TWO DAYS after “Sendong” struck, I was driving to a dinner at Greenbelt.
At the corner of Ayala and Edsa, a sampaguita vendor, who was around my son’s age, knocked on my window. Rather than buy the flowers, I gave him two packs of popcorn that I always have in my car during the holiday season.
The boy’s eyes lit up, like I had given him gold. “Maraming salamat po, ma’am! Merry Christmas po!” He walked away with the biggest smile I had seen in days. And I began to tear up. How so little can bring so much joy.
What right do we have to complain about traffic or anything else nowadays?
So when I got home, I decided to do my bit part for the children affected by “Sendong.” With the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines-Northern Mindanao Region, we put together “Yakapin: Batang Hilagang Mindanao (YBHM)” a short-term campaign (until Jan. 10) to collect as many stuffed toys and teddy bears as possible for the children who lost almost everything.
What I wrote on YBHM’s Facebook page:
Swept away
“Put yourself in her shoes.
“You fall asleep snug in the arms of your mother; the rain pounds on the room but you are not afraid because beside you is your mother, and you know you will be safe. All of a sudden, the waters enter your home and you are swept away from all that is familiar, and everyone you love.
“You wake up dazed, not knowing what has happened to your family. You walk around aimlessly, only to find that your home and all that you love are gone….
“Toys are effective tools in helping children heal from the trauma of loss. Stuffed toys are effective comfort givers in times of stress and trauma. To children, stuffed animals are more than toys; they become the vehicles by which they tell their stories and release their pain. Stuffed toys or teddy bears provide some comfort in a scary world.
“Please send clean, friendly-looking toys in good condition (no pigs please, owing to cultural and religious sensitivities) in any size, but ideally, big enough for a child to hug.”
Please visit any of our 12 drop-off centers in Metro Manila:
Alabang—12 Brentwood St., Hillsborough, West Service Road, Alabang. Look for Magding or JC.
Greenhills—33 Madison St., North Greenhills, San Juan. Look for Ann or Shirley.
Asuncion Berenguer Inc. 3/F Homestudio Bldg., 63 Connecticut (same building as Homestudio, Torch resto and Bose), Northeast Greenhills. Please leave with guard and indicate “Bears for YBHM.”
Makati—The Citadel Inn, 5007 P. Burgos St., Makati City c/o Andre Urbina; 15 Garcia Villa St., San Lorenzo Village, Makati. Please look for Marge.
Marikina—1 Ferdinand Marcos St., Industrial Valley Subd., Marikina. Leave with guard, please indicate “Bears for YBHM.”
Parañaque—Johnson and Johnson, Edison Road, Parañaque City (Edison is street by Zuellig). Leave with guard, indicate “Bears for YBHM.”
14 C. Diamond St., Greenheights Village, Sucat, Parañaque. Look for Yaya Marlene.
Quezon City—A-2 Doña Sotera, Pilarville Subd., QC c/o Dennis Mariano; 41 Milkyway Drive, Blue Ridge B, QC. Look for Lily.
C1C3 Narra Heights Condominium, 28 Mariposa St., QC (near Camp Crame)
Eastwood City—Unit 5c Eastwood Lafayette Tower 3, Eastwood Ave., Libis, QC (in front of Watsons, near McDonalds). Leave with guard indicate “Bears for YBHM.”
After ‘Sendong’
On a bright note, it is heartwarming to see how the entire country has pulled together for our brothers and sisters in Northern Mindanao. How bridges of love and compassion have spanned our 7,000-plus islands as we reach out to all those who need our help at this time.
Native Cagayanon, dean Tony La Vina, environmental policy expert and dean of the Ateneo School of Government, wrote beautifully about the 10 Things We Must Do After Sendong in www.rappler.com.
The first is how “we should help affected families and communities, poor or rich or middle class, find closure and stand up on their feet. I stress the importance especially of helping the middle class who were affected, whose needs are unique and less obvious, but nevertheless as important in this disaster.
“Government presence is key to assure them they have not been abandoned. Continuing relief operations as long as possible is important for that purpose. The infrastructure that was destroyed, such as the water system in Cagayan de Oro, must be repaired quickly. Psychosocial assistance should be provided. The dead, the suffering and the grieving must be respected and treated with dignity.”
As we celebrate and give thanks, surrounded by loved ones and all that is familiar, let us not forget, in our giving, all those who lost everything and perhaps everyone they loved. Christ in Christ-mas only comes alive when we translate our sympathy into empathy, and our compassion into action. Wishing you all a very blessed and meaningful Christmas!
E-mail the author at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @cathybabao.
