Unexpected Surprise

By Gerika Soria, Staff Writer

BRGY. CONSOLACION, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The evening local news has just ended and Alfonsa Adlawan, 34, noticed that the rains and winds outside were getting stronger. A sense of fear brimming in her chest, she was alarmed when she saw the sudden rise of floodwaters. Immediately, she went out to tell her relatives and neighbors that they needed to evacuate to higher ground, but her cries landed on deaf ears.

“They didn’t believe me because the worse flood we had was only about thigh-deep,” she recounted. “Some of my neighbors even cooked rice that night.”

Running in haste with her father, mother, and nephew, they headed to the marketplace. They left their house and possessions without looking back. And with heavy hearts, they left their friends and relatives behind.

Trapped

In mere seconds, the water levels were already chest-deep and the flood currents were very strong. Sweet April Luciana, 24, could not believe what was happening around her. She and her whole family - her husband, 3 year old son, and 1 year old son - were inside their house. Houses around them were already being swept away. Suddenly, they heard the foundations of their house give out. The next thing they knew, they were being swept to the open sea while trapped inside their house.

Out of the blue, a tree loomed in front of them. Their house got caught in it and Sweet April and her husband, Orland, were able to cling to the branches while clutching their children. They stayed there watching other houses being swept by the currents and their neighbours disappear in the murky waters.

Sweet April’s arms were getting sore, but letting go would mean the end of their lives.

“Mommy, let’s pray,” her 3-year-old son said. That simple plea penetrated through her shocked system.

In times of crisis such as this, she knew only God can help save her family.

“I felt my strength came back when my son said that,” Sweet April shared.

They stayed on that tree for 11 hours, until the waters subsided.

Searching

Alfonsa could only utter prayers for the relatives she left, especially her sister. When the waters receded, she ran back to their place and saw the destruction the floods left. She looked frantically for her sister, asking people around.

Finally, she received the chilling news: her sister’s house was found but it was totally destroyed.

Hurt and shocked, she gathered all the strength she could muster. She searched for her sister’s body among the hundreds of dead bodies being recovered. Frustrated, she could not find her.

“It hurt but I let them go. All I thought was that the best thing I can do is find my sister and her family’s bodies so I can give them proper burials,” Alfonsa shared.

As she passed by a street, she saw someone she didn’t expect to find: the sister she’s been searching among the dead, Sweet April!

“I could not explain what I felt when we saw each other. I was so relieved that she and her whole family are alive. Thank God!”

Reunited

The reunited family sought shelter in the UCCP Evacuation Center where they received mats and blankets from Operation Blessing.

“Thank you for your help!” Alfonsa exclaimed. “We lost all our belonging in the floods.” The mats and blankets will keep them warm at night since they only sleep on a plywood sheet in the backyard of the cramped evacuation center. 

For many families just like Alfonsa and Sweet April’s, the warmth of a blanket is probably the first taste of comfort they had in four days.

You can help more families in Mindanao! Operation Blessing is preparing to do more disaster relief in areas where affected families are still in need. 

Visit www.obphil.com/sendong for details on how to give.