By JACQUELINE LUCERO 

In the annals of history, certain events stand as stark reminders of the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda, was one such cataclysmic event that swept across the Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013. At this time, the region had been rocked by a devastating 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Bohol two weeks earlier, which had already left communities on edge.

The day before Typhoon Yolanda made landfall, my friends and I, oblivious to the impending calamity, ventured to a swimming lesson near Talisay’s bay area. While we were aware of an approaching typhoon, it was the first time we encountered the term “super typhoon.”  The magnitude of what was about to unfold was beyond our comprehension.

As Yolanda descended upon us, our entire house seemed to sway, blurring the lines between the storm’s fury and the lingering aftershocks from the earthquake just two weeks prior. With no internet, electricity, or access to real-time information, our lifeline became a battery-operated radio we borrowed from our caretaker that got stranded with us in the staff house. We clung to the broadcasts, hanging on every word that foretold the storm’s path.

I vividly remember the eerie calmness when the eye of the storm was said to pass over Cebu City. Time itself seemed to pause, and there was no movement of leaves or raindrops. Then, in a surreal turn of events, the heavens opened up, releasing raindrops that felt like drumbeats on our fragile roofs. It was a terrifying experience that lasted for hours. When it finally passed, the world outside had been transformed. 

The following day, our surroundings were filled with leaves and broken branches, but we were determined to carry on with our schedule. We had a prior commitment to attend a play called Siddharta at the Cebu Cultural Center. Little did we know that Yolanda’s effects were already seeping into our daily lives. The play was marred by power outages, a foreshadowing of the challenges that lay ahead.

As days turned into weeks, we learned of the unfathomable destruction that had befallen Tacloban, where nothing seemed to have been left standing. Yet it wasn’t until later that we realized that the northern part of Cebu had suffered a similar fate. The world’s attention was rightly focused on Tacloban, but the resilience of the human spirit was equally evident in the communities struggling in the shadows.

We had no choice but to help. The urgency of the situation left us with no option but to extend a hand to those in dire need.

Caught in the middle of that divine situation, we stood up and planned to help northern Cebu and nearby barangays. With limited funds pooled from our office mates and my boss, I turned to social media and posted a plea for used clothes and any donations in kind. What transpired next was nothing short of remarkable.

A deluge of help poured in from all corners, even from people we had never met. Within just four days, we had collected numerous sacks of essentials and a substantial amount of cash, totalling ₱108,000. With LGUs and military trucks stretched thin, we rented vehicles to transport the aid from the pier to Northern Cebu on Nov. 24, 2013.

As we embarked on our journey to the northern Cebu provinces, we passed through flattened villages. People ran toward our buses, their eyes filled with desperation, seeking the most basic of necessities—drinking water, which was alarmingly scarce. 

We had come prepared, bringing more than enough supplies, and we made it our mission to reach the barangays that had yet to receive assistance from the LGUs. The scenes we witnessed along the way were heartbreaking, but they were also a testament to the strength and tenacity of the Filipino spirit.

Motivated by the unwavering determination of those we encountered, we forged ahead with our mission. Originally intended to assist 1,000 families, we ultimately extended our aid to a staggering 15,000 families. To this day, we still do not know how we managed to achieve such an incredible feat. The overwhelming support and help we received from all corners of the globe became not just a lifeline for those in need but a beacon of hope in a time of darkness. In our darkest hour, we experienced the best of humanity’s compassion and generosity.

Though Typhoon Haiyan brought immense devastation, it also revealed the immense capacity for resilience, unity, and love that bound us all. The people of Cebu and Tacloban, and countless others who joined the relief efforts, showed that even in the face of the most formidable challenges, the human spirit shone as a beacon of hope.

Shine on.