Smile Before You Open

KNOT

Siya si Nena Semblante, 59, taga Tacloban.

“Dito na ako nakatira sa San Miguel, Leyte, mga 50 kms. ang layo sa Tacloban kase pinarentahan ko na ang bahay namin duon.  Nang mabalitaan ko ang nangyari sa Tacloban, agad agad akong nagpaalam sa husband ko na puntahan ang aming bahay.  Nasa gilid lang kase ng dagat, boarding house na siya pero nand’un pa rin ‘yung bunso kong lalaki.

Di ko napansin pa’no ko nalakad ang 47 kms habang ang iba ay papalabas na ng Tacloban, ako naman mag isang naglalakad, umiiyak, papasok…madilim.  Umalis ako dito ng ala una ng hapon at umaga na akong dumating du’n. Iyak lang ako ng iyak.  Ang dasal ko, buhay lang sana ang mga anak ko.  Pagdating ko sa amin, washed out na talaga.

Hinanap ko siya. Buti nalang, narescue ng tita n’ya.  Sunod kong pinuntahan ‘yung ate niya na nasa kulungan.  Ang sabi kase, na-washed out din.  At ‘yun nga, lima na lang silang natira.  Laking pasalamat ko, isa siya duon.  Ang taimtim kung dasal at pagsisimba ko kada Linggo ang alam kong naging rason din kung bakit sinave ni Lord ang buhay ng aking mga anak.  Natrauma ang bunso ko, kaya nagdasal na naman ako upang sumama siya sa akin maglakad papuntang Ormoc, mga 10 kms.  Kahit malayo, gutom at mainit na – naglakad pa rin kami.  Di ko mawari ang nasa kalsada kase ang dami palang namatay, kaya “zigzag” na ang aming lakad. Sunod sunod ang aking pagsubok, pero hindi ako susuko.  Babangon kami. Salamat sa inyo na bumisita at tumulong kahit alam namin na kayo din ay binagyo.”

Iba talaga ang pakiramdam pag nandu’n ka na at narinig mo ang mga experiences, first –hand.   Meanwhile, here is something from Girlie Suarez, RN of San Pedro College, one of our volunteers.

“Going there for the second time didn’t give me the common realization of being lucky enough to have lived in a safer place or having a family that could at least easily rehabilitate, after maybe experiencing (God forbids) that same calamity.

It taught me something else. I was there to extend my service as a nurse but more than anything, be privileged to have seen these people suffering and personally be the one to start a campaign for prayers.  Not only do they need the assistance that we can offer but most especially a strong faith from their co-Filipinos praying that they will once again find hope, strength and see God in this misery.   As they say, prayer can move mountains. My 3-day medical mission is nothing compared to the daily prayers and reflections that I and other prayer warriors could offer; for a new start with a stronger faith.  As a cluster leader, I cannot also exchange my team for anything else in this world. Thank you.”

These two testimonies serve as my favorites in my Oplan Tacloban trip.  Oftentimes, life gives me surprises which I don’t expect to happen when I open myself to it.

Yet, at the end of each day, my sad experience gives me the reason to smile and be hopeful despite of trials.

Yolanda left them much pain, yet Yolanda taught me to set aside my concerns and as a laity, share to them my smile and my life.

So, let us stay happy and positive because there is always rainbow at the end of every storm.  Read more of the sharing and see more of the photos via Davao Catholic Herald Official FB Page.  ‘til next kwentuhan, higala.!