Ninth on Ninth

 

Two hours early for my flight considering that the person I will meet at the airport will arrive later in the afternoon pa. Hahaha!! Oh. The scene later that I have in my head reminds me of Love Actually. *grins* 

Bismillahi mashaa Allah. :) 

P.S. 

Blogging at the airport using my iPod. First time. 

Also, it's our ninth monthsary today!!! Ninth on ninth, it is. :) 

Howdy, Pablo survivors?

Our recent medical mission to Tolosa, Leyte wasn't the first time I laid my eyes on the aftermath of nature's wrath. I have seen it exactly a year ago in Cateel, Davao Oriental. I remember having a vivid imagination of how the end of the world would look like, but I pray to be spared from the destruction, my friends and family and down to the 10th generation of my future children. Subhanallah. Only a Great Force can do something like this in a matter of minutes to hours. 

Coconut trees were uprooted and were scattered like matchsticks. :'( 

I wonder how the super typhoon Pablo survivors coped a year since the massive destruction. the great thing about us, Filipinos, is the strength and resilience that we show to the world. We easily move on. Perhaps, God is just testing our character and how much we can endure. But oh, Ya Allah, no more calamities please. I don't wanna see something like this again. :( 

Haiyan/Yolanda

I was given an opportunity to see what looks like a post-apocalyptic scene at Tolosa, Leyte. The ARMM health contingent was the first to arrive in the area. We have seen the sadness in their eyes and heard the mourning in their voices. It was heartbreaking beyond words.

Bangon, Pilipinas. 

The Zambo Mission

What happened in Zamboanga City few months ago stirred the whole nation. Peace and order instability has a domino effect on the society, economy, and ultimately, health status of the people. Hence, when the crisis broke out in Zambo, the IPHO-Lanao del Sur set out for a Humanitarian Mission under the mandate of the DOH-ARMM. Zamboanga City does not belong to the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but it is undeniable that most of the affected are natives of the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which belong to the ARMM provinces. Besides, we need not nit-pick to whom we should offer our help. 

After almost ten (10) hours of land travel, we arrived at Zamboanga City at around 6:00 pm. We had a short briefing with our bosses from the IPHO and with the DOH-ARMM and DSWD-ARMM. 

Some of the stuff we brought were lugged by no other than our big boss. 

When we arrived, some of the establishments in the city were already opened. We didn't feel the tension in the air just yet. Everything seemed normal. 

Our team was greeted by ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman on the first day before we set out to the barangays to do the works. 

We were treated to this tausug specialty called Satti. It's like the Javanese satay minus the peanut sauce. I am not familiar with the satti sauce. It was also served with cubes of rice.  

And then the mission began. 

This ambulance was our makeshift mobile pharmacy, so we can easily pack-up and ran if anything untowards happen. 

At Brgy. Talon-Talon. One of the barangays afflicted with the crisis. It certainly felt like a ghost town upon entering the vicinity. Most houses were locked, small sari-sari stores were closed and you barely see people on the streets. 

Our resident photog. Rocaya. Visit her at www.rocayaaa.tumblr.com because we're friends. Haha! 

While we were doing medical consultations, a smoke hovered above us. It was a signal that a house nearby was being allegedly burnt down by the rebels. We also heard loud exchange of gunshots which obviously signaled us to pack up and leave. Nevertheless, we were able to maximize our services by going from other five barangays in the outskirts of the city where evacuees sought shelter.

Our good friend, Racquel, spent her birthday during the mission. What a great way of spending an important milestone of your life in the name of service. Great job, Racqs! :D 

Doctors at your service. :)

Our experience was a mixture of excitement, fear, adrenaline rush and the strong drive to offer health services. With what was being shown on TV, it was understandable that our parents and loved ones were hesitant in allowing us to go to Zamboanga. But when unconditional service is in your blood, you are always ready to take a leap where you are needed.