The residents of Puerto Princesa City might not have expected that they would hug the headlines nor have casualties, as the green island and one of the world’s top tourist spots is not on the typhoon path. It was a different story on 17 December, however, as Typhoon Odette (International Typhoon Rai) pounded Palawan with violent winds, storm surges, and torrential rains, severely damaging those in the southern part.
The devastation was followed by a week of seeming isolation as internet signal and electricity were blown away by the typhoon. And when these were restored, the online world exploded with stories of tragedy. Followed by stories of appeals for help which were responded to with tales of kindness and volunteerism.
Fernandez siblings Laema and Raphael, born in Roxas town, became popular in Puerto Princesa City for their skills and feats in volleyball. These two are often team captains or in the first six in the local and national competitions they have joined.
Laema ecalled how she gradually grew her fear as the rain started to pour, signaling that the eye of the typhoon is soon coming. The rain lasted for a couple of minutes until she decided to stop by their farm—where her parents are currently residing. She checked on her parents who were in good shape and safe after the first minutes of Odette’s teaser. Then she noticed how everything suddenly turned dark.
“Parang seconds lang bigla na dumilim yung sky. Tapos dun na nag-start, pumunta na lang ako at nakisilong sa kapit-bahay kasi di na ako nakaabot sa bahay namin kasi sobrang lakas na ng hangin, ulan, and zero visibility na talaga,” she recalled how she slowly feared the strong gush of the wind that started to crumple the roofs of her neighbors. “Wala kaming ginawa ng mga kapit-bahay ko kundi magdasal lang. Nung time na yun nasa isip ko lang mahihirapan kaming maka-survive kasi 3 hours na di pa din nagbabago yung nangyayari,” she added.
Odette threw tantrums for almost 12 hours in the heart of Palawan down to the southern part.
“Paglabas ko ng house, nakita ko yung mga kapit-bahay kong umiiyak dahil sira yung mga houses nila and tulala lang. Masakit din sa puso ko na makitang wala nang houses yung mga kapit-bahay ko and some of them nawawalan ng loved ones, di pa nakikita and yung iba kumpirmado namang wala na talaga.”
She further added that the cries of her fellow Roxaseños hurt her, giving her the urge to help with all her might, “Kailangan nila ng tulong, kailangan kong tumulong. Nung time nay un, meron agad na willing tumulong pagkatapos kong mag-post sa Facebook. After nun, nag-start na akong mag-seek ng assistance and help sa mga friends ko from Manila,”
The siblings started to organize a donation drive wherein people may drop their donations—in-kind or cash—that they have equally divided to sustain the immediate needs of the residents of Roxas. With a starting amount of Php 2,000, Laema and Raphael were able to maximize and aid hundreds of families within their vicinity.
“Nung una ako palang yung nag-aasikaso, tapos niyaya ko yung mga friends ko and kapit-bahay kung pwede nila akong tulungan mag-grocery and repack ng mga goods. Tapos nung ika-3rd day na since magkakapitbahay kami and magkakaibigan naisip namin na pangalanan nalang yung drive ng ‘Team Kapit-Bahay para sa mga Roxaseños’.”
Netizens expressed their awe in the courage of Laema and Raphael, together with their childhood friends who are all full-time students and still devoted their time to help the drive amidst being one of the residents of Roxas who also lost their livelihood and houses in Odette’s rage.
“Mas pinili naming tumulong pa din sa mga kababayan namin dahil hindi naman naming sila kayang makitang nagugutuman, walang tirahan, walang kakayahan para mag-provide ng mga necessities nila dahil nawalan rin sila ng source of income dahil sa bagyo,” she told Palawan Daily.
A month after the super typhoon’s wrath, Laema told the team about how the houses still lack roofs, some, and their structure.
“Need pa din namin ng donations para maka-provide ng mga bubong nila kasi yung iba na walang kakayahang makabili ng mga nipa or yero ay trapal pa rin ang ginagamit. Madami pa rin nagtsa-chat sakin na humihingi ng tulong,” she said.
After receiving quite a handful of messages concerning roofs, she decided to raise another drive, this time entitled, “Barya Mo, Yero Ko” that aims to gather funds to somehow ease the suffering from the scorching heat during daytime and shivering winds at dusk till dawn experienced by 70% of Roxaseños who are still improvising the structure of their ruined houses.
“Sana hindi mapagod yung LGUs sa paglaan nila ng 100% service para sa mga kababayan ko, sana patuloy ‘yung pagiging tapat at totoo nila dahil wala na rin namang iba na malalapitan yung mga nasalanta ng bagyo kundi ang LGU at ang pamahalaang may kakayahang tumulong,” she added.
“Yung collective na advice ko at ng kapatid ko, pati na rin yung mga kasama namin sa drive is kung meron mang mga estudyante namin na nahihiyang tumulong sa maliit na paraan, habang may kakayahan ka na tumulong, tumulong ka at wag mong ipagkait sa mga nangangailangan. Lahat tayo makakabangon sa kahit sa pamamagitan lamang ng maliit na tulong na yun,” Laema further said.