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Bangon Cagayan

By Erl Dylan J. Tabaco

The author, a Columban seminarian, writes about the disaster that hit his native Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, last December. He has appeared a number of times in Misyon, most recently in the January-February 2012 issue, Revitalizing the Church: Bringing the Gospel to the Deaf.

While on my way to the airport for my afternoon flight back to Manila, I saw a big streamer with the words ‘Bangon Cagayan’ (‘Arise Cagayan’). This mirrored the sad faces of many in Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) where severe tropical storm Sendong (international name: ‘Washi’) had struck a number of barangays (administrative districts) in the city during the night of 16-17 December last year.  It took the lives of hundreds of people and caused much damage to infrastructures and property.

On the other hand, the streamer encouraged people to remember that there is always hope amidst despair. I recalled my own experience that night.  In my 25 years I had never experienced that kind of catastrophe. It was beyond my imagination.

That night I was sleeping comfortably when suddenly I was awakened by a strong wind and rain. The wind was so furious and sounded like a thief trying to destroy our roof. I had no idea what was going on in other areas in the City. I thought that it was just an ordinary typhoon that would just by-pass the city. Flooding didn’t cross my mind knowing that CDO is not prone to it. A few minutes later my sister’s phone rang. It was her officemate asking for help.

I was already nervous and my anxiety increased when a friend in Manila called me and told me that CDO was in a terrible situation. I also spoke to a former classmate and officemate in Manila who was asking for my help because her family was trapped inside their house. I didn’t have access to any news from radio or TV because there was a total black-out. Relying on the information from Manila, I couldn’t imagine how the water level had reached as high as the second-storey of buildings. I was sleepless that night thinking that the Agusan River, connected to the Cagayan River, had also perhaps overflowed.

When morning came Ana Belma H. Flores and Marisol T. Rojas, Columban lay missionaries from Peru, informed me that the family of Ate Lingling, the cook in the convento of Holy Rosary, the Columban parish in Agusan, CDO, was affected by the storm. When we visited her house we saw that most of her things had been damaged. As she narrated what had happened I was moved. She told me that the rising of the water was beyond reach. It was difficult for them to get out of house since the current was too strong. The total black-out added to their difficulty. She thought that these things happened only in the movies. Despite everything, they were blessed that all had survived. As I looked at the neighboring houses, I was really shocked at what I saw. I couldn’t picture a worse situation anywhere else in the city.

It was my first time to see such catastrophic damage. Both banks of the Agusan River had overflowed. Houses as far as 50 meters from the river were all gone. I couldn’t imagine the struggle of the people during that night trying to save their lives and some of their belongings.

Next day John Wang Zhongse and Joseph Li Jiangan, two Chinese Columban seminarians who were visiting, and I we went to San Agustin Cathedral to offer help. We packed relief goods. I was happy to see so many responding to the call of mission as they offered their services for the victims of the storm.

From the Cathedral we went to City Central School, one of the evacuation centers, to deliver the goods that we had prepared. There were many evacuees, from babies a few months old to aging lolos and lolas (grandpas and grandmas).  Ironically, what they needed most was water, the element that had taken so many lives and destroyed millions of pesos worth of property. I reflected that we so often take water for granted. We heard so many stories of how victims had struggled confronting the flood. Listening to these I felt daunted about my future work as a priest. In these situations it is very hard to console and advise people especially when they are in the midst of depression thinking that life is meaningless. All I could do was to listen as they expressed their hurt, anxiety and fear. I believe that this was the greatest contribution I could offer.

All the Misas de Gallo (the pre-dawn novena of Masses from 16 to 24 December) in the parishes of CDO were offered for the victims and the speedy rehabilitation of the city. In every parish many parishioners gave donations in cash and kind. As a seminarian I found it fulfilling offering myself in helping others. In my own little way I could be part of the journey of those facing another chapter in their lives despite fears, difficulties and brokenness.

It was a very sad Christmas for most people in Cagayan de Oro but it was a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on the essence of Christmas. Our Savior was born to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. Jesus Christ our Savior emptied himself for our sake as he showed his great love and compassion to humanity. We have also been called to participate in Christ’s mission.

Christmas is a great celebration where we can gather as one family to thank the Lord for his many blessings. It is also a wonderful opportunity for us to give all the glory to him by reaching out others in need. It was indeed a great Christmas celebration for me in a deeper sense. I gave myself much time reflecting on my calling. God is leading me to become the best I can be and to the things that makes me truly happy and fulfilled.

I’m sure that through my serving people God is leading me. Returning to Manila, I brought all these experiences into my discernment process. Bangon Cagayan is a good reminder that there is always hope amid despair. It will drive people to look at life in a positive way despite the many ordeals and difficulties that lie ahead.  It is a constant challenge that whatever happens in life, God never fails to love us. We have a God who always strengthens us when we are about to give up because of the circumstances that almost crush us. As the song of Fr Arnel Aquino SJ says, ‘Be not afraid; I am with you, I have saved you, I have called you. You are mine. You are precious to me and I love you. Be not afraid, be not afraid’.

As of now the people of Cagayan de Oro are recovering. Members of many organizations have been supporting them. Agusan Elementary School, where I graduated, was one of the temporary relocation sites. It accommodated residents of Barangay Calacala. Many parishioners visited the families there showing their support to those forced to start a new chapter in their lives. Let us include them in our prayers that they may see light in the midst of darkness. Through the light of Jesus, our beloved brothers and sisters will be comforted and find meaning as they continue on their own journey.