines, and the rest of the world.

A friend shared this News comment of an American Dweller in the Phils.: “I wish you all could see the amazing community spirit, charity & compassion in the Phils. People here…… have less to give, yet they are giving ABUNDANTLY. There is such a greater story than just the ‘death toll.’

We could not agree more. There is so much devastation, but there is also so much heroism.

Allow me to end by asking you to join us in prayer as we ask the Lord to spare our country from the devastating effects of this super typhoon Pepeng, and as we intercede for all those families who remain victims of Ondoy and all the relief workers who are out there in the field, risking their lives to serve our countrymen.

Bawat Pilipino Bayani! Walang Iwanan!
Ikaw, anong taya mo para sa Bayan?

9-YEAR OLD DONATES HIS PIGGY BANK
(October 1) RFM Gym, Mandaluyong – At 11 am today, a 9-year old boy accompanied by his mother went to the Operation Walang Iwanan Headquarters at the RFM Gym today carrying a blue house-shaped can filled with his savings. Peter Kerbie Batacan offered his savings to help GK communities affected by Typhoon Ondoy.   Asked how long he saved it for, he said “for a long time” since he was setting aside portions of his baon (allowance) to buy battery for his PSP. But at such a young age, he already understood that whatever small contribution he can make would go a long way to providing basic needs to poor communities still submerged in water and needing food and medicines.  Upon seeing the plight of the typhoon victims on television, he told his mother he will donate his savings. Peter also stayed for a while at the RFM gym to help in the repacking of relief goods. Indeed, no one is too small to be a hero.
 
50 ATENEO VOLUNTEERS START CLEAN-UP AT GK BROOKSIDE
(October 1) Brookside, Quezon City – Fifty GK volunteers from Ateneo journeyed to GK Brookside yesterday on 10 vans to help the community clean up debris and mud in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy. The volunteers arrived at 1 pm to find Sibol teachers hauling water from the SIBOL school. The residents said that the waters reached the roof of the SIBOL school and the families moved to the multi-purpose hall on the third floor.  The teachers reported that all the books and computers at the community library were destroyed by the flood. They are  very grateful that all of the GK families are safe. The GK residents were in good spirits when the volunteers arrived, thanking them for their help. Atenean GK volunteer Michelle Solano said she was inspired by the spirit of the GK residents who cleaned up their homes and community as soon as the waters have receded. “Despite what happened, they weren’t sad, they started picking up the pieces and cleaning.” A medical mission is also in place at the GK community.
The volunteers helped clean up the school at the Sibol school, improvising a make-shift dam out of fallen coconut trees for the water they hauled out. When it was time to go, the volunteers opted to stay longer saying that: “We want to finish what we started.”
GK Isang Milyong Bayani are mobilizing for a massive clean-up operations on Saturday (October 3) in Marikina particularly GK Camacho village, in the area hardest hit by the typhoon. For more updates on GK Operation Walang Iwanan, please visit www.gk1world.com where many GK volunteers are helping repack goods to be distributed to affected GK communities. 
 
NO ONE TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL
(September 30) RFM Gym – The Headquarters for GK Operation Walang Iwanan was surprised to see a good number of volunteers coming in at 7 AM!  Call center employees from Accenture, dressed in their corporate clothes and straight from their shift, came to sign up and help us repack.  This allowed us to send goods to some communities and ensure that the families had something to eat for breakfast after a long night. 
Our friends from other countries also came to help – we had volunteers from as far as Germany, the US, Saudi Arabia, China and Australia!  They were joined by countless friends from the entertainment industry who took time out to help (You know who you are, thank you!)

The people in the donations receiving area also had unexpected guests.  Five SAGIP kids (members of GK’s Sagip program for 7-12 year olds) arrived carrying plastic bags, containing their used clothes and slippers.  They were all wearing an old pair, and had decided to donate their new pair of slippers.  When they were asked why, they simply said, “Binigyan na kami ng bahay ng GK.  Dapat kami naman ang mag-share.” (GK has already given us a home, now it’s our time to share)

This inspired the volunteers (mostly students from GK sites and exclusive schools) in the headquarters so much, that they were challenged to also share more than just their time.  Whenever we ran out of plastic bags for the food packs, we would call out to volunteers in the bayanihan line to also pass the hat and give whatever they could, and this is what GK used to purchase additional bags.
 
MISSION READY
(September 30) Tatalon, Quezon City – Our heroic friends from the medical profession were also at the forefront of Operation Walang Iwanan!  Dr. Pabic did non-stop consultations and treatments since Sunday, seeing almost 600 patients a day in Tatalon, Quezon City.  The need was massive, because residents were victims of both the flooding and a fire that razed thru their community!
Our Health Care Volunteers (GK residents who are trained for paramedical services) in Brookside, Quezon City were equally inspiring, as they helped in the medical missions despite the fact that they themselves were victims and were still trying to pick up the pieces after the storm.

The Headquarters also deployed a medical team from the University of the East to the Napindan area in Taguig, a community that was still under water as of yesterday.  With their supplies on hand, they braved the area and were able to provide medical attention to families who were in bad shape, needing treatment for swollen legs due to wounds and lesions and the fact that they had been under water for over 3 days already!

We thank USTMAA and Gawad Kalusugan USA for sending much needed funds for the medical missions, but we need so much more!  And we invite our friends in the medical profession to please sign up at our headquarters so you can share your talents to families that really need your help.
 
AIN’T NO RIVER WIDE (OR DEEP) ENOUGH
(September 30) Caliuag, Pasig – GK met with Tito Rey Gajo, one of the countless GK heroes who are out there in the field, quietly doing the work without fanfare or recognition.  He and a team of GK volunteers who are Singles for Christ members led by Julius Ulep had received the call from GK last Monday September 28, to help distribute relief goods for GK Caliuag, Pasig, an area that they knew was still under water.

That also meant that the families were still stranded and needed the relief goods the most, so he organized a team and set out to deliver the goods.  It was late at night, and there was no available transportation because the water was still neck deep.  The team came up with a creative solution – they gathered scrap wood and water containers that they could find and built their own makeshift banca to transport the relief goods.

These courageous GK volunteers braved the floodwaters, and walked the whole way to push the banca and transport the goods.  They arrived in the site at almost midnight and saw the families cold and hungry, and just endlessly grateful for the relief goods that would get them through the night.

Day after day, the team continues to deliver relief goods to this area that still remains under water as of September 30.  They have come up with more creative solutions, this time using old tires for the goods, but they still have to walk in chest deep waters everytime to push the makeshift bancas and get the goods safely to the families.

This is Walang Iwanan in its finest and most noble form, and we honor all.
 
“PAMILYA NAMIN SILA” (WE ARE FAMILY)
(September 29) Camacho, Markina – With help from the military, GK was also able to bring relief goods to GK Camacho, Marikina, one of the hardest hit areas.  What we saw was mind-boggling.  Mud everywhere, garbage hanging on electrical lines, cars overturned and piled on top of each other, long lines of people waiting for relief goods.
But this was matched by the bright smiles of the residents, who told us of their sad story but also showed us the indomitable Filipino spirit that simply never gives up.  What was also amazing was our GK caretaker team also lived in Marikina.  They themselves were victims of the disaster, but they delivered water and some basic goods to the community as soon as they could, even before any relief goods could come in.

We also saw some old clothes that were being distributed, and heard that this was from the SIGA (GK youth group) from GK Amparo and GK Ragojos in Quezon City.  We had no idea where they were able to get old clothes, but it was inspiring to see that our GK residents from non-affected areas, especially the youth, were at the forefront of the relief and rescue operations.  We also saw GK Bayan-anihan’s Noi Quesada and her 4 daughters, shovels and garbage bags in hand, helping clean the homes of the residents.  “We didn’t have much financial resources to share, but I know there’s something we can do to help.”
 
 “MAAASAHAN NYO KAMI” (YOU CAN COUNT ON US)
(Sept 29) Selecta Village, Cainta – Since the storm, GK had been trying to penetrate Cainta or at least get reports from the communities, but it was hard because power had not yet been restored and there was no means of communication for many of them.  Yesterday, we were finally able to hear from them, and once again, families said that flood waters had risen almost to the second floor, but that their homes were sturdy and they were all okay.

Consultation with the caretaker team and Kapitbahayan leaders yielded a quick decision : GK Selecta would become a command center for relief distribution to other badly hit areas near them in Taytay and Cainta, like Tawi-Tawi, Napico, Karangalan, Hapay na Mangga and Balagot.

GK delivered almost 2,000 packed goods to them at 8 PM, which they stored in their multi purpose center.  When we left, they were organizing their bayanihan action teams for distribution to other sites.  They even told us, “Umuwi na kayo – kaya na namin ito.  Maaasahan ninyo kami. Walang Iwanan!” (You can go home now, we can handle this.  You can count on us. Let us leave no one behind!).
These words were what we carried with us as we headed back to headquarters. When we got back, the team proudly announced that we had distributed a total of 15,000 food packs have been sent out to our command centers.  But there is so much more to be done.  So many families out there need our help.

But it is amazing to know that we now have our GK Kapitbahayan as partners in the mission.  From beneficiary to benefactor.  No one is too poor that he cannot give anything.  Bawat Pilipino Bayani! 

Please allow us to honor our armed personnel, who are with us in the field, conducting relief and rescue operations, even when their very own families are also in need.   We honor the Armed Forces of the Philippines, mga Bayaning Kawal for helping deliver and secure the goods for the operations and facilitating a faster delivery of food to the communities.  Thank you in particular to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Chief of Staff Bong Ibrado, Col. Charlie Galvez, Brigadeir General Natalio Ecarma, Deputy Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps.

Thank you for dedicating your life to the Filipino people.  GK will intensify our efforts to help make sure you and your families live in dignity. 

Walang Iwanan!

BAWAT PILIPINO BAYANI

(Sept. 28) Buayang Bato, Mandaluyong -Within hours, GK saw its first heroes. GK beneficiaries immediately signed up to help with the repacking of goods. They had already finished cleaning up their own homes, and upon realizing the devastation in other areas, the Kapitbahayan immediately mobilized and set up bayanihan action teams to do volunteer shifts in the Operation GK Walang Iwanan Headquarters at the RFM Gym along Pioneer St. Mandaluyong City.

This confirmed the strategy of using existing GK villages as command centers to help distribute relief goods to nearby affected areas.  We knew we could count on our GK Kapitbahayan (neighborhood association of GK beneficiaries) to help us get organized, and to reach out to other communities in need.

Corporate partners like Globe, Meralco, Nestle, RFM and Selecta also began sending their donations in cash and kind, and volunteers from universities also came to help. Fedex and other trucking companies also offered their services to deliver the relief goods.

It was an amazing sight to see the social divides disappear, as GK beneficiaries joined the bayanihan line with students from exclusive schools as they did the repacking and distribution.

Activities commenced at 6 PM, and volunteers kept doing their work until 3 AM to make sure that command centers would get relief goods early the next day.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AT ITS BEST

(Septe. 28) Napindan, Taguig – With help from the Philippine Marines, GK leaders were also able to penetrate GK Napindan, Taguig at around 6:00 PM.  This was a GK community that had been stranded and under water for over 48 hours, and had survived with very little food or water.  Our team expected to see a mob of hungry families, but upon seeing the truck of relief goods, the GK Kapitbahayan immediately organized themselves and their residents.  They lined up in knee-deep water, and it became one of the fastest and most organized relief distributions that GK has seen.

This was GK’s community empowerment and servant leadership at its best, and it was humbling to see them practice this despite the devastation and their great need.

They informed us that many of them already had swollen legs from wounds and lesions, and on September 30, a medical team of doctors, nurses and medical students from UE will be conducting a medical mission for these families.

We were also informed that USTMAA will be sending funds through their Kalinga Tomasino campaign, to be used to buy much needed medicines for the medical missions in various command centers.  As the relief progresses, medicines will be critical as more families fall ill due to their situation.

At the end of Day 1, GK was able to send out about 2,000 food packs to 6 of the 10 command centers.  This translates to about 10,000 individuals fed in the first 6 hours of operation.

“UNAHIN NYO NA ANG MAS NANGANGAILANGAN.”

(ADDRESS FIRST THOSE WHO ARE IN MOST NEED)

(Sept. 28) Baseco, Tondo – GK went with Nestle’s David Laurel, who happily reported to us that Nestle CEO Nandu Nandkishore’s birthday party in GK Baseco, Tondo pushed through because the GK Kapitbahayan said they were in good shape and were more than willing to celebrate this special day with him and other Nestle employees.  David shared that he was touched to see how the residents all around Baseco (not just in the Nestle village) had already cleaned up the community, and were just happy and grateful that they were not as devastated as the other areas.

He was surprised to know that Baseco was originally in the list of command centers, the caretaker team and the GK Kapitbahayan leaders themselves decided that relief goods should just be sent to other areas that needed it more, because they could manage their own needs.  Floodwaters had also risen in their area, and some of their personal belongings had been affected, but they gave way to other families who had lost everything and badly needed whatever relief they could get.

THE WORLD RESPONDS

(Sept. 29) GK woke up to more good news as the sun showed itself today. ANCOP USA pledged Php 1 Million for GK’s relief efforts. GKAL USA was also sending funds for medical missions, and Condura was giving us 4,000 food packs!

We heard news that the GK Hero’s Run in the US would dedicate their funds for relief efforts, and that GK HI Singapore was already mobilizing resources to send to the Philippines!

PADALA MULA PROBINSIYA

(Sept. 29) We were also getting texts from the provinces who wanted to help.  GK Masbate, often a beneficiary themselves because of the many typhoons that hit them, was sending us P5,000 as their humble contribution.  Our brethren from Mindanao, like Davao and Kidapawan, were also mobilizing to send both goods and cash.  These are not big amounts, but it comes from big hearts, and it will go a long way.

“OK NA KAMI. SILA NAMAN.” (WE ARE OKAY.  TAKE CARE OF THEM)

(Sept. 29) Sitio Pajo, Quezon City – In GK Sitio Pajo, the creek overflowed and water reached the second floor.  Most of the families were evacuated, and had to use a rope to keep them from getting swept away by the floodwaters.  But those in the inner areas were stranded and it was the sturdy row housing that provided safety to them and their families.

Edgar Amaga, a GK beneficiary from Bagong Silang, Caloocan who oversees the construction in Sitio Pajo just called his family to check on their situation, and upon finding out that they were okay, decided to stay there for the rescue, evacuation and relief efforts because he knew he was needed there more.  Someone even showed us a video of GK residents putting up the rope rescue system to help the families evacuate.

Operation GK Walang Iwanan sent relief goods to Sitio Pajo since Sept. 28, but upon arriving there, we were surprised to see a relatively clean community.   GK Kapitbahayan had organized themselves into clean up teams, and were already at work trying to restore the community.  GK had been sending relief goods to them and to their neighbors for two days, but it was the GK Kapitbahayan community leaders themselves that told us that they no longer needed food packs, and that other areas probably needed it more.

Once again, residents came up to tell us that they were willing to sign up and help in whatever way they could.  They knew it was time to pay it forward.

“PAMILYA NAMIN SILA.”

(WE ARE FAMILY.)

(Sept. 29) Camacho, Markina - With help from the military, GK was also able to bring relief goods to GK Camacho, Marikina, one of the hardest hit areas.  What we saw was mind-boggling.  Mud everywhere, garbage hanging on electrical lines, cars overturned and piled on top of each other, long lines of people waiting for relief goods.

But this was matched by the bright smiles of the residents, who told us of their sad story but also showed us the indomitable Filipino spirit that simply never gives up.  What was also amazing was our GK caretaker team also lived in Marikina.  They themselves were victims of the disaster, but they delivered water and some basic goods to the community as soon as they could, even before any relief goods could come in.

We also saw some old clothes that were being distributed, and heard that this was from the SIGA (GK youth group) from GK Amparo and GK Ragojos in Quezon City.  We had no idea where they were able to get old clothes, but it was inspiring to see that our GK residents from non-affected areas, especially the youth, were at the forefront of the relief and rescue operations.  We also saw GK Bayan-anihan’s Noi Quesada and her 4 daughters, shovels and garbage bags in hand, helping clean the homes of the residents.  “We didn’t have much financial resources to share, but I know there’s something we can do to help.”

Volunteers are now being mobilized to help in the clean ups in the coming days.

“MAAASAHAN NYO KAMI.”

(YOU CAN COUNT ON US)

(Sept. 29) Selecta Village, Cainta – Since the storm, GK had been trying to penetrate Cainta or at least get reports from the communities, but it was hard because power had not yet been restored and there was no means of communication for many of them.  But today, we were finally able to hear from them, and once again, families said that flood waters had risen almost to the second floor, but that their homes were sturdy and they were all okay.

Consultation with the caretaker team and Kapitbahayan leaders yielded a quick decision : GK Selecta would become a command center for relief distribution to other badly hit areas near them in Taytay and Cainta, like Tawi-Tawi, Napico, Karangalan, Hapay na Mangga and Balagot.

GK delivered almost 2,000 packed goods to them at 8 PM, which they stored in their multi purpose center.  When we left, they were organizing their bayanihan action teams for distribution to other sites.  They even told us, “Umuwi na kayo – kaya na namin ito.  Maaasahan ninyo kami. Walang Iwanan!” (You can go home now, we can handle this.  You can count on us. Let us leave no one behind!).

These words were what we carried with us as we headed back to headquarters. When we got back, the team proudly announced that we had distributed a total of 15,000 food packs have been sent out to our command centers.  But there is so much more to be done.  So many families out there need our help.

But it is amazing to know that we now have our GK Kapitbahayan as partners in the mission.  From beneficiary to benefactor.  No one is too poor that he cannot give anything.  Bawat Pilipino Bayani!

Walang Iwanan! (Leaving no one behind).

Ikaw, anong taya mo para sa bayan?

(What is your stake for the country?)

Please allow us to honor our armed personnel, who were with us in the field, conducting relief and rescue operations, even when their very own families were also in need.  Thank you for dedicating your life to the Filipino people.  GK will intensify our efforts to help make sure you and your families live in dignity.  Walang Iwanan!