A special
Blue Heights issue
for the victims of
super typhoon
Yolanda and
its heroes
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF ST. SCHOLASTICA’S ACADEMY MARIKINA HIGH SCHOOL UNIT
One God. One Nation. One Mission.
TEST OF FAITH
By Raeven Davis and
Rexanie Martizano
As mission partners in the
school of the Lord’s service,
Scholasticans are nurtured to
have a strong relationship with
God through bible reading,
praying, and participation in
social involvement program
activities.
For over a year now,
St. Scholastica’s Academy
Marikina (SSAM) had been
intensifying the Year of Faith
for the young Scholasticans to
rediscover themselves, to live
the beauty and joy of being a
Christian, and to share Christ
by communicating their faith
with others.
The teachings of Pope
Francis have driven the
Catholics to renew their faith
in the Lord.
“The journey of the
Church, and our own personal
journeys as Christians, are not
always easy; they meet with
difficulties and trials. These
obstacles are part of the path
that leads to God’s glory, just
as they were for Jesus, who
was glorified on the cross; we
will always encounter them in
life,” the Pope was quoted as
saying in his speech in Rome.
Similarly, faith was
strengthened
and
hopes
were renewed in the wake of
Yolanda that slammed into
Tacloban and Ormoc, among
other places, on November 8,
2013.
TURN TO PAGE 2
Sharing
through
selling
ON
PAGE
10
Benedictine nuns
rescued at Divine
Word Hospital
ON PAGE 6
Sister Angelica
says faith
keeps us alive
ON
PAGE 4
2
TEST OF FAITH
FROM PAGE 1
To note, more than
5,000 people died, roughly
1,000 still missing, and
billions of properties lost in
the Yolanda aftermath. The
gloomy atmosphere in the
two typhoon-devastated areas
did not dampen the spirit of
the Filipinos. In fact, millions
of people from other countries
showed what the world needs
now: Love.
In this desperate times,
the spirit of solidarity, sense of
urgency, and gift of generosity
despite cultural and political
diversity reigned supreme.
In a similar manner,
the Benedictine community
and affiliated schools of
St. Scholastica’s Academy
in Marikina can prove that
sincere prayers and kindness
to people could entirely
change the face of the earth.
The fury of Yolanda
greatly affected two sister
schools of SSAM, namely St.
Peter’s College in Ormoc and
St. Scholastica’s College in
Tacloban.
In Tacloban, the Divine
Word Hospital was battered
by strong winds brought by
typhoon Yolanda; Ceilings had
been scraped, walls inundated
by seawater, and facilities
heavily damaged. The retreat
house in Alang-Alang, St.
Benedict’s Farmers Institute
of Sustainable Agriculture,
was not also spared by the
monstrous cyclone.
Upon learning of the
DECEMBER 2013
hapless condition of the
Benedictine Sisters assigned
in those affected areas, SSAM
directress Sister Angelica
Leviste, OSB immediately
called for collective effort
among Scholasticans through
social media. Sister Angelica
stated, “St. Scholastica’s
College-Tacloban and St.
Peter’s College-Ormoc were
badly hit by super typhoon
Yolanda. In the midst of
its wrath our Sisters had to
evacuate and seek shelter
elsewhere. They are safe
and are at the Divine Word
Hospital. We are once again
knocking in your hearts
and asking for your urgent
assistance in behalf of our
Mother Prioress, Mother
Adelaida Ygrubay, OSB. They
are in dire need of medical
supplies, food and water. The
Divine Word Hospital was the
only hospital open.”
High school principal
Sister Ida Morin, OSB was
also quick on her feet to
address the immediate needs
of typhoon Yolanda survivors.
Sister said that getting help
from a faith-filled community
has been easy.
Through faith, most
people can take the risks
and are very much willing
to sacrifice to rescue an
individual.
Through prayers, one’s
perception towards life in the
midst of challenging times
becomes an inspiring story to
many.
With these, the high
school department of SSAM
held a garage sale dubbed
as “Kilos Kulasa para sa
Kapwa” for the victims of
natural calamities, earthquake
in Bohol and super typhoon in
Tacloban and Ormoc.
High school students
brought sacks of clothes,
fiction books, accessories,
and other useful materials for
a garage sale. Items were sold
at the cheapest price to the
SSAM community. Proceeds
were directly sent to the
victims of natural calamities
Likewise, the school lends its
full support for reconstruction
and rehabilitation of buildings
massively hit by typhoon
Yolanda.
On the other hand,
Sister Antonia Santiago,
OSB posted via Facebook
her appeal to all Facebook
users to help the Benedictine
Sisters in assisting the people
in Tacloban and Ormoc.
Sister wrote, “Let us
advance our Christmas giftgiving by assisting our sisters
and brothers in Tacloban. We
urgently need your help so we
can aid those who are severely
affected by this latest disaster.
I am appealing to all FB users
especially my friends. Any
donation would be greatly
appreciated...”
It may take years for
the people of Tacloban and
Ormoc to recover from the
pangs of Yolanda, but for as
long as there are throngs of
people ready to give a helping
hand learning to move on will
be very easy.
WHAT KULASAS THINK
How do our spiritual and
SSC Tacloban was heavily damaged by Yolanda.
social involvement program need have become my habit.
activities renew our faith in We renew our faith in the
God?
Lord if we keep His words.
I showed my sympathy to
uOur spiritual activities the victims by donating my
in school have prepared us unused clothes and by praying
to be strong amidst trials. for their health and safety.
Our relief operation for the - Leila Duyao, grade 9 - St.
Yolanda victims is our way to Milburga
give back to God the blessings
we receive everyday. I
uGod
makes
me
donated old clothes, books, stronger each day. My daily
and money. I even included communication with God
the victims in my daily is my strength and hope.
prayers. - Jemimah Quilala, Because of the tragedy in
grade 10 - St. Cecilia
Tacloban and Ormoc, I felt I
had the moral obligation to
uMy active involvement give a bright life to a desperate
in community services and individual. I took part in our
daily attendance in spiritual school’s fundraising project
activities bring me closer to by giving donations and also
God. To be a good follower by saving money - Ciara
of Christ, my responsibility Reaño grade 9-St. Gertrude
is to respect one another in
love. I chose to share my
uWe must do everything
birthday gift with the victims for unity and love. These
of typhoon in Tacloban and values would help us see the
Ormoc.- Yuumei Esma, grade beauty of life and find peace
9-St. Walburga
in our hearts. The motto,
“Ora et Labora” we observe
uOur spiritual activities in school has molded us to be
and community involvement active listeners, to be faithful
renew our faith and belief in servants, and to work for the
God as they help us reveal our glory of God. - Khate Angela
spirit of helping others; thus, Torres, grade 8- St. Margaret
helping us to have a bigger Mary
opportunity to rediscover,
live, and share our faith in
uHelping the needy
God.- Jenina De Guzman, and reaching out to the poor
grade 7-St. Rose of Lima
are a reflection of who we
are as Kulasas. We are one in
uAs Scholasticans, we spirit. The fundraising project
are encouraged to proclaim last October and November
God’s love through words was a tremendous success
and actions. When I learned because we showed our
about the damages caused by utmost care for others. We’re
typhoon Yolanda, I prayed not only helping others, but
that God would grant the also making God happy. This
people of Tacloban, Ormoc simple act of kindness means
and all affected areas in a lot to anyone we offer our
Central Visayas extra strength services. Let us remember
to survive the odds. - Patricia that God gave us trials for
Gajitos, grade 9 - St. Ottilia
us to strenghten our faith
and to bring hope to others.
Participating in the Holy - Leonisse Susa, grade 7-St.
mass and helping people in Therese
3
DECEMBER 2013
EDITORIAL
A Memoir
SBFISA Chapel after the storm.
uThink of this: The way we
treat others is also the same we
treat God, our Creator. I showed my
concern and sympathy to the victims
of typhoon Yolanda by donating
money and goods. It may be a small
help, but I know I made even a child
happy. I pray that they will never lose
hope amidst crisis. - Gilian Madrid,
grade 7-St. Rose
uWe are taught to put God in
the center of everything. I can say
that for the past 10 years, the school
has helped me to become closer to
God and to our less fortunate brothers
and sisters. Through the different
spiritual activities and community
involvement programs sanctioned
by the school, I have learned how to
keep my faith. I do not just pray, but I
work for the benefit of other people.
I donated some of my old clothes to
be sold in the garage sale. I also kept
a part of my allowance everyday and
deposited it in organizations. I know
that these are just small things, but I
am happy that I had done something to
help the victims of typhoon Yolanda.Kline Sagala, grade 10- St. Veronica
uIt renews our faith in God.
It helps us realize that with God
anything is possible. With God we
can go through any problem. It helps
us realize that God will be by our
side no matter what. I have shown
my sympathy by donating some of
my old books and my old toys for
the garage sale. - Jywel Nacu, grade
7-St. Clare of Assisi
uI impart my goodness and
kindness to the community. Since
we are all called to be servants of
the Lord, we shouldn’t waste the
opportunity to extend help to the most
needy. The catastrophes happening
to us now is a test of our faith in
God. Sometimes I wonder why bad
things happen to good people. What
happened to Visayas was devastating.
I tried to picture myself in the situation
of the people who were affected by
the typhoon, which upset me even
more, so I asked myself, “Why
not help them?” I mean, they were
there to help us stand up once again
after the typhoon Ondoy in 2009.
Donating relief goods, sending help
and offering money to the victims of
the recent typhoon could help, yes,
because they do need those materials
to survive, but what they really need
are our prayers, because I believe that
there is nothing more powerful than
the intensity of invocation. - Chloe
Sison, grade 7-St. Bernadette
uOur spiritual activities and
community involvement renew our
faith in God by constantly reminding
us that God is in everything and in
everyone that we come across. The
spiritual activities explain the Words
of God,and through the community
involvement activities, we are given
a chance to live out the Benedictine
way of life. I showed my concern and
sympathy to the victims of typhoon
Yolanda by praying for them before,
during, and after the occurrence of
the typhoon.-Arlene Daro, grade 10St. Veronica
uTo be of service to others is
my guiding principle. It has kept me
grounded and has renewed my faith
in God. I may not have enough money
to give to the needy, but I have all the
time to assist their needs and keep
them company. Giving my time and
initiating efforts such as coordinating
with fellow alumnae and co-parents
of the SSAM community. In fact, to
reach out to the victims of typhoon
Yolanda is what I have been doing
to show my concern and sympathy.
These little things may pass unnoticed
but it’s my own little ways to help
out. - Mrs. Belen Camarista, PTA
president z
Our lives are in another place: brains bombarded with long tests,
hands busy with projects, hearts occupied by friends and family and dreams
preoccupied with wistful thoughts of the coming Christmas. Our lives have
already gone on and times have passed; for us, the onlookers of the tragedy,
all that remains of Yolanda’s merciless winds and murderous waters are but
a memory. And eventually, that too will fade away.
Eventually, forgotten will be the more than 5,000 casualties, the
uncounted souls buried in the rubble and the never-to-be-found bodies lost
at sea. Their lives, which then was just as full and vibrant as ours, had
suddenly ceased on November 8, 2013. The corpses, blackened from the
elements, frozen in terror and decomposed by time, had littered the roads
and fouled the air of Eastern Visayas.
Equally forgotten will be the families bereft of their loved ones.
Among them was the mother who, during the peak of the storm, had
clutched on a post with one arm and her baby with another only to find
after the winds had ceased that her infant was gone from her grip, taken by
the waters. There was the father whose stoic face was caught on video as
he pushed a makeshift cariton that carried the corpses of his wife and all
six of his children. Then, there was the little girl calling out on CNN for her
OFW mother in the States, weeping as she said that she alone survived and
the rest of their family was gone.
Gone from memories will be the 11.3 million affected people who
survived. In a way, they suffered more than those who perished, as they
were the ones picking up the pieces, splinter by splinter. They were the ones
who had spent almost three days without food and water;they were the ones
who had fought and scrambled when the relief goods had finally arrived
in trickles. In worst cases, they were even compelled to steal goods even
if they knew it was wrong. Money, social status, etiquette, wants, moral
barriers: all were useless; everyone was on the same race track to survival.
One would think that a calamity that brought a nation to its knees
would remain imbedded in the lacerations Yolanda had deeply cut into the
people. When time heals all wounds and a majority of the victims have
already moved on, this Yolanda aftermath may also be forgotten.
Will we forget witnessing the trademark Filipino smile? Yolanda’s
destructive force brought about the Filipinos’ greatest power, in magnitudes
never seen before. Three weeks after the devastation, people had begun to
wave and smile at the cameras. Children had set up their piko courts and
other playthings amidst the rubble. International news broadcasts showcased
victimized Filipinos gathered around a fire, singing and laughing.
Will we forget the overwhelming charity that swept Samar by
storm? Despite the conflicts in the Middle East and the economic crisis
in Europe, the international community paused and as one, poured their
sympathy and help to the Philippines; countries, organizations, corporations
and foreign individuals sent monetary donations, military and medical
aid, relief goods and equipment. There is China which, despite its conflict
with the Philippines, gave US$400,000 and supplies. There is the internet
community, with sites like Tumblr and Twitter conducting their own
Yolanda relief effort. There is the by now famous Japanese boy who broke
his piggy bank and went to the embassy to give all his savings. Then there
is the Scholastican who, in spite of their heavy backpacks, found effort to
carry contributions for the garage sale.
Our own country, divided by political scams, Moro conflicts, and
geographical barriers, rose as one nation. Witnessing unity and the sincerity
of Filipinos here and abroad is like witnessing the KKK evolution firsthand.
Without any prompt, Filipinos - strangers, youth, families – from as far as
Batanes, Mindanao, San Francisco, Saudi Arabia, gave their prayers and
tangible help. Will that, too, be forgotten?
Super typhoon Yolanda is a story of death’s omnipresence, of
humankind’s suffering, of nature’s wrath. But more than this, Yolanda is a
story of life’s hope, of humankind’s solidarity and of nature’s resilience.
Do not forget this story, Scholasticans.
Do not forget this tragedy.
Do not forget Yolanda. z
4
DECEMBER 2013
Sister Angelica says
Faith keeps us alive
By Rain Javinez, Eunice Miña, Ella Baduria, Angela Tiausas, AJ Manuel, Julia Ornedo, Roline Ricafort, Noemi Mejia and Tea Ty
For the past several
weeks, the SSAM community
has been raising awareness
and initiating relief operations
for the victims of super
typhoon Yolanda.
To note, Tacloban and
Ormoc City were among the
worst-hit areas by the monster
storm Yolanda last November
8, 2013.
In these critical times,
the Benedictine community,
alumnae association, faculty
and staff, students and their
parents have joined hands in
the hope that they could save
lives and bring hope in the
midst of distress.
SSAM directress Sister
Angelica
Leviste,
OSB,
herself, took the cudgels of
helping the victims of this
monstrous typhoon through
information
dissemination
and providing assistance in
the form of cash and kind.
Blue Heights had an
exclusive interview with
SSAM
directress
Sister
Angelica Leviste, OSB.
Blue Heights: Tell us
what happened to our sister
schools during the super
typhoon Yolanda.
Sr.
Angelica:
Our
Benedictine Sisters at St.
Scholastica’s College in
Tacloban left a day before the
typhoon arrived. The news
about the intensity of this
typhoon was alarming. So,
our Sisters went to Divine
Word Hospital in Tacloban.
The next day, the surge
came, which was a wall of
water reaching 6 meters high,
even taller than our school
building. The surge came not
only once, but four times,
destroying more and more
properties and buildings each
time. Looters came later on
and stole some stuff from the
convent.
At the Divine Word
Hospital,
there
were
initially 159 patients and it
dramatically increased after
the flood since those who
were injured and wounded
came to seek help. Among
these patients, seven were
in the Intesive Care Unit.
Later, the current went off
and there was power failure.
Ten patients did not survive.
Tacloban was cut off from
the rest of the world for two
days. Fortunately, there were
no casualties among our
Benedictine
communities,
although the event caused
them to have traumatic
experiences.
Blue
Heights:
What’s the current situation
in the Benedictine
communities
in
Eastern Visayas?
Sister Angelica:
It is a ‘total wreck’.
The disaster that
befell the school
in
Tacloban
was tragic.
Everything
was blown
away by the
wind in all
directions.
SSAM Directress Sister Angelica Leviste, OSB with Blue Heights members Ella Baduria,
Eunice Miña, Rain Javinez, Roline Ricafort, Angela Tiausas, Noemi Mejia, Julia Ornedo,
Tea Ty, and AJ Manuel.
There was nothing left after
the devastation of the super
typhoon. Another institution
damaged was the Divine
Word Hospital – the entire
lobby was flooded. It was
where the emergency room
and important machines
were located. Unfortunately,
during the typhoon’s strike,
the power was cut off, and
so was the life support of
two patients. We also have a
retreat house in Alang-Alang,
though not as special as the
one in Tagaytay, it’s also used
to train farmers. It was also
devastated by the typhoon.
St. Peter’s College in Ormoc
was not terribly destroyed as
the institutions in Tacloban.
BH: What were the efforts done
by our Alma Mater to help our
neighbors who were greatly
affected by the typhoon?
Sister Angelica: There were
many who wished to extend
their hand to the needy – the
school itself, the parents,
the students, the alumnae.
We received calls from the
alumnae abroad confirming
our present situation. They
sent medicines, relief goods
and cash. There was also this
student in Hong Kong. She
conducted a cake sale in order
to solicit donations.
They have been planning
to hold a ‘no-uniform day’
wherein they go to school
wearing colored tops (red,
blue, yellow, white) that
symbolize our Philippine flag
in order to remind them of
what happened. Also, your
fundraising drive called Kilos
Kulasa para sa Kapwa, which
earned P100,000.
Blue Heights: In the
aftermath of Yolanda, all of the
victims were left distraught.
What was the effect of the
typhoon on the victims’
behavior and emotions?
Sr. Angelica: They were
willing to risk everything for
the sake of getting enough
relief goods to sustain them.
Whenever a truck filled
with bags of relief items
would arrive, they would
run as fast as they could in
order to get some. However,
the looting incidents were
a disappointment. People
barged into houses, malls,
and even into the convent and
brought with them whatever
they could get. Laptops,
faucets, suitcases, and tables
were some of the things they
got from the convent. You can
really distinguish the good
and those who are not in times
like this. It is in these times
when the goodness of people
come in. Unfortunately, the
worst in people also come out.
There were looters who took
goods from our sister schools.
Blue Heights: How
important is faith in times of
calamities like this?
Sr. Angelica: Faith is
essential for the victims of the
recent typhoon to start anew
after the suffering they have
been through.
Having faith despite
adversity denotes people’s
willingness to take on a
second beginning in their
journey through life. Faith
keeps you alive. Other things
can be destroyed but your faith
will always be there. For the
victims, it will be their second
life, a second beginning. God
5
DECEMBER 2013
still haven’t contacted their
relatives?
Sister Angelica: Pray.
Let us extend our prayers
to our neighbors who have
not yet communicated with
their loved ones. Let us
pray sincerely that they are
safe despite the tragedy that
ensued in Tacloban, Leyte and
other areas.
If ever their loved ones
met an unfortunate demise,
we should condole with
them.
Be compassionate.
Blue Heights: In your
opinion, how do we respond to
this trial brought by Yolanda?
Sister Angelica: Let us
bear in mind the sufferings
of our brothers and sisters.
Let this be an inspiration
to us and help each other.
‘Magbayanihan’ tayo. Let us
not only work together, but
also become heroes (bayani).
We should extend our service
to others and through that
we can become modernday heroes. Let us not forget
to help the impoverished
through our efforts as Jesus
once had said: “As long as
you did it to others, you have
done it to me.” z
Sister Angelica welcomes the SSAM Alumnae Association
during the Holy Mass for the dead victims of typhoon Yolanda.
has His own reason, so there
should always be compassion
for both the living and the
dead.
Blue Heights: Are there
still projects that you want to
mobilize for the victims of
Yolanda?
Sister Angelica: At the
moment, we are focusing on
rebuilding the houses of those
who were affected. We cannot
only give them relief goods;
they need shelter. That is why,
we are planning to donate a
hectare of land as site for the
construction of their houses.
We’re also coordinating with
Gawad Kalinga and Habitat
for Humanity for the building
process. It’s also nice to
conduct another garage sale if
given the chance since the last
one was a success.
In the meantime, the
students of our sister schools
OPINION
Feet on the Ground
By Julia Ornedo
You are walking down
the street, carrying stacks
of books in hand, when
suddenly you trip over
your own shoelaces and
fall down hard. What do
you do? Are you going to
stay on the ground? No,
you wouldn’t. You would
stand up just as quickly as
will rent some classrooms in
other places because you can’t
build a building overnight.
Another is the no
uniform day, wherein students
will wear clothes in red, white,
blue, or yellow as a reminder
of the Philippine flag and of
those who were affected by
the super typhoon Yolanda.
Blue Heights: Are you
still accepting donations? If
so, where are the drop-off
points?
Sister Angelica: St.
Scholastica’s College Manila
cannot take in donations
because they’ll concentrate
on building. But with so
much help coming from the
people, we could send them
through other organizations
like Caritas and ABS-CBN.
Blue Heights: Do you
have a message for those who
you fell, and walk away as if
nothing happened.
That is life.
When you fall, you have
to pick yourself up. You stand
up and walk away.
Such was the courage
and strength of character
that our brothers and sisters
devastated by the Super
Typhoon Yolanda displayed
in the face of destruction.
Cadavers on the pavement
and on the streets, children
crying, people dying – all
these scenarios describe the
state in which the merciless
typhoon left the Visayan
region. Its 235mph winds tore
apart houses and buildings,
uprooted trees, turned over
boats. The unprecedented
Category 5 monster ruined
everything in its path and then
left.
The audio-visual room has been converted into a temporary dormitory of the Benedictine
Sisters at St. Peter’s College in Ormoc.
Yolanda has ravaged the
lands and lives of roughly
12.9 million people, and
has left 1.9 million of them
homeless. Relief goods and
medical services took a week
to reach their recipients, and
thousands of people were still
missing.
In times of tremendous
tragedies like this, how do
you force yourself to stand
up again? How do you rise
up when the world is full of
chaos everywhere you look? It
is almost impossible. Almost.
Victims’
televised
messages for their families
varied from “Sa mga
kapamilya ko sa Maynila,
okey kaming lahat dito,” to
“Patay na si Nanay. Wala
na kaming makain, tulungan
ninyo kami.” Even in times of
disaster, the world maintains
its perfect balance of good and
bad. Despite their different
experiences, however, these
people are bound by one thing:
their misery. Yet regardless of
the horrors they experienced,
they still chose to rise again.
They did not let the typhoon
win.
This is a salute to the
people of Visayas. They are
the epitome of strength. They
have proven to the world that
the Filipino spirit is indeed
waterproof and indomitable.
However, in the same way
that an injured leg needs time
to heal before it can walk
again, so do the victims need
time to recover and regain
what they have lost before
they can stand again. But we
tell them: you are not alone.
With this salute comes an
appeal: help. Help in whatever
way you can, for these
people are left with nothing
but the clothes on their
back. More than ever, these
people - your countrymen,
your brothers and sistersneed all the help they can
get. Let us help them rise to
their feet. Let us help them
live again.
Standing
up
after
tripping over your laces is
nowhere near as difficult
as having to stand up after
you’ve lost all your loved
ones
and
hard-earned
belongings, but it is never
impossible. This is a call for
unity, for solidarity. We are
a nation, and we will rise
together. We will help each
other rise from the rubble,
and we will continue to live.
Scholasticans, are you
ready to rise with us? z
6
DECEMBER 2013
Sister Alexis encourages Kulasas to lend a hand
By Jan Cuyco
In the face of this bleak
scenario, the survivors of
super typhoon Yolanda make
an effort to wear a happy
face while receiving relief
goods and cash donations
from different people and
various organizations. In the
face of this bleak scenario,
the Benedictine Sisters who
chose to stay in the severely
damaged institutions and
centers
have
remained
courageous while blessing
dead bodies of their people.
And in the face of this bleak
scenario, the only way to
survive is to have a strong
faith in God.
Grade school principal
Sister Alexis Lamarroza, OSB
poured out her emotions and
expressed her sympathy to the
people residing in Yolanda-hit
places such as Tacloban and
Ormoc.
Blue Heights: What has
the grade school department
done to mobilize relief effort
of SSAM?
Sister Alexis Lamarroza,
OSB: As early as July of
this school year, the grade
school
department
had
been encouraging pupils
to bring donations-in cash
or in kind-for our adopted
communities or for relief
operations. Incidentally, tropical depression “Habagat”
wrecked havoc in Marikina,
a 7.2 magnitude earthquake
shook Cebu and Bohol, and
super typhoon “Yolanda”
devastated Tacloban and
Ormoc. All these natural
calamities
had
greatly
affected lives and properties.
Thank God, we were able to
gather all our donations and
send them right away.
Blue Heights: Both
grade school and high school
departments are very active
in intensifying the social
involvement program, which
is why our Scholasticans
learn to share resources and
become person for others.
What did you feel when relief
efforts were immediately given
to our affected institutions in
Tacloban and Ormoc?
Sister Alexis: I realized
the great devastation and
destruction left by the monster
typhoon; many of us Sisters
promptly thought of giving
relief to the victims. So, last
November 10, Sunday, right
after our Confession, Sister
Theodora and Sister Celeste
left to buy goods and dropped
them at St. Scholastica’s
College Manila, while Sister
Rose Ann and I picked up
and labeled all the boxes of
relief goods from our grade
school pupils. These relief
goods were also sent to SCC
– Manila, too. We also bought
more bottled water and readyto-eat foods. However, the
first set of relief goods did
not reach our hospital in
Tacloban.
Blue Heights: What is
the impact of super typhoon
Yolanda on the lives of our
people now?
Sister Alexis: According
to government sources, an
estimated 615,000 residents
have been displaced which
mean there were 4.3 million
people have been affected and
caused major damages to lives
and properties in 29 provinces
in the Visayas region. It also
caused massive damages in
agriculture and infrastructure
worth P24.5 billion. Last
November 25, the National
Risk Reduction Management
Council (NDRRMC) said the
death toll from super typhoon
Yolanda stands at to 5,240
while 25,615 were injured
and 1,613 remain missing.
It’s
really
disheartening
to see how the people of
Tacloban suffered from the
pangs of the storm surge. Let
us continue supporting the
victims of Yolanda through
our unceasing prayers so that
they could overcome their
fears and trauma. I hope
we can help raise funds for
St. Scholastica’s College in
Tacloban. The school needs
to be transferred to a new
site and build a new school
building for our students there
from Kinder to College.
Blue Heights: With all
the help that is needed in the
typhoon-affected
regions,
what do you want to impart to
our Scholasticans?
Sister Alexis: Continue
praying that these donations
will really reach to the victims.
Let us not forget that in times
of tribulation, God is with us
and He will never abandon us
even to the end of time. His
love for us is eternal. I am
reminded of the Psalm 46:1-3
that says, “God is our refuge
and strength, always ready
to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear, even if
earthquakes come and the
mountains crumble into the
sea. Let the oceans roar and
foam. Let the mountains
tremble as the water surge!”
I think this is what God is
calling us to do during these
times; to remember that
God is our refuge. He is our
strength, so we should not
fear, no matter what happens.
God is reminding us to be still
and know that He is God, that
He is in control, and that He
will provide us whatever we
need. He will always make a
way.
Blue Heights: What is
your message for the Kulasas?
Sister Alexis: In a
few days’ time, we will
commemorate the birth of
our Messiah; let us not forget
to celebrate His birthday
for He is the reason for the
season. Let us be generous to
our brothers and sisters who
were devastated by typhoon
Yolanda. Let us be their
strength in times of need. Jesus
is our model who overcomes
fears and even death. He is
our HOPE. In Him, we trust!
Our faith in Him cannot be
conquered for we Filipinos
have faith that is stronger than
any killer typhoon! z
Benedictine nuns rescued at Divine Word Hospital
By Naia Soriano &
Trishia Sarmiento
“If not for the generous
hearts of our Sisters and
friends, Sister Anecita and I
would have been a big burden
to our companions in the
hospital for we’re already old
and sickly,” said the tearyeyed Sister Anna Capilitan,
OSB who was immediately
transferred to Manila by air in
the wake of typhoon Yolanda.
Sister Anna Capilitan,
OSB and Sister Anecita
Paculaba, OSB have been
assigned for missionary work
at the Divine Word Hospital
in Tacloban, where the storm
surge slammed into the
Visayas region with a speed of
350 kilometers per hour. The
76-year-old Sisters witnessed
the wrath of super typhoon
Yolanda in the morning of
November 8, 2013.
“We were prepared for
the coming of the storm, but
we didn’t expect the severity
it would cause to the affected
areas. The Sisters in the
hospital stayed in a safe place,
but others were in the chapel
during the storm. We could
actually hear the shrilling
sound of the wind and how
it had smashed into the
windows, doors and roofs of
our hospital,” Sister Anecita
recalled.
The
condition
in
the hospital worsened as
electricity bogged down,
water supply was cut, and
mobile communications were
paralyzed.
“Floodwaters
reached
knee-high, which was more
difficult for me to move
around. I am already 76 years
old and my body can’t move
Sister Anna Capilitan, OSB and Sister Anecita Paculaba,
OSB narrate how typhoon Yolanda made them stronger.
7
DECEMBER 2013
Sr. Rose Ann confident
Filipinos will rise again
The Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban City was not spared by
the monster typhoon.
as fast as I would have wanted
to. During the typhoon, we
were huddled in a room
and continued to pray for
the safety of our people. In
fact, many hospitals within
our area had already been
closed. The Divine Word
Hospital had become the only
refuge of the sick and injured
people that they could go
and be accommodated by the
Sisters,” Sister Anna revealed.
In the aftermath of
Yolanda, touted to be the
strongest typhoon in recorded
history to hit land, Sister Anna
described how the people of
Tacloban ran into the streets
to salvage some of their
belongings, to get immediate
medical assistance and to wait
for relief goods.
According to Sister
Anna, the retreat house in
Alang-Alang was heavily
damaged by Yolanda. There
were around 20 seminarians
stranded in that area, and
most of them hadn’t eaten
for three days. To survive
was the least that they could
do, so they killed a carabao,
and cooked it for their meal.
Relief goods could not be sent
easily as roads were badly
damaged and all power and
communication lines were
cut. It was a survival of the
fittest though.
“Our Sister in the Priory
was really worried about
our health condition, which
is why she exhausted all
possible means to have us
transported to Manila. In
the airport, we saw hundreds
of people waiting for their
flight. I felt relieved when
we boarded the plane and
flew back to Manila. There
we were warmly welcomed
by the Sisters at SSC,” Sister
Anecita said while massaging
her left leg to ease the pain
due to arthritis.
Sister Anecita, who
experienced working for 20
years in Tacloban, had left
her wondering about the great
destruction in a place rarely
visited by big typhoons.
“Tacloban has been
my home because I’d lived
there for 20 years before I
was transferred to Manila. I
was very happy when I was
assigned there again. I could
only imagine the sufferings
of the young and old people
from the fury of Yolanda,”
Sister Anecita said.
“We wish to thank
Mother Adelaida Ygrubay,
OSB (Prioress of Manila),
Sister
Mary
Thomas
“Tammy”
Prado,
OSB
(President of SSC Manila),
and Marianne Hontiveros
of Philippines’ SEAIR for
responding immediately in
our times of distress,” Sister
Anna said.
As of this writing, Sister
Anna and Sister Anecita
stayed at St. Benedict’s Home
in Marikina City for medical
care.
“Do not lose hope,
because God is always there
to send His angels to guide
and protect us. It takes time to
communicate with the Lord,”
Sister Anecita stated.
By Kirsten Ifurung &
Rain Javinez
When it comes to spiritual
development, the high school
department has a long list of
activities and programs to
share with other people.
High school campus
minister Sister Rose Ann
Leonardo, OSB, whose major
role is to increase one’s
faith and provide guidance,
incessantly prayed for the
safety of people affected by
the typhoon.
In this special ‘Yolanda’
feature, Sister Rose Ann
expressed her sympathy to the
victims.
Blue Heights: What was
your initial reaction when
news broke out that Tacloban
and Ormoc City were worsthit by super typhoon Yolanda?
Sister Rose Ann: Yes,
I thought about the safety
our Sisters and their current
condition. I also remembered
the families and relatives
of our Sisters in that area.
Likewise, I thought of the
students of St. Scholastica’s
College and the people in the
hospital, and in Alang-Alang
retreat house. After a day
or so, little pieces of news
started to come to us, reports
of winds blowing strongly,
houses collapsing and so on.
I got worried and scared. But
I trusted in God who listens to
our prayers and takes care of
us.
Blue Heights: What is
your opinion on the relief
efforts of our school for the
Yolanda victims?
Sister Rose Ann: I think
the activities and programs
done by our school was
successful and overwhelming.
I helped in the preparation and
in bringing the relief goods
to St. Scholastica’s College
- Manila. Also, I offered
prayers for the victims, though
I would like to call them
survivors because they had
survived the super typhoon.
Blue Heights: What’s
the next big plan of the
Benedictine Community for
FROM LEFT: High school principal Sister Ida Morin, OSB,
Directress Sister Angelica Leviste, OSB, Glee Club member
Arjane Gail Dominguez and Campus Minister Sister Rose
Ann Leonardo, OSB, who is giving spiritual talks to survivors
of typhoon Yolanda at Villamor Airbase.
the Yolanda victims?
Sister Rose Ann: We
plan to use the money
we received from various
sponsors for rehabilitation of
buildings and houses. We will
not anymore use the money to
buy relief goods, but instead
we will utilize the money to
help build their houses and
infrastructure.
Blue Heights: What is
your message to those who
have been very consistent in
helping the most needy?
Sister Rose Ann: I would
like to thank them for their
generosity because even
the simplest thing they had
donated was already a big
help.
Blue Heights: If you
could have a heartfelt
conversation with the victims,
what would you like to tell
them?
Sister Rose Ann: Never
give up. Within you is the
capacity to rise from this
situation. One hundred years
ago, you experienced the
same situation; Tacloban was
covered with water from the
Pacific Ocean, and that is
why it is called Tacloban natacloban. This means that
you can again move on and
rebuild Tacloban.
Blue Heights: Do you
have any prayers you may
share to the survivors of
typhoon Yolanda?
Sister Rose Ann: Loving
God, thank you for sending
generous people to help the
victims, the survivors of super
typhoon Yolanda. Thank you
for giving them the strength
and courage to rise upon this
tragedy. May they feel your
loving presence even in the
darkest times. Please help
them to move on with their
lives and start anew. Amen.
Blue Heights: What
is your perception towards
the holy images that remain
unperturbed despite the hard
blow of the typhoon?
Sister Rose Ann: What
struck me as I watched video
footages and looked at photos
was a man carrying the statue
of Sto. Niño in the midst of
the super typhoon. The Sto.
Niño held by this man is a
great symbol of his faith in
God. Unlike others, he did not
carry with him his personal
belongings, for he needed
nothing but God. He is just
one of those who showed
deep faith in the Lord in the
midst of darkness. z
8
By Julia Ornedo
The worst times reveal
the best in people.
Typhoon Yolanda ruined
the lives and properties of
thousands of innocent people
in places like Samar, Leyte,
Bohol, Bicol, Iloilo, Panay,
Cebu and Northern Palawan.
But it has not taken away
the inherent kindness of the
human soul, the resiliency of
the Filipino spirit and most
importantly, one’s faith in
God.
Sister Gabrielle Costumbrado, OSB currently works
as a missionary Sister from
the Divine Word Hospital in
Tacloban City. Being a healer
at heart, she felt compelled to
reach out and to accommodate
the survivors who were in
need of medical assistance
even though the damaged
hospital had limited rooms to
welcome people who needed
help.
“It’s so difficult to deny
people who are suffering,”
she said. The Divine Word
Hospital is the only hospital
left standing in Tacloban,
and all typhoon victims had
nowhere else to rush to for
help. They continued to
admit patients despite the
lack of water and electricity.
Fortunately, help arrived from
Korean and Davao Medical
Volunteers.
Being the head of the
Pastoral Care Office, Sr.
Gabrielle’s duty was to bless
the dying and baptize the
newly-born.
“Suddenly, the words of
scriptures and our prayers
became so real,” Sister
Gabrielle said.
The hospital had eight
cadavers that their families
could not take home because
of the lack of transportation,
but the military was able to
lend them cadaver bags.
When asked what the
experience has taught her,
Sister Gabrielle replied, “As
a Missionary, the meaning
of solidarity became more
alive.”
They suffered from the
wrath of the typhoon, and
they were stripped of the
conveniences they had at their
disposal before the disaster
struck, but Sr. Gabrielle and
the hospital’s medical staff
did not let that stop them from
DECEMBER 2013
Healers
and Heroes
Sister Gabrielle Costumbrado, OSB, who is assigned at the Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban,
monitors the condition of patients in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda.
performing their duties as
saviors of lives.
Being a recipient of
donations was also new to Sr.
Gabrielle.
“Now I am the recipient
of your generosity- dati, tagamobilize lang,” she said.
Sr.
Gabrielle
was
overwhelmed, and even cried,
upon seeing the donations that
came from the Benedictine
community. More help is
still needed, however. Sr.
Gabrielle appealed to the
Scholasticans to donate even
a pack of cotton or a box of
matches, because these will
already go a long way.
On what steps they plan
to take now to address the
growing need of the survivors
of the typhoon, Sister said,
“We were thinking of another
way to help the people, and it
would be to give materials to
rebuild their homes.”
Thousands of homes
have been ravaged, and
some people have no place
to go. The greatest concern
of the affected Benedictine
communities is housing for
all their employees. They are
also waiting for action from
the government regarding the
matter.
“Tell them not to get tired
of giving,” Sister Gabrielle
said.
Where there are needy,
there are those who are
needed. Sr. Gabrielle is a hero
for willingly sacrificing her
own needs to come to the aid
of those who plead for help.
The typhoon may have blown
away roofs and torn apart
buildings, but even that was
not a reason for these medical
volunteers to stop being the
heroes that they are. z
What is Yolanda?
By Alyssa Castro
Typhoon
Yolanda,
entered the country
on November 8, 2013
and left the following
day, leaving more than
5,000 people dead and
billions of pesos worth
of infrastructure and
agricultural damages.
But what exactly is
Yolanda?
Yolanda was classified as a Category 5
typhoon and one of
the strongest tropical
cyclones to ever make
landfall
in
recent
memory.
The wind speed of
the storm reached 195
miles per hour, stronger
than any other storm
recorded before.
Wind gusts even
reached 235 mile per
hour.
According to some
theorists, the storm was
formed because the sea
surface of the Pacific
was ‘unusually’ hot.
Typhoons are generally
formed when warm air
draws up water and
evaporates it, causing
more heat. Since the
surface of the water
was already hot, this
supposedly made the
storm grow stronger.
One of the major
reasons why there were
hundreds of victims
and casualties is that
the country did not
expect the severity of
the storm. There were
warnings given by the
weather bureau but
nobody really expected
Yolanda to be so
destructive.
Approximately 11.8
million people across
nine different regions
were affected by the
super typhoon.
Experts fear that
super typhoons like
this might be a regular
thing in the future. This
time, we will be more
prepared . z
9
DECEMBER 2013
PRAYERS
By Clara Rosales
Campus Minister Sister
Rose Ann Leonardo, OSB
leads the praying of the
rosary with the
high school teachers.
Where I come from, everyone is a hero
By Noemi Mejia
No one could have
portrayed the Filipinos’ sense
of resiliency better than
Ismael Mallari.
He told about the story
of the bamboo and the mango
tree. The two argued about
their strengths and asked the
wind to be their judge. The
wind blew, and the mango
tree remained tall and firm. It
would not sway nor yield, and
so in the end, its roots gave up
and the tree came tumbling
down.
The bamboo, however,
knew better. Every time
the wind blew, the bamboo
swayed along with the
current. In the end, the wind
got tired and the bamboo tree
gained the upperhand.
Pliant like a bamboo,
the Philippines surpassed
yet another test in the form
of typhoon Yolanda, known
internationally as Haiyan.
Described as the strongest
typhoon that made landfall in
the Visayas region, Yolanda
turned what was once a
city thriving with life and
development into a city of
cadavers and debris. Despite
the event having brought out
the worst in people, it also
proved how even in a modern
world, Filipinos still have
their sense of bayanihan.
Like the good Samaritan
in the parable, Roberto
Glory saved his nephew
from getting crushed by a
collapsing concrete wall in
the municipality of Tapiz,
in Panay. Roberto, however,
suffered numerous injuries.
Being a hero was
not always tantamount to
sacrificing one’s own life.
This was lived out by officers
from the 4th Infantry Division
in Cagayan de Oro, who gave
up a day’s worth of their
allowance as donations. As a
result, these men and women
in uniform came up with
an estimated P2 million for
the victims of the typhoon.
The Philippine Constructors
Association began working
even without government
orders. Lito Madrasto, COO
of International Federation
of Asian and Western Pacific
Contractors
Association,
stated how the PCA operates
voluntarily for the people and
for the country, making them
known for their immediate
disaster response.
A doctor from the Divine
Word Hospital in Tacloban
proved that it is always better
to give than to receive after
he kept on providing medical
assistance to his patients even
after the onslaught of the
super typhoon. People who
donate and provide relief
efforts anonymously show
that earning rewards and
seeking recognition are not
the only reasons for helping.
Who said kabayanihan
was only limited to Filipinos?
A doctor from the Israel
Defense Forces helped a
mother give birth to her son
in Bogo, Cebu. As a way
of expressing gratitude, the
child’s father named him
Israel. Shoichi Kondoh, a
six-year-old Japanese boy,
donated 5000 Japanese yen
or P2,200 to the Philippine
Embassy in Tokyo. He did not
hesitate to give his piggybank
savings to the victims of the
typhoon after seeing the news
on television.
No
matter
what
challenges and obstacles
come their way, the Filipinos’
faith, resiliency, and sense
of unity are what keep them
alive. Material possessions
may come and go, but faith in
the Creator of all will always
prevail in the end. z
The Filipino soul is quick to give even if he or she has so
little to give. After the incident, all efforts were made to bring
in all forms of donations in order to help the victims of Typhoon
Yolanda.
However, there is another heartfelt donation that cannot be
repacked in plastic. This is the one form of help anyone can
give - there is no need to shell out cash or unearth clothes of the
past from the deep recesses of one’s wardrobe - prayer is a truly
universal deed that can alleviate the burdens of those affected
by simply having the intention of helping. Through sincere
communication with God, solidarity is strengthened by faith.
Whenever it is time to pray, selected members from
Sodality of Our Lady and Pax Benedictina allotted their time
and patience to lead the whole school in solemn prayer. One
can hear the low echoes of a calm voice resounding in the halls
asking for the safety and well-being of people the community
barely knows, but still wishes to help and pray for. May it be
in the morning, noon, or dismissal, prayers for those in the
affected provinces do not cease, and one involuntarily includes
intentions for Yolanda victims if ever the prayer leader forgets
or is not heard clearly.
Prayer is not just a set of words stringed together and raised
to God with request and intention. It is so much more and it can
do even greater things. Something so trivial can unite nations
and turn things around. But prayer, most importantly, is the last
remnant of relief and hope left in the wake of a terrible tragedy.
It is a clutch to the Filipinos -- a clutch that remains, a clutch
that never fails. z
PRAYER FOR CALAMITIES
Archdiocese of Manila
God, our Father,
In faith, we acknowledge your care for us, your children.
In hope we trust in your Divine Providence
Of giving us wisdom and courage as we face
the challenges of life.
In love, we invoke your help and guidance
During these difficulties days of death and
destruction in our land.
Grant eternal peace to those who lost their lives.
Embrace the children who died in their innocence.
Help those who are hurt and cure those who are sick.
Encourage those who suffer
The destruction of their homes and properties,
And rise from their ruins and rebuild their future.
Bless all those who extend their helping hand
To those in need of food, shelter and clothing,
Who share their resources with others.
At your command the wind and the seas obey.
Raise your hand, Almighty God
And spare us from other natural disasters and devastations.
Teach us to be responsible stewards of your creation.
At this time of crisis, move us to share more
and to love more.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. z
10
By Bianca Blanco, Chelsea
Macahilas and Josephine
Esparrago
It may be a pre-Christmas
offering especially to the
adopted poor communities
as St. Scholastica’s Academy
Marikina opened its garage
sale dubbed as “Kilos Kulasa
para sa Kapwa,” a collective
effort of the high school
students and the faculty
members. In the desire to
provide financial assistance
to the needy residents of
Bohol after it was struck by
a powerful 7.2 magnitude
temblor last October 15,
2013, the high school
department organized this
fundraising activity in which
students were encouraged to
bring clothes, accessories and
books for selling.
Academic Coordinator
Ms. Anunciacion Gabor
stated that the garage sale was
conceptualized during the
Lectio Divina last October 18.
“In our exchanging
of ideas about the bible
verses, we also focused on
helping the victims of natural
calamities. I, together with
subject coordinators Mrs.
Jill Ann Dayag (TLE), Mrs.
Malou Pacis (Social Studies),
Mrs. Carol Soriano (CLE)
and Mrs. Maria Concepcion
De Dios (English) came up
with an activity that could
help raise awareness among
Scholasticans, and at the same
time solicit donations.
Seeing the urgency
to reach out to the victims,
the coordinators themselves
worked hand in hand to
speed up the process in
the mobilization of this
fundraising project. The first
garage sale was a tremendous
success as the sales of goods,
not to mention the cash
donations of the Kulasas,
reached P39,120.
Another tragedy befell
last November when a storm
surge hit Tacloban and Ormoc,
the two devastated places
in central Visayas, killing
more than 5,000 people and
sweeping their properties
away. Worse, St. Scholastica’s
College and the Divine Word
Hospital in Tacloban and St.
Peter College in Ormoc were
severely damaged by the
super typhoon.
DECEMBER 2013
Garage sale for a cause
Sharing through selling
Ms. Gabor, together with
the high school coordinators
and teachers, made an appeal
again to the high school
students for another garage
sale dedicated to the Yolanda
victims.
The two-day sale of
clothes, books, accessories,
shoes, among others was then
open for public, particularly
to poor families. To note,
all goods were pegged for a
friendly price ranging from 5
– 100 pesos.
“The amount raised
from the activity was P57,936
and cash donations totaled
P54,007. Although the garage
sale was over, donations from
students, alumnae and parents
keep going on,” Ms. Gabor
said.
During the garage sale,
different subject areas took
turns in selling the items.
Students also volunteered in
sorting and folding of donated
clothes during their free time.
Administrators and subject
area coordinators monitored
purchases and recorded cash
donations. All these efforts
were for the victims of the
calamities. “Big or small, all
that matters is that you have
helped,” Ms. Gabor stated.
Grade 9 student Misha
Segarra was delighted to see
how the Kulasas tried their
best to help the needy people.
“When I saw donated
books and clothes, I felt the
value of unity and compassion.
I did not only see the efforts of
the faculty but also the care of
the student body. This showed
that the Filipino people are not
only one in times of triumphs,
but also in times of distress,”
Segarra said.
Sydney Lagos, a grade
9 student, said, “I was able
to feel the spirit of bayanihan
and compassion. I also
remember that anyone can be
a hero if the heart is pure. It
just goes to show how much
hope, kindness and heroism
could dominate over tragedy.”
As of this writing, another
garage sale is in the offing. z
ABOVE: Sr. Theodora
Bilocura, OSB receives a
cash donation from the
high school department
that spearheads a garage
sale for the victims of
natural calamities.
MIDDLE: High school
teachers sort out clothes
donated by the students.
BELOW: CLE teacher
Mr.
Dexter
Gonzales
encourages students to buy
clothes and accessories sold
at cheaper prices. Proceeds
go to typhoon victims.
11
DECEMBER 2013
SOSA donates hygiene
kits to SSC Tacloban
By Tea Ty
The Student Organization for Social Action club
mobilized the SOSAGIP
project last November 22,
2013. Hygiene kits meant for
the survivors of the super typhoon Yolanda were prepared
and repacked by the SOSA
members.
The contents of the kits
include new sets of underwear,
sanitary napkins, diapers, bath
soap, toothbrush, toothpaste,
and shampoo. These hygiene
necessities were donated by
the club through its depository fund.
The packages will be
forwarded to SAGIP Kapamilya, the ABS-CBN foundation conducting relief good
services for the recent calamity. The charity had been the
SOSA club’s partner organization in its recent programs.
These kits intend to alleviate the unnoticed hygiene
crisis in the Visayan stricken
cities. “Most of the donations
for the victims of the typhoon
are food and clothes. Personal
hygiene and sanitation of the
victims are not given much
priority, specifically the needs
of women and children.” said
SOSA club moderators Mr.
Mar Evan Morales and Mrs.
Rowena Dela Peña.
The SOSAGIP program upholds the Benedictine
spirit, intensifying education
in responding to the signs of
the times, strengthening the
student’s social responsibility and showing Benedictine
Leadership for social transformation. z
By Julia Ornedo
“$13,500 and still counting.”
This is what Jenine Diaz
wrote on her Facebook wall
pertaining to the funds she
had raised for the victims of
super typhoon Yolanda.
The Batch 1983 SSAM
alumna and full-blooded Filipino moved to Dauphin County, Pennsylvania 27 years ago.
Upon hearing the news about
the destruction brought about
by super typhoon Yolanda,
she devised a plan to reach
out to the victims despite her
being miles away from her
homeland.
“I sat down and looked at
the real news, the actual photos, and then I got paralyzed,”
said Jenine.
As a response to the tragedy, Jenine decided to cook
and sell soup as a fundraiser.
She says, “It’s easy and it’s
cold and I knew I can turn on
the stove and make batches of
them.” Her goal was to raise
awareness of the needs of the
survivors of the typhoon.
A week after Yolanda hit
the Philippines, Jenine mobilized her plan and started selling soups at $5 per bowl.
Proceeds were sent to
the typhoon victims through
her brother, Jose Joson, and
mother Polly, who both went
to Samar to help.
In her Facebook status,
Jenine also thanked those who
participated in the Yolanda
Relief Effort in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.
On another note, the
Damayan and Tiyaga Foundation was created to help the
needy especially those affected by natural calamities.
A helping hand knows
no boundaries. Anywhere you
are, your kindness means so
much to the victims. z
Kulasa cooks soup in Pennsylvania
for the benefit of typhoon victims
‘Helping the Self’
By Cara Olaguer
After the recent debacle
brought by the catastrophic
typhoon Yolanda, people
from the major islands of Visayas were left devastated and
confused.
Although authorities have
done what they could to provide protection and relief to
the survivors and rehabilitation in the area, victims of the
calamity still face the forlorn
aftermath of the storm surge.
How do they progress after the stress brought upon by
the storm?
In this case, the Reintegration for Care and Wholeness
Foundation, Inc. (RCWFI)
offers its assistance by providing talks on Pyschological
First Aid facilitated by Harriet H. Hormillosa. Recently,
Student Development Center
head Ma. Violeta Ochave,
RGC, together with high
school life mentors, attended
the said talk to gain knowledge and skills in the pursuit
to help the affected victims.
The Pyschological First
Aid (PFA) deals with the trau-
ma bequeathed by stressors
from the abominable event.
The speaker explained that
PFA help victims to recuperate by encouraging interdependence.
For the volunteers who
are assigned in distressed
areas, she advised them to
listen and allow the victim
to keep talking. She also said
that the aides should be wary
of survivors who keep coming
back because they tend to take
advantage of this situation.
The assistance given by
this relief was meant to provide support and promote
“helping the self”.
Recommended by the
World Health Organization
(WHO) as “the most appropriate response for survivors
immediately after a disaster,”
the PFA intends to help the
victims overcome their trauma and move them towards
a brighter future only they
could make.
For in the long run, the
PFA strives to achieve the
psychological equilibrium of
the survivors. z
Alumnae association
initiates relief efforts
By Julia Ornedo
In the midst of crisis and calamities, Scholasticans remain
unperturbed as they have always believed that God is full of
mercy especialy to those who call out to Him.
The call for help and refuge of the people in the Visayas
region during the super typhoon had torn the hearts of the
many and moved their human spirit. Every individual, every
community and every country tried all the means to address a
single region’s immediate needs such as food and shelter.
Because of this harrowing experience, SSAM Alumnae
Association organized a series of fundraising activities for
the victims of Yolanda, especially the affected Benedictine
communities in Tacloban and Ormoc.
SSAMAA organized relief operations and sponsored a
Holy Mass for the dead victims of typhoon Yolanda. The Mass
was held at the SSAM Chapel last November 24.
Relief goods donated by the Scholasticans were
immediately sent to the victims who at that time experienced
scarcity of water, food, and medicines.
Coincidentally, Batch ‘83 celebrated its 30th anniversary
reunion last November. Called Pearl Jammin’, the event was
also highlighted with compassion for the most needy. Funds
during the registration reached P11,000 and were formally
given to SSAM directress Sister Angelica Leviste, OSB. z
12
Unos
Ni Bianca Blanco, Noemi
Mejia at Kly Macaraeg
Karamihan, kung hindi
man lahat, ay takot sa unos.
Lalaki o babae, mayaman o
mahirap, ayaw makaranas ng
mga ganitong sitwasyon sa
buhay.
Kaya naman, sa mga
nangyayari sa ating bansa
ngayon, marahil ay sumagi na
sa isipan ng ilan: “May Diyos
pa nga ba?”
Kung nakarinig ng mga
kwento tungkol sa kalamidad
na ito ay maaaring nagdududa
na sa Kanya, paano pa
kaya silang mga biktima at
naapektuhan ng unos?
Sa bigat ng problemang
dinulot ng kayraming hindi
kanais-nais na pangyayari sa
ating mga kababayan ay hindi
malabong nagdududa sila sa
kakayahan at kapangyarihan
ng Panginoon.
Sila’y
nawalan
ng
bahay, negosyo, ari-arian,
at mga mahal sa buhay.
Hindi madaling sabihin sa
mga biktima na ayos lang
ang lahat at kakayanin
nilang
malampasan
ang
mga ito sapagkat walang
nakakaintindi sa tunay nilang
nararamdaman. Ito’y dahil
sa hindi lang ang kanilang
paligid ang nawasak ngunit
pati na rin ang kanilang mga
puso at pag-iisip. At dahil
nga “wasak” ang pag-iisip,
nagawa nilang magduda. Ito
ang unos na pinakamabigat
at pinakamapaminsala sa
lahat – ang pagkupas ng
paniniwala sa Kanya. Ang
minsang mawalan ng tiwala
sa Kanya ay may katiyakang
makagugulo
sa
buhay
ninuman, at malamang ay
naranasan na ito ng ilan.
Ang nararapat nating
gawin, bilang mga kababayan nila ay ang palakasin ang
kanilang loob at ibalik ang
pagtitiwala’t pananampalataya sa Diyos.
Sapagkat, kapag ito ang
pinairal, siguradong maluluwagan ang mga dibdib ng
mga biktima at maliliwanagan ang lahat. Babalik ang paniniwalang tanging ang Diyos
ang ating tanggulan at ang
makatutulong sa lahat sa mga
panahong tila wala ng silbi
ang buhay.
Dito sa SSAM ay may
mga kapamilya tayong tagaLeyte at Samar. Narito ang
kanilang kuwento tungkol sa
kanilang mga mahal sa buhay
na nasa Visayas.
ARMAND ODEVILLAS
Computer Teacher
Sa
aming
pamilya,
dalawa sa aking mga kapatid
ang nasa Guiuan, Leyte na
sigurado akong ligtas sila.
Mas kaunti ang mga namatay
sa Guiuan marahil dahil sa
magagaling lumangoy ang
mga taga-Guiuan. Mayroon
din akong kapatid sa Burauen,
Leyte at isa pa sa Tacloban.
Wala pa kong balita sa aking
kapatid na nasa Tacloban
dahil wala pang maayos na
sistema ng komunikasyon.
Nag-aalala ako sa mga
kapatid ko at hindi ako
makatulog lalo na’t wala na
kaming mga magulang. Sinusino pa ba ang magtutulungan
kundi kami kami na lang?
Sa ngayon, problema
nila ang gutom dahil walang
dumarating na relief goods
dahil sa korapsyon sa mga
LGUs. Kung hindi nahuhuli
nang dating ang mga relief
goods, bawas ang mga ito.
Kahit na wala akong planong
umuwi sa Guiuan, inaalam
ko pa rin ang kalagayan nila
at sinisiguro kong nabibigay
ko ang pangangailangan nila
hanggang sa abot ng aking
makakaya.
Dahil sa Guiuan ako nagaral ng hayskul at kolehiyo,
napansin ko rin ang mga
pagbabago sa lugar noong
umuwi ako dahil sa pagpanaw
ng aking nanay. Kahit na
hindi ko pa nakikita ang
kalagayan ng Guiuan matapos
ang
bagyong
Yolanda,
ikinalulungkot ko pa rin ang
nangyari.
Mahalaga ang pananampalataya sa Diyos lalo
na’t wala tayong ibang
panghahawakan. Hindi natin
hawak ang buhay natin.
Humihingi ako ng panalangin
mula sa mga Kulasa. Ipagdasal
niyong pabutihin ng Diyos
ang sitwasyon ng ating mga
kapatid sa Tacloban. Ngayon,
ang
tanging
magagawa
natin ay magdasal at maging
mabuting
kababayan
sa
pamamagitan ng pagsuporta
sa ating mga community
involvement programs.
Edmer Marito
Maintenance Staff
Nang magkausap kami
ng aking nanay na nakatira
sa Tacloban, malakas ang
ulan at hangin kung kaya’t
dali-dali silang lumikas. Ang
bahay namin ay malapit sa
dagat kung kaya’t inaasahan
talagang tataas ang tubig sa
ganitong panahon. Segundo
lamang daw ay biglang taas
na ng tubig pero lahat ng
kabahayan doon sa sa lugar
namin ay na-wash out ng
bagyong Yolanda.
Sobra akong nag-alala
sa kung anuman ang kanilang
kalagayan noong kasagsagan
ng bagyo. Umaasa na lamang
ako sa balita ng telebisyon
dahil wala ng komunikasyon
sa lugar ng aking nanay.
Hindi talaga ako mapakali at
ang nasa isip ko na lamang
ay ang tumawag sa Maykapal
na sana’y walang masamang
nangyari sa kanila. Wala
naman akong magawa dahil
malayo ako sa kanila. Sa
kasalukuyan ay hirap pa
sila sa kanilang kalagayan
dahil wala silang matinong
masisilungan at kapos pa sa
pagkain. Ang mga bata ay
nagkakasakit na at wala na
po silang mga tirahan kasi
talagang nawasak na lahat.
Sana po ay matulungan ninyo
kami. Salamat po...
Jose Espina,
Maintenance staff
Ang sabi ng nanay at mga
kapatid ko noong kasagsagan
ng bagyong “Yolanda” akala
nila katapusan na ng mundo
sapagkat habang binabayo
sila ng malakas na hangin at
ulan parang nasa loob daw
sila ng washing machine na
umiikot dahil ramdam nila
ang lakas ng hangin na parang
sumasagitsit o pumipito.
Mabuti na lang sa awa ng
Diyos sila ay nakalikas sa
simbahan na malapit sa amin
dahil kung hindi siguradong
patay talaga sila. ang lahat
ng mga punongkahoy at puno
ng niyog ay bumagsak pati
na ang aming bahay ay wala
ng mga bubong ganun din
ang aming mga kapitbahay
mas malala dahil sa bukod sa
nawalan sila ng mga bahay
ay namatayan pa sila. Mas
naging mapalad pa kami
dahil sa walang namatay sa
aming pamilya. Ang una kong
ginawa ay tinawagan ko sila
ngunit wala ng komunikasyon
dahil lahat ng poste ng
Meralco ay nagsipagbagsakan
pati ang cell site. Tatlong araw
bago namin nakausap ang
aming mga mahal sa buhay.
Nang malaman naming ligtas
sila talagang abot-abot ang
aming panalangin at dasal
ngunit, nakalulungkot dahil sa
napakaraming namatay. Ako
po ay nanalangin na sana ako
ay makahiram ng pera upang
maipadala sa kanila kasi
ang una kong naisip ay ang
pagkain nila. Sa awa ng Diyos
may ginawang instrumento
ang Panginoon at may isang
tao ang nagpahiram sa
akin agad. Kasabay nito ay
nagdasal nang nagdasal ako
na may tumulong sa kanila at
sa awa ng Diyos at nakaraos
din sila. Sa ngayon ay takot
na takot ang nanay ko at
mga kapatid lalo na kung
umuulan at masama ang
13
DECEMBER 2013
panahon. Nakapangangamba
dahil baldado na siya ni hindi
na makatayo o makalakad.
Sa awa ng Diyos may mga
nagpaabot sa akin ng tulong
at agad ay ipinadala ko sa
kanila. Sa kasalukuyan sila
nagtayo lamang ng maliit na
kubo upang may matirahan.
Reymar C. Martin
Maintenance Staff
Nagkaroon pa kami
ng komunikasyon ng aking
magulang noong Nobyembre
7. Pinalikas ko na sila nanay
at tatay sa bahay ng lola ko.
Kinabukasan wala na akong
komunikasyon sa kanila at ito
ay kasagsagan na ng bagyo.
Noong Nobyembre 9 ng
tanghali, tumawag ang nanay
ko at umiiyak kasi grabe raw
ang dinanas nila.
Para raw silang nasa
loob ng washing machine
na malakas ang hangin at
ulan na pinaikot-ikot lang at
nagliliparan daw ang mga yero
at pawid.Ang mga kapitbahay
namin ay nagsilikas na sa
simbahan at ang iba raw ay sa
paaralan na malapit sa amin.
Halos dalawang oras sila
binayo ng bagyo. Nag-iyakan
sila dahil nawalan ng tirahan
pero sa awa ng Diyos ay
kumpleto naman ang aming
pamilya.
Tawag ako nang tawag
sa kanila ngunit hindi ko sila
makausap kaya hindi rin ako
makatulog dahil sa labis na
pag-aalala sa kanila.
Isa ako sa tumulong sa
pagrepack ng relief goods
sa Caritas Seminary at
kasama ko ang mga kapwa
ko maintenance sa SSAM.
Sa kasalukuyan ay okey
naman sila, sa awa ng Diyos,
pero walang bahay. Hirap
sa pagkain at matagal daw
ang pagdating ng mga relief
goods. Ang mga bata ay
nagkakasakit na at walang
suplay ng gamot. Sana po ay
matulungan ninyo kami.
Dalisay na pakikiisa
Ni Angela Tiausas
Sunud-sunod
ang
kalamidad at trahedya ang
dumating sa bansa nitong mga
nakalipas na buwan.
Sa katunayan, kahit
ngayo’y sariwa pa sa isipan
ng mga Pilipino ang balita
hinggil sa pananalasa ng
bagyong
Yolanda,
ang
tinaguriang pinakamalakas na
sigwa sa talaan ng mga bagyo
sa Pilipinas.
Matapos ang sakuna,
unti-unti nang bumabangon
ang mga mamamayan sa mga
lalawigan ng Samar, Cebu,
Iloilo, Panay at Leyte. Ang
muling pagtindig na ito ay
naisagawa dulot ng labislabis na tulong na iniabot ng
mga indibidwal na handang
magserbisyo para sa mga
hindi gaanong mapalad.
Higit pa, ang pakikiisa ng
mamamayan sa mga nasalanta
ng sigwa ay nagpapahiwatig
ng pagmamalasakit sa kapwa.
Hindi maikakailang tunay na
marangal ang mga nasabing
gawain.
Gayunman,
masasabi
nga bang ang bawat kilos ng
pagtulong ay ginagawa nang
taos-puso?
Nakalulumbay isipin na
kahit sa gitna ng mabibigat na
suliranin ay umiiral pa rin ang
mga makasariling layunin.
Hindi maiiwasang mapaghulo
ang kariwaraang gaya ng
unos bilang isang oportunidad
na pagsamantalahan ang
kalagayan ng ating kapwa.
Namamalagi sa mundong
ito ang mga taong nagbibigay
o nag-aabuloy para lamang sa
gantimpala ng katanyagan at
waring mabuting reputasyon.
Mayroon ding mga napipilitan
lamang tumulong sa mga
nasawi sa kadahilanang ito ay
iniutos o kinakailangan.
Maaaring sabihin na ang
gawain ng pagbibigay ang
Kung dati-rati’y ang
aking pinapanood ay ang
paborito kong Koreanobela
sa telebisyon, ngayo’y ang
kalagayan ng ating mamamayan na nasalanta ng
napakalakas na bagyong
Yolanda ang aking inaabangan.
Hindi ko maisip kung
paano makaaahon sa hirap
ang mga taga-Tacloban at
Ormoc.
Paano na ang mga
paslit na nasa lansangan at
pilit na gumagawa ng paraan upang malamnan ang kumakalam na sikmura? Paano na ang mga matatanda
na hindi makakilos dahil sa
tinamong sugat sa katawan
o biglaang pagkahina ng katawan? Paano na ang kabuhayang nawasak ng bagyo?
Kung ako kaya ang nasa
sitwasyon na iyon, paano ako
makaaahon mula sa krisis ng
buhay? Saan ako huhugot
ng lakas upang makaahon sa
dagok ng buhay dala ng kalamidad?
Malamang isa rin ako sa
mga biktimang naghihintay
ng relief goods, naghahanap
ng pagkakakitaan at umaasa
na matulungan ng gobyerno.
Madaling sabihin na isa
lang ito sa pagsubok sa tao.
Madaling sabihin na makaaahon tayo sa oras ng kagipitan
at pag-aalinlangan.
Sinu-sino ba ang dapat
lapitan kapag nasa kritikal na
kondisyon ang bansa?
Ang bawat Pilipino ay
may responsibilidad sa kanyang kapwa. Sa panahon na
kritikal ang kondisyon ng
mahalaga, at hindi ang layunin
o dahilan ng pagtulong.
Ngunit kung ipagpapatuloy natin ang ganitong
pakikitungo sa mga suliraning hinaharap ng ating
bayan, siguro’y hindi na
nakapagtataka kung sakaling
manatiling limitado ang pagunlad ng ating bansa.
Ang pagsulong ng bayan
ay nababatay sa iba’t ibang
sanhi at napapabilang na
rito ang pakikiisa ng mga
mamamayan sa kanilang
kapwa-Pilipino. Kung ang
pagtulong natin sa mga
nasawi ay magkakaroon ng
masamang layunin, ang ating
serbisyong hinahatid sa mga
nasalanta ay hindi matatawag
na ‘gawain ng tunay na
pakikiisa.’Alalahanin
nating lahat na ang dalisay
na pakikiisa ay nauudyok
lamang ng isang bagay na
may kakayahang tipunin ang
sangkatauhan. Ang entidad
na ito ay tinatawag na
pagmamahal, isang bagay na
naipapakita mayroon o wala
mang sigwa. z
Munting
Tinig
Ni
Gng. Laniflor Adigue
Pilipinas, kinakailangan ang
agarang pagsaklolo at kalinga
sa mga biktima ng kalamidad.
Masdan mo ang bansang
Pilipinas. Hindi ba’t napakayaman ng ating bansa kung
sa likas na kalikasan ang paguusapan? Hindi kaya isa itong
paalala na may mas na nakatataas sa ating lahat?
Napansin mo bang natututo tayong manalig sa Kanya
sa mga panahong ito? Napansin mo rin bang natututo na
tayong magdasal?
Dapat ay pag-ibayuhin
pa ang ating pananalig sa
Panginoon upang anumang
oras na dumating ang Kanyang paghuhukom tayo ay
handa.
Sabi nga, higit na mainam kung laging ilalaan ang
sarili para sa pagbabago at
pananatili na pagkakaroon
na busilak na puso sa lahat ng bagay. Dalangin ko
na sana ay maisakatuparan
ko ito sa aking pang-arawaraw na pamumuhay at sa
ang aking pakikisalamuha
sa kapwa. z
14
Panginoon ang ating kalinga
Ni Alexia Manuel
Poot, lungkot, galit
at kahinaan ng loob - mga
emosyong nangibabaw sa
ating mga kapwa Pilipino na
sinubok ng bagyong Yolanda.
“Bakit ako? Bakit kami?
Bakit dito?”
Ito ang ilan sa kanilang
hinaing na madalas nating
maririnig sa radyo, pahayagan
at telebisyon na pumupukaw
sa ating mga damdamin.
Dahil sa malayo tayo sa kanila
ay hindi natin maiiwasan na
pabayaan na lamang itong
umalingawngaw sa ating mga
tainga at magbingi-bingihan.
Pero sa loob natin,
mayroon pa ring pagkukusa at
sigaw ng bayanihan.
Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, totoong nakasugal ang
pananampalataya ng bawat
isa sa kanila; pananampalatayang maaaring winasak rin
ng bagyo o napanatiling matibay tulad ng isang Pilipino sa
gitna ng delubyo.
Ano nga ba ang
pananampalataya, at bakit ito
ang kailangang panghawakan
ng mga biktima ng bagyo sa
mga panahong ito?
Ito ay ang kanilang pagasa. Hindi man ito ang magpapakain o sisilong sa kanila,
ito naman ang magbabaga sa
kanilang pagkatao. Ito ang
magsisilbing gasera sa isang
madilim na gabi.
Sa pangyayaring ito,
maraming puso ang nawalan
ng pag-asa dulot ng hirap
at pagkamatay ng kanilang
mga kapamilya. May mga
iba na tuluyang nalihis ng
landas at piniling sisihin
ang Panginoon sa kanilang
paghihirap, at lahat ng ito ay
nagpapahiwatig na nagpadala
ang mga Pilipinong ito sa
bagyong sumubok sa kanila.
Hindi ba’t kung walang
pananampalataya, mas lalong
wala tayong nakikitang liwanag. Kung mayroong iba
na nawawalan ng pag-asa,
karamihan naman ng mga
nasalanta ay nagkakaroon ng
mas matibay na pananampalataya.
Sa pagdaan ng bagyo,
ang tanging yakap nila ay
rosaryo at mga poon ng mga
santo, Birheng Maria at si
Hesus.
Sa
mga
Pilipinong
ito, buhay na buhay ang
pag-asa nilang muli silang
makakabangon sa gabay ng
Panginoon.
Para sa kanila, ang
pananalig ang kanilang lakas
espiritwal, tulad ng tubig at
pagkain na bumubuhay sa
isang tao. Mapapatunayan
dito na totoong mas malakas
ang Diyos kaysa sa kahit ano
pang pagsubok o problema
ang dumaan sa ating buhay.
Gaya ng takipsilim,
pagkatapos ng araw ay
susunod ang gabi o dilim at
ang ating pananampalataya sa
Diyos ang tutulong sa ating
lumiwanag kahit sumapit
pa ito nang hindi natin
napapansin. Madalas tayong
mabibigla sa mga surpresang
ibibigay sa atin ng tadhana at
wala tayong ibang magagawa
bagkus ay maghanda tayo.
Maghanda at manalig.
Tayo’y mga Pilipino.
Ngayon pa ba tayo susuko
kung kailan marami na
tayong napagdaanan? Kapit
ka lamang kaibigan, nariyan
ang Diyos na laging handang
gumabay at umahon sa atin sa
sakit na napagdaanan. z
Ang mga relief goods na ito ay nakarating na sa kanilang dapat patunguhan.
Bayanihan
Ni Josee Abriol
Hindi na bago sa bokabularyo ng mga Pilipino ang
salitang bayanihan.
Karaniwan itong nagagamit tuwing may delubyong
dumarating sa ating bansa
tulad na lamang ng bagyong
Yolanda na nangyari lamang
kamakailan.
Sa lakas ng bagyong ito,
nagawa nitong sumira ng
matitibay na gusali, kabahayan at ari-arian. Higit na
malubha, kumuha ng mahigit
limang libong buhay sa mga
lugar na kayang sinagasaan.
Kawalan ng pag-asa dahil sa mga kalunos-lunos
na pangyayari ang tiyak na
pumapaimbulog sa mga kapwa nating Pilipino na naroon.
Ngunit, dahil sa napakalaking
tulong na naiambag ng mga
Pilipino, ito man ay pagliligtas ng kapwa o pagbibigay
serbisyo o donasyon, ang kakaunting pag-asang natitira
sa mga naninirahan doon ay
unti-unting nadadagdagan.
Nakatataba ng puso ang
mapanood sa telebisyon ang
mga kabayanihang nagawa
ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan para sa mga biktima ng
napakalakas na bagyo.
Mayroong mga nabalitaang nagligtas ng kanilang mga
kapitbahay sa gitna ng unos,
mga motoristang tumungo pa
sa Visayas para lamang tumulong, at mayroon namang mga
mamamahayag na handang
magbuwis ng kanilang buhay
para lamang makapagbigayulat ukol sa mga pangyayari
sa mga nasawing lugar. May
mga propesyonal din na du-
mayo pa sa Visayas para
lamang maghatid serbisyo
at kaginhawaan. Maraming
mabubuting loob ang taospusong namahagi ng kanilang
mga limitadong kayamanan
at kakayahan. Ang bawat
isa’y taos-pusong nagbigay
ng anumang tulong na kaya
nilang maiabot para sa ikakabubuti ng karumal-dumal na
kalagayan sa Visayas. Nakakatuwa rin na marami ring
mga hindi natin kalahi ang
hindi nagdalawang-isip na
magbigay ng tulong upang
makabangon ang Pilipinas
mula sa delubyong kinaharap
nito. Ayon nga sa Palasyo,
hindi na limitado ang bayanihan sa mga Pilipino. Matatawag na ring bayanihan ang
pagtulong nga mga taga-ibang
bansa sa Pilipinas.
Ang bayanihan ay ‘di na
kailanman nawala sa dugo
nating mga Pilipino. Hiwahiwalay man ang mga isla ng
Pilipinas, hindi ito kailanman
naging sagabal sa pagkakaroon ng isang nagkakaisang
bansa. Kung tatanungin ang
mga Pilipino kung bakit puspusan ang kanilang pagtulong
sa mga nasalanta, tiyak na
maraming sasagot na ‘Ito’y
para sa bayan’. Ang pagiging bayani ng isang Pilipino
sa maliit ngunit mabisa niyang paraan ay likas na regalo
mula sa Maykapal. Hindi lahat ng mga bansa ay may mga
katangi-tanging bayani na
hindi man mapangalanan at
mabigyan ng plaka ay patuloy
pa rin sa pagbibigay serbisyo
at tulong para sa kanilang mga
kababayan. z
15
DECEMBER 2013
GISING NA, WALA NA SI YOLANDA
Ni Chelsea Macahilas
Sabi nila, nasa likod ng mga trahedya, doon nakukubli
Ang istorya ng mga ‘di kilalang bayani’t mabubuti –
Mga bayani nasa likod ng mga masasamang pangyayari
Kapit-bisig sa pagtutulungan, kahit ano mang mangyari.
Nagtutulungan din para gisingin na ang isa’t isa
Sa isang masamang panaginip na sumalanta
Panahon na rin kasi para matutong bumangon at
matutong umasa
Sapagkat sumikat na ang araw na sumisimbolo sa
bagong umaga.
Hindi man madaling bumangon sa pagkakahiga,
Hindi naman pwedeng maghintay na lang at tumunganga
Ang buhay – magpapatuloy ‘yan kahit wala ka,
kaya’t habulin mo na lang hangga’t may pag-asa pa.
Kulasa Ako,Tutulong Ako
Ni Cara Olaguer
Ang ‘yong pagsubok –
Kahit anong intindi
O pilit na pagkukunwari –
‘Di ko matatarok
Sapagkat itong siguwa
Na nagdulot ng ‘yong luha
Ay ‘di abot ng aking palad
Kahit na ikaw at ako’y kapuspalad.
Subalit ako’y Kulasa,
Ginagabayan ng ora at labora
At tinuruang sa kapwa’y maglingkod.
Sayo’y dala ng Yolandang pagdurusa,
Kaya narito ako – tutulong ako.
‘Di dahil ‘di ko tarok
Ang ‘yong pagsubok,
Ngunit ito’ng likas sa’king dugo.
Tutulong ako, kabayan –
At ang ‘yong pasan
Ay sabay nating batain,
At sumilong sa “lilim
Ng Kanyang malabay na pakpak”.*
Itaas ang ‘yong noo, kabayan –
At ibalong ang ‘yong paningin
Sa pagharap ng bagong kinabukasan.
*Salmo 91: 4
STAFF BOX
BLUE HEIGHTS
The official publication of St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina
High School Department
Tea Ty
Editor in Chief
Harrienica Hofileña
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Noemi Mejia u Julia Ornedo
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Clara Rosales
Managing Editor
Roline Ricafort u Bianca Blanco u
Raeven Davis u Josephine Esparrago u
Chelsea Macahilas u Alexia Manuel u
Angela Tiasus u Janica Año u Jan Cuyco
uAlysia Petras u Ella Baduria u Julia
Ortega u Maria Isabel Cruz u Rain
Javinez u Kly Macaraeg u Mia
Quisumbing u Kirsten Ifurung u
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Below is a letter from Sister Ana Maria Raca, OSB, addressed to the Benedictine
Community. Her letter chronicles a firsthand account of Yolanda’s wrath and a
promise of hope. Sister Anna serves at Divine Word Hospital-Tacloban, the only
hospital left standing in the stricken city.
Dear Sisters, administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni
of our Benedictine schools, and friends all over the world,
PAX!
Twelve days after the deadly super typhoon struck and flattened Tacloban City and neighboring
areas, it is only now that I have time, courage and strength to write and express my gratitude for
the outpouring of love and support you have shown for our suffering people. Our endless gratitude
to all of you wherever you may be.
On the night before the typhoon struck, we had 159 patients (7 of them in the ICU) at the
Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban City. We were 16 Sisters in all, living in the third floor of one
of the hospital buildings at the time of the calamity. Our hospital sisters’ community expanded to
this size because the Sisters assigned at St. Scholastican’s College-Tacloban decided to move to
us some minutes before the strong winds came. Had they not done so, one or the other could have
perished since their convent was 75% destroyed.
It is common knowledge that at the height of the typhoon and immediately after the aftermath,
Divine Word Hospital was the only medical facility left in operation since the other hospitals were
severely damaged. We salute our resident doctors, nurses and staff who were on a round the clock,
non-stop duty attending to all the victims of the typhoon.
On that Friday morning of November 8 when the terrifying winds struck the hospital, all
the air conditioning units in the patients’ rooms were literally flown down to the floors. We were
blessed that no one was hurt. Some rooms had broken glass windows and even broken doors. All
the patients were wheeled out of the rooms and into the corridors where they could be safer. As
soon as the patients were settled in the corridors, the Sisters led the praying of the rosary to calm
our fears.
On Sunday, November 10, we had to discharge all the patients without asking for payment
of their hospital bills. We had no more running water, electricity, medicines and food. However,
many of them still stayed in the hospitals for some more days because there was no transportation
or no more homes to return to. On the other hand, treatment for emergency cases of victims of the
typhoons never ceased. Since our emergency room in the ground floor was flooded, the lobby in the
second floor became our emergency room, full of bleeding patients. Ten patients died, including
two in the ICU who died when the life support were cut off due to power failure.
For two days, we were totally cut off from the rest of the world because no communication
lines functioned. UNICEF was then able to set up a center near the Police Station where people
could make free calls and have internet access. There I lined up with two other sisters just to
communicate with our Mother Prioress to assure her that we were all safe and to give her a list of
needed medicines and medical supplies for our patients.
Two of our buildings were unroofed; ceilings and electrical wirings were destroyed. Expensive
laboratory equipment, vehicles, laundry equipment and generators were soaked in water that
destroyed them. Our hospital floors were littered with broken glasses and our grounds with debris
and fallen trees. Our hospital staff continued to work under limited conditions – with limited light
and water.
Around us the scenes we saw were hard to take, the destruction and suffering were beyond
description. People walked in the rubble stunned and dumbfounded. Much tears flowed, pain could
not find speech.
In the midst of the immense darkness of the landscape, rays of light shone. It came from good
hearts – hearts that cared – and it reached us! Relief goods, medicines, financial help and various
forms of solidarity and support coming from all over the country and the whole world pierced
through the darkness and gave us hope and joy.
YOU were among those who responded in our time of need. YOU are this ray of light.
In the confusion and chaos during the first days of the arrival and retrieval of relief goods
coming to Tacloban, we received the first five boxes (the rest of them were retrieved at a later
time) from St. Scholastica’s College – Manila’s relief operations. They were 2 boxes of IV fluids,
2 boxes of Nips chocolates and a box of Bear Brand milk choco. The Nips were our supper for the
night and what saved us in the succeeding days when hunger came. To you who donated the Nips,
please know what it meant to us and how it became a symbol of hope. Please know that no action
is small in a situation of life and death.
For us who believe, destruction and death do not last but HOPE in a loving God who works
through His people like all of you.
In behalf of our community in Divine Word Hospital and St. Scholastica’s College, Tacloban
and all the suffering people of Tacloban and other affected areas, our prayers and gratitude. God
bless and reward you a hundredfold. Your goodness and your compassion will be our inspiration
in rising up again.z
Ever grateful,
Sister Ana Maria Raca, OSB
and the Sisters of Divine Word Hospital - Tacloban