A Drop of Water

After returning to Philippines from Japan after the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program last December 16, 2011, I was indeed filled with so much excitement and enthusiasm after being away for more than a month. Filipino food is such a craving and most importantly the desire to get connected with my family and friends. My college batchmates and I were chatting on our planned reunion on December 22 in Iligan City that night and it was like an overflow of nostalgia knowing that we will see each other once more after more than a year of separation.

Who would have thought that night was a tragic and disastrous experience Iliganons would have in their lifetime. It was typhoon Sendong who devasted our beloved City killing almost a thousands of lives , hundreds were missing and billions worth of properties were destroyed. Few days later were post inviting Psychology graduates and professionals for immidiate intervention but I wasn't available at that time. Later I heard about Health Organization for Mindanao (H.O.M.) that provides psycholigical services and so I decided to be part of the volunteer team for Iligan City.

With the HOM team, we assessed random Evacuation Centers and Internally Displaced Persons to get the over all view on what intervention can be applied. Hearing the cries of the survivors literally teared my heart into pieces especially on how they fight for their lives during the dashing floods. There were several sharings of despair and pian especially those who lost very important persons and it would take a lifetime to heal.

I realized how important and salient our work is as Mental Health Specialist and the urgency of response. The Sendong experience is like a very large rock on our history - but like a drop of water that constantly falls on it, it will soon break , it will wither and someday, it will be a rich soil where plants can grow. Just like every trails we face, together, it will bear fruits and that is one thing I know I will see. And as one HOM Team, we will fight not just for ourselves but especially for our fellow Iliganons who needs us because every Filipino is worth LIVING for and FIGHTING for. And I believe that being a true brother means WALANG IWANAN ( Leaving No One Behind). Together, we will rise. :)