Philippines: Jabez still recovering from shock, needs basic necessities

“The floodwater was so high. I was so afraid. I was crying,” says Jabez Gonzaga, 7, of Karangalan village, Cainta, Rizal.

Jabez’s village was one of the worst hit areas when the extreme rainfall brought by Typhoon Ketsana submerged many villages in Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Rizal last Saturday affecting more than 450,000 persons with more than 200 people dead. Placed under State of calamity were 26 provinces including Metro Manila.

“It was like the sea; my father put me in a Styrofoam box and swam me to safety as. I felt so cold and I thought I would drown,” said Jabez. He stayed in a church set up as an evacuation center. His attention would often stray to the street still filled with water and mud.

“All my school things and clothes were drenched with water and my favorite toy was destroyed,” he said as he held on to his shorts which were tied in front because they were too big for him. At times, he would not answer questions and only shook his head.

After a few minutes, Jabez left and would no longer respond to questions.

Meanwhile, Jenel Gonzaga, 28, Jabez’s aunt was also still reeling from shock.

“It was a very traumatic experience. You don’t know if the flood water will still rise. There were no rescuers,” she said.

Jenel added, “I really thought I was going to die. I was so afraid. The water was increasing rapidly and our home was totally submerged with muddy water.” Her family evacuated to their neighbor’s house. 

“Though we lost most of our belongings, I am thankful that none of us died. The material things can be replaced,” she said.

For two days, they waited for the water to subside. “It will take us one week to clean the mess caused by the flooding. There are many things to do,” said Jenel as she stares at the pile of clothing piled up in their house.

“For now, what we really need is food and water. The stores here were flooded as well. If there were a few, the prices shoot up. A can of sardines priced P12 (.26 USD) before now costs P23 (.5 USD),” says Jenel.

 “It is hard to start anew especially since important documents were all soaked with flood water,” she said.

“However, though we lost most of our belongings, I am thankful that none of us died. The material things can still be replaced,” she repeated. 

Homepage image credit: Reuters