The other day, a pack of relief goods containing a kilo of rice, two packs of lucky meat beef mami, and a can of CDO beef meat loaf, was delivered to our doorstep. It was during a time when we had least expected it. Thanks to our mayor, Hon. Mojamito Libunao, who decided not to delegate the job to the baranggay captains. Otherwise, only those close to the kapitan del barrio will be receiving.

Take what happened to us a year ago when typhoon Cosme battered our town which left so many families homeless. It was in the news that every family was going to receive three pieces of galvanized iron. Did we receive anything? No! Only those close to our baranggay captain did. And each of them received more than three. Some six. Others twelve. And those who received too much ended up selling them. And the rest were used by the kapitan in extending his house. So very kind of him.

Anyway, let me thank everybody who helped in any way possible all the victims of typhoon Pepeng. I see relief goods continue to arrive also in nearby towns. In behalf of all these people at the receiving end, maraming salamat po.

From October 5 to 8, life was normal, kids were in school. On October 9, heavy rains started to pour in the morning. Still, there were classes that morning. I was getting apprehensive at that time because of the heavy downpour while my kids were still in school 18 kilometers away from home. Medical representatives I talked to were saying that the road going to Dagupan City was starting to get flooded. And the more I got uneasy because my kids’ school reiterated that regular classes were being conducted. By 12 NN that same day, my husband received a call that classes had been suspended and that the kids need to be fetched the soonest. Me and my husband acted immediately but since classes were suspended in all schools in the area, traffic delayed us. But we were just in time before floodwater started to rise.

On the afternoon on that same day, news spread that San Roque dam was going to open all its gates and release water. My husband immediately surfed the internet on what areas were going to be affected. And we concluded that San Fabian will be safe. But unfortunately, several dikes were not able to contain the rampaging water and they gave way. And San Fabian, our town, was among those greatly affected.

It was hair-raising to see and hear people in such a situation. Because there was no electricity at the height of the typhoon and our generator broke down, I had only known of the very vast damage in our town and nearby areas after the typhoon. In search of food and some necessities, my family and I was able to make rounds in nearby towns. My kids just could not believe that what they were seeing were possible.

Food was the main problem after the flood. Market stalls were close for days. They have nothing to sell because everything were destroyed by Pepeng’s wrath. Bread, biscuits, and cookies were very scarce. People get to argue on who gets it first.

The day after the typhoon even the malls were close, too. When Nepo mall reopened, people trooped there causing long lines again in the cashier. There were no meat, fish, and vegetables in the wet section. I was only able to buy the essentials. I am hoping that everything will go back to normal as soon as possible.