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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider 'Yolanda' survivors bring hope to 'Odette' victims in S. Leyte

'Yolanda' survivors bring hope to 'Odette' victims in S. Leyte

Published Dec 24, 2021 08:55 am

MAASIN, S. Leyte - It is going to be a bleak Christmas for the people of Southern Leyte who were affected by Typhoon 'Odette.'

However, help starts pouring in to give hope, especially from Supertyphoon 'Yolanda' survivors.I

t is their way of paying forward since Southern Leyte was one of the first responders after the deadly typhoon in 2013.

Narcissa Isaac, and her daughter Lia, 5, were stranded in the city proper during the onslaught of the typhoon. They were supposed to attend the first midnight mass but they were forced to stay with friends since the mass had been canceled.

They volunteered to clean the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral as their way of showing gratitude for overcoming the catastrophe.

"We thank the Lord for sparing us. Lia's father is already dead and our house has also been damaged but we are blessed that we are still here and people are helping us," Narcissa said.

Gabriel Tabita, 51, also from Maasin could not help but turn emotional after receiving the first relief goods given by some media practitioners from Tacloban City, two days after the typhoon hit their city.

"Our house in the mountain was washed out. We have to ration our food because our money is running out," he revealed.

Imelda Balik, 51, from San Juan, Southern Leyte had no other choice but to rummage from the rubbles where her house used to stand. It was washed out by the storm surge. She has 14 children and some of her grandchildren live with them. They were spared by the storm surge but were left with nothing.

They were allowed to stay in the evacuation center nearby but she does not know until when. Children from their village beg for help and food on the streets to get by for the day.

Imelda was one of the recipients of 1,000 food packs brought by a group of people from Matag-ob, Leyte under the BGT Cares Foundation.

She was also teary-eyed when she received cash assistance from Bernie Tacoy who led the team.

"I thought there's no Christmas this year. We did not know how to spend it with no house and only taking shelter in a school. I am thankful that there are people who come to help us," she added.

Meanwhile, Maria Petate from Hinundayan town expressed optimism to be in contact with her children whom she and her husband haven't had contact with for years.

"I appeal to my children to help us. It's been very difficult since the typhoon. We are surviving but we still need help because it's just my husband and I who are here," she said.

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