To start it off, Philippines is particularly vulnerable to tropical cyclones which produce heavy rains and flooding across large areas on a yearly basis. In November 2020, Philippines was struck by typhoon Ulysses. One of the places that was greatly affected was Isabela, a land area located in Cagayan Valley (it's also where I'm currently residing).
This is Lola Lorchita Rendon. She lives alone with her grandchild in Isabela. Hence, they weren't able to save anything except their lives when typhoon Ulysses struck our town. The trace of her house being fully submerged in water is visible in these pictures
After all these years of enjoying the comfort of not being affected by typhoons, I had to face the reality of being directly affected by one. Although our home is not a flood-prone area, it’s not new to experience a Signal #3 (121 km/h to 170 km/h tropical cyclone winds) typhoon in our province. However, for the first time, we were flooded and nobody saw it coming. Even the national government wasn't prepared for it.
That night, me and my siblings were left alone in our house. Our parents went somewhere and was unfortunately stranded on their way home in a place where flood was 5x worse (the houses in that area were fully submerged with water). We attempted to contact our parents that night, but they were out of reach. So imagine my anxiety as the eldest child in a household where I am expected to take responsibility for everything that needs to be taken care of😩
When the water began to slowly seep into our home, I just knew that I had to take courage and stop myself from overthinking about our parents. We immediately evacuated our belongings to the second floor. There was simply too much stuff, that up until today we aren't sure how we managed to get it all upstairs😅 In fact, we were surprised at how we were able to raise the refrigerator to a much higher level considering how large and heavy it was to begin with (my siblings were only 13 and 15 years old that time).
My auntie who was part of a rescue operation team was so worried about us since we were alone at home with no parental supervision. They offered me an option of being rescued first before the water reach in a critical level. However, I insisted that they should help first the people who really needs them badly because we can still manage to survive on the second floor of our house. The dawn came and that’s the time when we were the last one to be evacuated. Thankfully, right after we were rescued, our parents already answered our call and there was immediately a relief of worry and burden in my shoulders. They were safe and was able to find a location to sleep in away from the flood prone areas.
When we were rescued, the place we’re brought into was a completely different world because everything was like normal and the flood didn’t reach it at all. It’s the first time that we were flooded instead of that place.
I started browsing my social media accounts and my heart ached for all the posts from people pleading for help to save their lives. A lot of people, especially from Cagayan were already at the roof of their houses yelling for help. Because the rescue teams already had a full plate due to a large number of calls for assistance received that night, a lot of people from different parts of the country started doing Bayanihan, an act of volunteerism to help other people. The reports say that there were 22 fatalities, 20,000 homes damaged, and billions worth of agricultural production lost throughout the Cagayan valley that night.
Before I went to sleep, I was completely overwhelmed by a range of emotions. But one thing I strongly felt was that I needed to do something for the people who were greatly affected by the typhoon. However, I am at loss as to where to begin because I am aware that I will not be able to make financial contributions since I am only a student and my part-time job as a photographer has only recently begun that time. But after 2 hours of nap, I woke up with an initiative planted in my heart.
After the flood subsided, we went home to clean up and I also started to plan how to help. I came up with ‘Pictures of light and hope’ , an initiative to raise money for a good cause by selling my photographs.
The photos are priced between $10 and $40, but donors can also donate any amount of money without purchasing photos. By the end of the cause, I was able to sell 19 photos and raise $615 worth of purchase and donations.
Asides from distributing relief goods to the most affected parts of the country, a part of the sales went to “For our Farmers PH” org who were at a great loss for losing the monetary value of their crops.
Here are the top three things that I took away from this entire experience:
1. I don't have to be a doctor first in order to assist others in their needs.
Since I was a child, I've had a strong desire to become a doctor so that I could help those in need, and I realized that it is the only reason why I wanted to be one. As I progress through the process of learning about the realities of life, I learned that whatever path I will choose, I will still attain my main goal in life which is to help other people because it is already in my nature to be one. This reflection came at a very significant timing since I am at the season of deciding whether or not I will go to med school after I finish my degree.
2. A lot of people we don't personally know are willing to go the extra mile to support and be of help.
It was delighting to say that the owner of the photo printing shop that I randomly messaged for the canvas volunteered to donate 10 pcs. as their way of helping me in my initiative, and I also got a discount for the remaining prints! A lot of strangers also anonymously donated and shared the cause to other people. But of course, this wouldn’t also be possible without my friends and family who helped me in gathering my thoughts and distributing the relief goods.
3. Unexpected events often lead us to our purpose📸
This incident took me out completely of my comfort zone. Having this gift of being good in photography made more sense because I discovered that I had been endowed with this talent not only to have something to be proud of, but also to be an instrument of God in lending a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. I always question my purpose in life, and in the midst of this event, I found myself dreaming of having my own photo gallery exhibit someday and the proceeds would benefit charitable organizations.
I have to tell you that it is amazing how God was able to work with me throughout the entire process of this event and how I encountered such lessons for my growth as a person. My eyes were also opened to the harsh reality that while other people are enjoying the comfort of 'cuddle weather' during typhoons, some people are drowning and losing their homes. Even just a light rain today would remind me of what other people might be going through. That's why I've learned to be more sensitive to societal happenings and give more help as much as I can.
How about you? What has been the most life-changing event that you've encountered during this pandemic? 😊