SAN MATEO, RIZAL

(this is just a blog. Not an article yet.)-i will make one for the courier within the week.=)

September 30, 2009
Wednesday

Having problem sleeping worried me because I might oversleep and not be able to go to Scout Bayoran for volunteering. Good thing Jimmy and Jude woke me up. =)

Four of us went. Jimmy, Jude and Edward (a new found friend)

4:30 am. We arrived at Scout Bayoran. We were told to check out the 3rd storage if they still need the help for packing. Good thing they still do! From 4:30 to 9:30am we were packing some old clothes.

"4 adults
2 children
1 pair of slippers" -that is a one pack needs. But actually before the boardwalk slippers arrived we have to pack, 4 adults, 2 children and AN ANYTHING-MAY-DO.

There I saw everyone so busy helping others. People in all walks of life were there. There were no such thing as "mayaman, mahirap", all were just focus in one goal. That is, to help those victims of typhoon "ondoy".

There were shifting of volunteers so we have to stop packing to give way to others who were lining to help. So then, we decided to ask if we could join the distributing of relief goods. Good thing again, we were one of the 30 who went with the team kapamilya and us girls crew to san mateo, rizal.

FIRST STOP: "Brgy. Banaba."

The ride to San Mateo was very heart-breaking. We passed through the bridge where that family were crashed with their home on that raging water. That scene made my mind blanked for about half a minute.

The moment our bus stopped people were very happy to see the convoy. A little traffic delayed us. While waiting, a man holding his son caught my attention. He was giving me sign like he was asking for water for his son. I asked Jude if we can give him the bottled water for volunteers. He gave me the water and I gave it to the man. My heart felt so much pain when I saw how thirsty the child was. God, how could water be the reason of pain and relief.
Our first step at Brgy. Banaba. People greeted us with all smiles. They were all excited for all the actors who were with us that day. Filipinos are indeed a happy person. After all the calamity, they still manage to smile and be happy. Of course, they are also happy for the relief goods that we were to distribute.

For about 200 meters from the Basketball court we should carryout the goods from the trucks because they can no longer get inside the cramped street. So we were asked to make a human barricade so that it would be easier to pass all the goods from the trucks to the court. The sacks were so heavy. And about 2000 sacks were hand over. My muscles ached big time! But it really didn't matter at all. Because just having the thought of through that very little way you could help those people being devastated that unfortunate Saturday makes you lucky enough just being able to help them.

"BRGY. AMPID"

9000 sacks.

The moment we arrived Brgy. Ampid people were extremely happy to see the trucks of loads for them. I was very happy to see their smiles. All waved. And they were like waiting for the sun to shine for them. First step. Unload the relief goods. Unlike Brgy. Banaba it was easier for us to unload the goods because the trucks can park very near the Brgy. hall. Less unloading were done for the volunteers because some government workers were there, Army I supposed. So we were just assigned to show those people the way out the moment the actors were done giving them the goods. (Sam Milby is indeed good looking. PLUS the sweat? Whew! LOL)

It was indeed a very humbling experience for all of us. There was this old woman Jimmy got to accompany. She was so happy the Sagip Kapamilya was there to help them.

She said, "Maraming Salamat, Napasaya niyo kami kahit na wala na kaming bahay."

We can never understand their pain not until we are on the same situation like they are right now. All we can do is pray for them. Help tell the world that these people are in dire need of help. That in any way we can help them is a good way. Already a great thing for them.
Please, please let us all be understanding to those people. Don't wish for rain. Don't wish for storm. Don't say they deserve it. Because we share the same world with them. As a matter of fact, they paid for the wrong doings we have done. When actually we should be sharing it with them, EQUALLY. But God is so good for us who didn't experience these ordeals. Because there is nothing as painful as losing a home and losing someone you love.

Not just one or two.

Even your whole family.