UNSTABLE tents, damaged properties, homeless residents -- these greeted us when we arrived at Tribal Village, Biangan in Makilala, North Cotabato, one of the most affected villages hit by the series of earthquakes that shook Mindanao in October 2019.
Upon our arrival, their tribal leader gathered his people in one tarpaulin-roofed area. All were beaming with hope.
SunStar Davao team went there on November 21 to deliver relief goods to earthquake victims.
The relief operations were made possible by all private individuals, groups and companies who responded to our call for donations days after the calamity happened.
Their donations in cash and kind helped around 150 families in the quake-affected Bagobo-Tagabawa community.
Jeralie Barona, 30, a mother of two, recalled how traumatizing their quake experience was.
Barona’s house was completely damaged, leaving them nothing. Her family is currently taking refuge in a makeshift tent.
But despite this, Barona remained positive that God will provide them and grateful to the help their community received after the tragedy.
"Dili jud malikayan na naay trauma, kahadlok ug kabalaka. Pero dako amo pagsalig sa Ginoo na dili mi niya pasagdan. Dako among pasalamat kay basin sa dakong trahedya na nahitabo sa amoa, daghan gihapong malumong nga kasingkasing na nagtabang sa amoa," she said.
(We are still in trauma, afraid and worried about the situation. But we have faith that God will not neglect us. We are very thankful for the outpouring of help that we received from kind-hearted people)
But Barona said they will strive to rise again from all this.
"Kabalo mi na dili mi pasagdan sa gobyerno. Pero siyempre, dapat dili lang mi magsalig lang sa gobyerno. Padayun gihapon mi na maningkamot. Unta puhon, makabalik mi sa among kinabuhi," she added.
(We know that the government will help us. But of course, we must not always rely on them. We must also do our part. I hope we can get back to our life as soon as possible)
Kagawad Baby Lin Leo said she encourages the residents not to lose hope and keep on going with their lives.
"Ang amoa gyud kay makapatindug na og balik og mga balay mga tao dinhi aron makatulog na mi og maayo," she said.
(What we really want is to rebuild our houses so we can peacefully sleep)
Farming and construction are two of the main livelihood in Biangan, Makilala.
We were about to depart from the area after we successfully distributed some relief goods, when two men called us back and offered onion leeks (sibuyas) as a token.
"Dawata ninyo ma'am, sir, oh. Pasensya kaayo, kani lang sa kay nalinugan man gud mi," one resident said.
(Accept this little offering ma'am, sir. Apologies if this is just what we can offer for now. We're still recovering from the quake)
The act touched our hearts. Despite their situation, they remained generous and grateful.
Among the companies and group donors that made the relief operation possible were Jhonrin Car Rental and JRDM autoshop services who lent us their Elf for transportation, Right Flight Travel Agency of Silang Cavite, and ALN Group of Companies of Mr. Aldwin Navarro and his employees.
Friends of Mindanao in Palau, a group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) working in Palau, and SunStar Davao Cooperative along with SunStar Davao employees also donated generous amount for the Makilala earthquake victims.
Some of the individuals who donated cash through Sunstar Davao were Mr. and Mrs. Jose Carlos Valencia II, Veronica B. Corrales, Shantal Megumi, Luisa Lumioan, Sylvia Durens, Glenn C. Mapili, KC Amores Macalisang, Aldrin Vallente, Jerisa F. Jumao-as, "Yhang Slbr", "Mimon Yeager", Cai Mourde, Zherlynn Guillergan, Noel Flores, Mandamian Gabe, Ailine Daral, and Uriel Guisadio.
Lennart Suelto, Mariel Macrohon, Evelyn Guillergan, Marilyn and Renato Ronquillo, Krizza Mae Ronquillo and Ralph Sungahid, Lorney and Boyet, Claudine Tuyor, and Darlene Paras also sent goods for the Makilala earthquake victims through Sunstar Davao.
Aside from cash and goods donated to the earthquake victims, DMIRIE Foundation through Dolly Santos gave out Bibles which were also distributed to the beneficiaries of the relief operation.
There were others who donated cash and goods, too, who preferred not be named.
For the donors, Sunstar Davao thanks you as well for making this relief distribution possible.