Keeping the faith alive in the midst of suffering!
Angelica Cabiling Past Pupil, MHC College Canlubang & Faculty, MHCS (Cebu) Having seen and heard the situations of my brothers and sisters in Bohol and in Northern Cebu after two major calamities struck the Central and Eastern Visayas, I could not but shed tears and felt sorry for the victims. My heart was moved with pity and this feeling urged me to do something for the victims of the earthquake and typhoon “Haiyan”. Many thoughts were crossing my mind: so many things to attend to, my work and other commitments. But everytime I think of the victims, there was one clear idea that kept on coming back to me, that is, to help the victims in their situation of pain and suffering, even just through small acts of kindness. Materially speaking, I don’t have much to share, but I do have my time and my being to share. My heart was ready to give for what I believe was worth spending my time. I decided to gather some relief goods from my relatives in Cebu and then joined the relief operations in Brgy. Tauran, Inabanga Bohol with my other relatives last October 19 and that was the start of a series of relief operations from Bohol to Leyte. Three days after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Bohol and Cebu, we went to one of the mountainous areas of Inabanga in Brgy. Canlinte. The trip was fatiguing but upon reaching our destination we saw the smiles of the residents in the area and this made us forget our fatigue and discomforts. Despite their situation the people was keeping their faith alive! Deep in my heart I believe that we have been God’s hands and hearts for these people. It also turned out that they, too, with their hopeful aura, showed us God’s presence. My heart was filled with gladness having experienced the Lord’s goodness reflected in each member of the Educating Community who gave their time, effort and material resources. It left me a message that God wanted us to be united as His children here on earth so that we can be in solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters affected by the typhoon and earthquake.
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FMA Lifeline
The volunteers were instruments of God’s loving presence among the people. I was immersed in facilitating the distribution of goods and food preparation. I was challenged to carry out my tasks with the sole motivation of helping them go beyond their pain and suffering. They needed kind hearted people to make it through this trial. I was challenged to be gentle in dealing with them. Moreover, I was helped to bear my own personal pain at the moment. I realized, mine was so little compared to what these people are going through. I chose to be strong for them, to keep no room for selfpity anymore, because their suffering was more heartbreaking than mine.
Serving our People with Joy and Gratitude
Angelica (left) distributing relief packs in Ormoc, Leyte
I learned many lessons that helped me look at life positively and go on in my journey of becoming as I discern God’s will for me. I felt thankful and encouraged to live life to the full and let others know of God’s marvelous presence in their lives. Truly He is the one that gives us healing and keeps our faith alive.
Nancy (3rd from right) with the other volunteers
Mrs. Nancy Gonzales (Parent Volunteer Catechist) MHCS Minglanilla, Cebu The feeling that you can help people in your own little way is exhilarating, especially if you do not expect anything in return. I was very thankful I was given the chance to help in the repacking of relief goods for the earthquake and typhoon victims. Just by being together with my co-catechists and other parents volunteering in the repacking was already a great experience of oneness. During the packing of goods we can still find the time to laugh and bond, remembering that we are doing this sacrifice for other people who lost their homes, belongings and even loved ones. In San Remegio and Bantayan Island where I had the chance to meet the typhoon victims in person, for instance, looking at the faces of the recipients of the rice, canned goods, noodles and clothing was a humbling experience. You see faces raised up and beaming with joy as they wait to receive their goods. In Ormoc and Tacloban and in some remote areas like Barangay Veterano in Alang-alang, Barangay Libertad (Palo), Diit, Barangay Candahug (Palo), and in 4 Barangays in Tanauan, the Salesian Sisters gave their all in providing what was needed by the families. I admire their tenacity, patience and generosity, for no matter how tired and exhausted they were, they have shown how to look after the people in need, disregarding their discomfort and inconvenience. My hats off to the Sisters of Mary Help of Christians School (Cebu) who painstakingly spearheaded the relief operations in Bohol, Northern Cebu and Leyte.
Special Issue - FMA Relief Operations