Beyond the Camera Lenses

AMBULARE CUM HEROES

(A walk with heroes)
 Few months ago we are planning to give relief goods to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Villamor Airbase, we have already coordinated with a few people from government agency who are supervising the area, but because they are so strict that time we can drop off the goods but we were not allowed to talk to the victims. Then after that conversation with government personnel we decided to hold back and think of other ways of personally giving the needs of the victims of the typhoon. Accidentally we bump with the current President of Pugad Lawin Philippines Quirino Chapter Lawin Hayes and he invited us to join their caravan going to Caguiuan, Samar on March 20 to 23, and we said yes to the invitation. We have attended several meetings for the caravan, one of the meetings we have was on March 11, 2014 in Bahay Bahayan in Marcos Highway in Masinag. In that meeting we have talk about the details of the caravan going to Samar and what would be the contributions of World Citi Colleges.

We have a few stop over to give for re fuelling and comfort rooms necessities, we have stop at Daraga Albay where we first saw the elusive and majestic Mt. Mayon Volcano that was merely covered by clouds. We did not waste any time we were just given 10 – 15 minutes to do what we have to do. We had another stop over at Naval Base in Legazpi City to take a bath and breakfast then we proceed to Matnog port were we had our lunch before riding the RORO Boat going to Samar.

March 20, 2014 Thursday 3:30pm we left the Pugad Lawin Base in Quezon City, with nothing to expects what would happen and clear purpose on our hearts to help those who are in need. Still with a vague thinking on what to expect on what will happen during the caravan were set aside for a while. We are about to travel by land and sea for about a thousand miles from QC to Caguiuan, Samar and for about 84 hours for 4 days. Carried by hi ace van, a land cruiser and a truck that carried our relief good with a total of 3 personnel from WCC namely Jennifer Imson, Mark Frederick Regino and Sherwin Villegas, 14 persons from Pugad Lawin Quirino and 5 Soldiers from Camp Solcom from Lucena. As we arrived in our first stop at Camp Solcom formerly Camp Nakar our goods were transferred from a truck to a 6 wheeler battle truck that was lend to us by one of the Pugad Lawin from Quezon. After a scrumptious dinner that was given to us we continued our way to a busy road going to the Bicol Region. Most of us take the opportunity to take a rest and sleep; we do know that this travel would not be easy and comfortable for most of us.

 During our ride to RORO going to Samar, Low Pressure Area was noted entering the Eastern Mindanao that somehow affected the weather and seas condition which causes large waves enough to shake the RORO boat, we were a bit anxious that time because of large waves striking the boat plus were in the middle of San Bernardino Strait basically a part of the pacific ocean going to Allen a Samar Port, few hours travelling the sea we arrived at Allen and started to coast the city of Calbayog, Catbalogan, Basey, Salcedo and Guiuan. As we go along the way we can see and feel the wrath and traces of Typhoon Yolanda. There were trees fell to the ground and most of them were cut into pieces, roots were drawn from the soil, major concrete roads was push and blown away from their original places, houses were also destroyed and only used tarpaulin were used to cover as roof and walls from the cold night and thunderstorms that was present that time. We can only imagine how they felt that day cold, hungry, suffering from the lost of someone that they love.

We arrived at Guiuan, Samar at 4:00am in a fellow batch mate of Lawin Eisenhower offered his place for us to rest and eat, then we proceed to the an island of San Antonio, Guiuan Samar a 15 to 30 minutes travel using a small Bangka going to San Antonio. The hardest thing for our travel going to the island that day it was raining hard and a strong swirling wind that causes about 2 feet waves in the sea. We are scared for our safety that time, but moreover it was overcome by our will to help the needy people. We are wet and cold and heartbreak of what we are seeing in the surrounding done by the disaster of Typhoon Yolanda. As we arrived at San Antonio sweet smile welcome us especially the Barangay Captain and member of the community, we know deep inside of that smiles are sorrow and pain that was kept inside of what was nature have brought to them. The Barangay have never received any support from the local government according to the members of the community after the typhoon struck their town, but never the less glowing smile were seen as they can see hope on what we bring to them that a simple person can bring a small change in their life. We ended the big day with a feast given by the Barangay Captain, it was simple but we know it will last and we headed back home.

For 84 hours and 4 days and miles away from our family travelling to Caguiuan, Samar we never thought that our very own life is at danger. The harsh rough roads, to large trucks and buses that we encounter, NPA’s, and to swirling storm of the sea this are just some of the things that may harm each and every one of us, but we never gave up because we know that besides the materials that we have given them, we ignited a spark of hope in every heart of the people of Caguiuan, Samar.

This is also an eye opener for us; it had opened my eyes and heart on the little things that we can do to our country and to fellow Filipinos and as long as 1 person starts to help, others will join to work together to bring hope. We arrived at Quezon City at about 3:30 am, as one by one of the Pugad Lawin’s bid goodbye and I lay my head with gladness to my bed and pillows I was blessed and did not noticed until that morning when we came home that for four days I was walking with the heroes, a journey that I cannot forget for four days that I have spent with Pugad Lawin and my fellow World Citizens, we have shared stories of laughter, struggles, trials. It is an opportunity to work with this people who did not think of themselves and their safety just to bring hope and joy, they unselfishly shared their time and are away from their families and love one’s and most important is they unselfishly without a doubt shared their warmth of life for the others for the people of Caguiuan, Samar. Days, weeks, months may have passed I know at the back of my mind that in one meaningful event in my life have happened that is I had the chance to walk with heroes.