Kiki & Lala

On Thursday, we headed out to Tanay, Rizal to give out relief packs to those affected by the floods of Typhoon Ondoy (known internationally as Ketsana). Because our usual route was closed we had to make a detour through Cainta, Taytay, Binangonan and Baras (I think!)

Here’s what we saw on the way…

This Allied Bank branch no longer has records.

Rice fields that look like the ocean.

mud, mud everywhere!!

We went to an elementary school-turned-evacuation center in Barangay San Isidro first. It’s actually our voting precinct! Do you recognize this as the place we go to on election day??

from school to swamp

Even before we got there, those living in the evac center were eagerly awaiting the supplies.

There was a pretty good system in place. Each family staying at the school was asked to register the day before so on our end, we prepared one care package per family.

His shirt says, When I look around and I think things over, all of my good days outweigh my bad days. Thank you Lord, I won't complain!

It’s always the kids that move us most in situations like these…

He's probably wearing all the clothing he owns

What dirty flood water does to your feet.

This is Jolina. She’s 7 months old and at least looks content with the cracker she’s snacking on.

This little guy is MJ. He’s four months old and though you may not be able to tell from the picture, he has developed a rash on his face and bites on his arms since staying at the evacuation center. He is the youngest of four kids who all looked like they were under 10 years old. His mom told me, their house was completely washed away.

Some people complained that they weren’t able to register as recipients of relief goods because they weren’t staying at the evacuation center, even though their homes were still flooded.

As you can imagine it’s hard to turn people away – especially since we were with LittleTwinBokal. However, we were able to make arrangements for extra care packages to be delivered to their homes which you would need a rubber boat to get to. This responsibility was left to the heads of the Barangay so I do hope the aid got to where it was needed.

Thankfully, there is always room for smiles…

After I took this someone asked, pang facebook ba yan o friendster? I guess, they’re not as rural as we think.

After the first school, we made our way back to the HQ to load the truck with the next mountain of relief packs.

We formed a line from the receiving area of the HQ, through the hallway, past the kitchen, to the back door and to to the truck to load over 500 bags. It turned out to be a very substantial work out.

And just in case you were wondering what the street right outside the HQ looks like:

It was actually quite dry when we got there but it rained after our first drop off and the water collected very quickly since the earth was already saturated.

Here’s Lala stuck in the mud – literally…

Moving on… out next stop was actually a barangay hall more than an evac center. Barangay Tandang Kutyo was one of the worst hit. Fifty people lost their lives here because the area is right by a creek.

There seemed to be more people here though the system was more or less the same. The recipients were given stubs a day or so before the good were delivered.

The throngs of people had been waiting and there didn’t seem to be a well-formed line but they had to be parted in order for us to swiftly unload the relief packs.

And here were are passing the goods down the line.

Don't mess with her.

Most of us were dressed in yellow. And as a result we heard someone say, Ay, siguro galing kay Noynoy yan kasi naka dilaw eh. (Umm… ok…)

Unfortunately, there are some areas (so far, not in Tanay) that the barangay captains or politicians who are meant to distribute the care packages are hoarding them for themselves or saving them for the campaign period!! There must be some way of controlling this.

Not sure if these guys can actually help.

They were the only TWO men in uniform I saw in this barangay.

We didn’t stay for the distribution of all the goods so I do hope they got to those who needed it.

On the way home, I felt good about what we did but there were some sad reminders about the effects of the storm.

Not a great shot - but we passed a funeral at this cemetery. We couldn't help thinking it was for a flood victim.

One of many schools that was trying to save it's precious books.

Garbage being hauled out of the river.

So as you can see, relief goods are great for the moment but there are problems that will persist long after the ground has dried.