CHRISTOPHER SEMILLA, 41, never thought that his early trip to the bathroom would bring him to a close encounter with death.
Semilla, a construction worker, was one of 10 people who survived, but were hurt when a landslide struck Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Tina-an, City of Naga last week.
Semilla, fondly called Pipoy, recalled that an hour before the landslide hit their sitio, he was inside their house’s bathroom when suddenly the roof of his house shook.
“Gatuo gyud ko nga naay iring nagdagan-dagan sa among atop. Pero sa dihang nadungog nako sa gawas nga nag-landslide kuno, nakuyawan nako (I thought a cat was running on the roof. But when I heard that there was a landslide, that terrified me),” Semilla said.
As the rumbling sound continued, Semilla heard his neighbors outside his house shouting “Tabang” (Help) and “Mangamatay na ta” (We’re going to die).
He attempted to clean himself by using a “kabo” or water can when suddenly he felt the wall of their restroom exploding behind him.
The entire restroom had collapsed on him.
Luckily, Semilla survived but his right leg was severely injured after it got stuck under debris.
Semilla recalled that he had to crawl towards the front door despite the injuries in his body.
But as he was about to reach the front door of his house, he moved back when he realized he wasn’t wearing any underwear, Semilla recalled.
Semilla decided to crawl back to his room and get a pair of undies and shorts and crawled back to the front door.
When he got out of the house, he found Sitio Sindulan already in disarray.
Aside from him, Semilla’s mother was able to leave the house in time as the landslide had struck their house.
A habal-habal driver was able to rescue Semilla and bring him to Vicente Mendiola Center for Health in Barangay South Poblacion.
Upon discharge, Semilla immediately went to the City of Naga Badminton Court to check on those who died.
He was devastated after seeing the coffins of his neighbors and friends, particularly those of the Campanilla clan, at the badminton court.
Despire his injuries, Semilla even accompanied the funeral for those who died during the landslide yesterday.
“Nasakitan gyud ko kay duol gyud sila sa akong kasingkasing. Mga amigo nako ug kaila nga dili na gyud nako makit-an (I’m deeply hurt because they were close to my heart. They were friends and I knew them and I can’t see them anymore),” Semilla said.
Despite his sad situation, Semilla was thankful for the second lease on life.
Semilla vowed to slowly renew his faith in God.
“Mubalik na gyud ko sa Ginoo. Kung kaduha sa usa ka tuig ra ko musimba, kaupat nako musimba karon (I’ll return to God. If I used to go to church only twice a year, I’ll make it four times now),” Semilla joked. (JKV)