A Scent of Hope for a Hero

By Gerika Soria, Staff Writer

HINAPLANON, ILIGAN CITY – When Operation Blessing met Mario Hernani, 43, a fresh bandage is patched on his forehead. It was a harsh reminder of that fateful Friday night in December… 

Survival 

Everybody was scrambling for safety. The floodwaters were quickly rising and the current was strong. It was only a matter of seconds before the deadly waters submerged the house. Mario knew he had little time left to save his wife and daughter. 

Acting on instinct and desperation, Mario knocked down a wall of their house. Instantly, floodwaters gushed out. He quickly brought his family to safety. They climbed a tree to escape the rushing water. 

Once he was sure that his family was safe, Mario went back to their house to get their savings. Their house was already submerged so he dove to get inside. When he got to the spot where their money was hidden, he swam deeper. He was just an arm-length away from the money when a wooden foundation of their house fell on him, giving his forehead a gash. 

“I know that I could be trapped so I quickly got out of there,” Mario shared. “The money wasn’t worth risking my life.” 

The waters continued to rise. People were perched on roofs and trees while others were clinging on cable wires to survive. Finding a rope, Mario used it to bring his family and other neighbors to the roof of a second story house. 

Amid the chaos, Mario heard a mother calling for help. In her arms were two small children. She refused to let go of any of her children. If one dies, they’ll all die. 

“I told her to hold on to me,” Mario said. Braving the angry floodwaters, he was able to bring the whole family to safety. 

That night, nobody in their community died. 

Aftermath 

Mario was able to repair their house. At night, his wife, Josephine, and daughter would sleep on their hard bed while Mario sleeps outside. 

“I could not stand sleeping inside the house,” Mario shares. “It reminds me of what happened that night.” 

The traumatized father sleeps on a narrow bench outside their house and he uses his muddy, worn-out clothes as a mat. 

Scent of Hope

Operation Blessing blessed this hero with a new mat and blanket to replace the muddy clothes he uses. When Mario and Josephine received it, they could not help but smell the fresh clean scent of the mat and blanket. 

“We are so thankful for the helped that we received,” Josephine said between tears. “We are almost left with nothing.” 

These mats and blankets give off a scent of hope for families just like the Hernani’s. This signifies their first step for a fresh start. 

YOU CAN BE PART OF THE HEALING! Give hope to more families affected by the floods caused by Typhoon Sendong. Operation Blessing is still on the ground bringing relief and medical aid to the flood victims. 

Click here on how to help! 

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