Dear Friends,I'm sure news about typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana) ravaging the Philippines had been flashed in television around the world. By God's grace my family is safe. Arcy, Marichu and Paul III were at home Friday, September 25, before Ondoy's strong winds and heavy rains came.
I was in a kubo (thatch) in Bgy. Kinagatan, Binangonan, Rizal in Laguna lake since Thursday, September 24 doing some readings.We had scheduled the PTC Team brainstorming meeting for the 2010 plans, but since the majority of Team members could not make it because of unforseen personal circumstances, we reset the meeting. Looking back, it was providential that we cancelled the session, Ondoy could have caused more personal damage.Everything was fine until friday night. I was reading a book on 'Spiritual Leadership'. The rains and strong winds started about 10pm friday night. It was too late for me and the 5 fishermen with me to leave the area. It was very dark and waves have grown high and gone wild. I put my hammock 5 feet about the bamboo wood, while the men were on the long benches.
At 5 in the morning, Saturday, September 26, 3 of the 5 men with me courageously rode a small boat to go the village to get a big boat to rescue the rest of us. After almost 2 hours of waiting, the rescue boat arrived. About 7 in the morning, we had landed inland. We ate some hot noodles. I stayed in the home of Ka Enie Descutido until Sunday morning. I was home in Antipolo at 2 in the afternoon. While we were in the middle of the lake, I called with my wife, thus sparing her and my children from unnecessary emotional stress.
The flood waters brought havoc in Metro Manila and nearby areas including Antipolo and Rizal. Road going to Antipolo via Teresa was cut off by flood waters and it remains unpassable by vehicles until today. Everyone must travel on foot. The road going to Anitpolo via Sumulong
Highway was also cut off and remains unpassable. The road going to the PTC Center was cut off because one of the bridges was destroyed by flood waters (see photo on bridge).Arcy and I went to visit some relatives near the PTC Center yesterday, Tuesday, September 29. the flood waters had subsided. The water current was almost nil. We crossed a narrow river to get to the other side to bring some goods.
Jeff Taclas's home, one of the PTC Team members, was submerged in 8 feet of water during the flood. Jeff and his family stayed in the second floor of their house. They are now safe. Many of their home appliances were destroyed.
Arman Aspa, also a member of the PTC Team was stranded for 10 hours in the flood. Arman was in Cavite Saturday morning together with 3 companions. They were advised not to go home that
night. They stayed in one of the buildings in Home of Joy Orphanage where Marichu works. They travelled Sunday morning only to discover that the flood waters in Marcos Highway were still very high. He was just less that 4 kilometers from his home but cannot cross a 500 meters road still flooded. Arman and his group went to a nearby mall to get some food, but to his surpirse the mall was closed. He was able to reach home until 5 pm.Pray for the affected people that they will have a strong resolve to get over the tragedy and start all over again.
Thank God for His protection and preservation in the midst of typhoon Ondoy that brought great damage to lives, property, and economy.
PaulPaul C. Caampued, Jr.
Director,
Pastoral Training Course
156 Daisy St., San Antonio Village
Antipolo City, Rizal 1870
Philippines
