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Haiyan Stories: Leyte (Oscar Borer)

by Paula Nierras

"Nasandig la ako hit Gino o. Kada aga pagbangon ko, bago ako nagawas hit amon balay para manaygon, [iya pakabuhi] natawag ako ha iya, nangaro ako hin giya. Gino o, ikaw na bahala hain mo ako dad on yana." (“I just trust in God. Every morning when I wake up, before I go out of our house to sing carols [his source of living] I call on Him, I ask for guidance. God, it’s up to you where you are leading me today.”)

Mano Oca and his wife Mana Babylyn are both blind since infancy, allegedly caused by typhus. They have nine kids of which all are well. The family experienced the horrors of Yolanda first hand in their house in Montaño GK Village. The community leaders tried to convince them to evacuate before the typhoon but they refused because they knew that the school which served as the evacuation center is crammed with people. They can just imagine if they too will go there, they might risk a stampede. So all nine scrawny kids one of which is just months old and two sightless parents stayed home. At the height of the typhoon their windows break and their roofs were blown. Strong wind and torrential rain punished them. They huddled under a frail table and prayed that their walls be intact and no flood will enter their house. They were blessed. Their walls stayed intact and no flood entered their house. Now they have no food, no dry clothes, no roof, and no possible way of earning a living but they are still thankful that they are all well. Life continues and so for the survivors, including them, they must carry on. They now live in a temporary shanty while they wait for the repair of their GK house. With the economic activities now gradually comes back in the region, Mano Oca too is back with his known way of living. For days he would go from town to town. Walk miles under the unforgiving heat of the sun, seeking shed only when it rains. Sing carols from house to house hoping the residents would give him something. If its money he will save it so he can buy food and other essentials back at home. With his big faith in God, he continues to carry on. 
 

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