One Month After Sendong

It has been a month when Sendong hit my city and other cities and provinces as well in Visayas and Mindanao and still we are in the state of recovering. Slowly wounds and pains are healed while there are some I guess who would still take time and even worst would never be.

Few days ago, the SEO Organization Philippines had its relief operation in which my boyfriend and I eagerly participated along with other CDO based SEO practitioners and funds from other SEO specialists all over the country. Our target area is Tibasak in Macasandig where this is one of the most affected area during the said tragedy. In spite if weeks had passed, still the said barangay has not recovered. Plus the destruction of the typhoon is still evident that you as a spectator could wonder how did these people survived. What had happened to them during that time? And where could the others be.

There used to be houses on this ground I am stepping on. Plus the land in here were once mud now hardened and become part of the ground.

These kids were trying to collect whatever they could salvage near the riverbanks in order to sell in shops and get some money from it. These kids were supposed to go to school during that time but they opted to stop and to not continue simply because they no longer have the means to pursue it. Plus they are more concerned on their shelter and their food every single day. I wonder where would this lead them and their possible future. This is truly heartbreaking.

Boyfriend and my new SEO friends

Cagayan de Oro is still recovering from the aftermath of Sendong. There are still bodies missing and dead people who until now have not been identified. There are still people in evacuation centers while there are others in the streets still.

What CDO needs now is your help for rehabilitation purposes. Although lands were donated as settlements for the affected yet still these lands are not yet sufficient for the thousands of families. In spite of the land, it would still not be of used if there are no houses and livelihood built in it. Plus there are still individuals who needs much attention because of the post traumatic syndromes that even our healthcare providers cannot aid. Worst are people committing suicide and getting mad because of the aftermath.

You can still be able to help Cagayan de Oro rebuild lives of the Sendong survivors. Please, if you know how you can aid us, do not hesitate to extend such. We thank you for the countless blessings that my city has received from many individuals in the country and even around the globe. Let us not seize and together aid towards the rising of CDO again.

Heroes

Sendong's wrath is definitely the most traumatic one experienced by Kagay-anons and our neighboring cities and provinces. The aftermath is so devastating and you can't help but to cry and be saddened by the fact that such killed thousands. In spite of it all, there are hearts that were fired up to help and give in every possible way they can.

Imagine different people from all walks of life gathering around to provide every possible needs of Sendong victims coming from Cagayan de Oro, from the Philippines and even worldwide. Such aid truly warms my fragile heart knowing that CDO, Iligan and other affected areas are loved by everyone to the point that they are pulling out their parties and convert the money to help these victims. Aside from that there are also other individuals who would be willing to risk their lives so as to find those missing ones and retrieve lost loved ones. More than that, there are heroes that on the night of the typhoon, opened their houses to shelter their neighbors, drenched themselves in the cold rain to save others to the extent of losing their lives in return.

Thus, today Etallasa is proud to feature some unsung heroes who aided and helped in the best way they can to the victims of the typhoon. If you've extended yours be it monetary or in kind I am sure God will return such blessings to you and your family. And this post is yours as well. You are a hero to us all and we can't thank you enough for such kindness and generosity.

Photos from Atoy A. Martinez

I am sure there are still many heroes out there who helped the typhoon victims. Our salute and our thanks to everyone who passionately gives their time, their money, their clothes and their presence to be of help. 

CDO and other provinces are still needing your aid. Be of service and know how by clicking Help CDO: How and More.

True Christmas

I saw a post from a friend that this particular reporter states that Christmas is barely felt in Cagayan de Oro because of what transpired over the weekend. True enough many horrible things happened of which I know you are already aware of. However, with the endless supply of help, charity, sympathy and aid from people all over the country and the world, isn't this the true meaning of Christmas?

Christmas this year in Cagayan de Oro and the other areas affected by Sendong would have to be the best Christmas that I see in my years of existence. For the past, let me admit it, it was self centered since you are concerned with the gifts you will buy for your friends and family. The food you will prepare for your noche buena. The people you will invite to dine in and the gifts you duly wrap to whom you know who to give.

However this year, it is so different. You tend to give money but you do not know who will receive it. You stacked away your old clothes and give it to someone you barely even know. And the best thing is, you give without expecting a gift in return. More than the item you donated, you give them hope, you give them compassion, you give them love. And that definitely screams Christmas.

Let us Help CDO by bringing Christmas into the Streets.

Should you be interested, here's how you can start:

Of course, the things you can share to them:

Let us take part and share. Let us celebrate Christmas the way it is supposed to be. Let us Help CDO!