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Haiyan Stories: Negros Occidental (Rosie Magalamay)

by Henna Glyssa C. Diaz

Rosie Magalamay, 12 years of age, is the fourth child out of six children of Nanay Lowella and Tatay Roque Magalamay. They used to live in Sitio Lacawon in Brgy. Cadiz Viejo. According to her, nothing was left in their house after super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Their family vacated to Lacawon Elementary School. If she would describe their situation there in the evacuation center in three words it would be, “siksikan, mahirap at konti ang pagkain” (crowded, difficult, and lacking in food).

Last July 23, 2014, they moved in to the first house of the first row of ten houses. Rosie and her family were very happy and she cannot really explain to me how happy she is. She said their house is colorful and they won’t get wet anymore when it rains. She said she wanted to say “Thank You” to the people who helped them have their own home.

I asked her what was the first thing in her mind was when Haiyan (Yolanda) came, and she briefly answered that, “I want my family to be together and for no one to get harmed”. She just wanted to be with her family and despite Haiyan’s destruction to their properties, she hasn’t lost the hope that one day, they will be able to start a new life again.

I asked her what is her dream and she answered, “That no matter what happens my family will be together, strong and united through happy and tough times”.

I asked her if there’s more she wants to ask for, other than having their own house (referring to material things like toys, clothes, food). She just smiled and said, “Insakto na nga nagkadto ang mga tawo diri kag nagbulig sa amon. Ang amon balay subong sobra sobra na sa kabuhi namon subong. Biskan may iban pa kami nga mga kinahanglan, indi ko na gusto mangayo pa sang kung ano pa dira. Kontento na kami yah! Ang importante buhi pa kami tanan.” (It is enough that people came to help us. This house means everything to us, and though we still have other needs, I don’t want to ask for more. I am contented. What is important is that we are still alive.)

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