It was approaching midnight when I was hearing the roof of the houses outside shaking and dead branches falling, I have said to myself that Typhoon Sendong have indeed arrived in our city. Honestly, when I heard about the storm warnings, I didn’t believe it because in Cagayan de Oro City’s history, our city was never in the path ways of typhoons. But when I heard the wind, I immediately believed it!!!
When midnight passed, (December 17) the electricity went out and then we decided to sleep but after a few minutes, we heard people calling outside our gate. We thought it was my sister wanting to get in but we were wrong. It was my older brother, his family and in-laws. They have evacuated their houses in Macanhan, Carmen (near Cagayan de Oro River) because the water level rose up. They were quick to respond. They brought with them all the children and also the old folks. One of them recently had a stroke.
When morning came, we noticed that there was no water flowing in our faucets. The electricity is still in total black out. My mobile phone was down. We never knew what really happened until my mom, who assisted my brother in Macanhan came back. She said many people died and as of what she reported, 20 bodies are already placed on a dump truck. My cousin who came from the bridge saw a lot of dead people being piled on the sides of the bridge waiting for some family members to claim.
Aerial View of Cagayan de Oro City during the wrath of Typhoon Sendong. Photo courtesy of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)… Capt. Israel Ranario (pilot) and Mr. Emmanuel D. Abellanosa, Head, Mindanao Operations and Maintenance.
After we ate lunch, my husband went out to visit his family to see if they are OK since their place were prone to floods. When he arrived there, he saw that everything was fine but his uncle’s family and his cousins in Tambo, Carmen were victimized by the flash floods. Good thing they only lost their possessions but all of them were alive. Like my brother and his family, they too were quick to respond as they have noticed the floods coming in. My husband came home and cooked food for them while we prepare dry clothes to donate to them. My children also gave clothes to my brother’s two little girls.
As the day ended, I thank the Lord for keeping our loved one’s safe; not only them but also our friends in Balulang and even us. Though some of them lost their homes and possessions, no lives were lost. All are safe and I praise God!
I also pray for those whose lives were lost especially the children who, I believe are the real victims of this tragedy. I didn’t post pictures of victims because it is so heart-breaking. 😥
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my friends who have gone their way to ask us on our situation and prayed for our safety. God bless you all. :heart:
And for some thoughts for reflection, the flash flood was not only composed of water but mostly of mud and other debris; thus it gave me the impression to ask… where are the trees in our mountainous area?? 🙁
To help the victims of Typhoon Washi (Sendong), please click HERE.
Glad to hear you are all safe sis. Let us pray for all of the victims of this calamity. Thanks for posting about the info on how to help.
I hope they can recover soon 🙁
Mommy Rubz, nice to hear that u and ur family are safe…
Marz grabe nagsakit akong dughan ako pugngan ako luha ga tan aw sa mga pictures didto sa FB. Thank god you and your family are fine. Im also thankful that my sister is alright. she said the only damaged in our house was the rooftop.
Will keep praying that this tragedy will be overcome. I just cant believe that CDO experienced this kind of typhoon nga dili mn jd kaayo na ma apektuhan atong area diha ug naa bagyo. I wish there are still ways to change this or prevent it from happening again,
You take care and will keep praying.
It’s so sad anytime, but especially at Christmas. I’m sorry. Hugs and prayers.
situations like this always make me speechless,…thank God you’re all safe … bless the souls of those who perished…
Hugs Mommy Rubz..
I have goosebumps reading your post. Thank God you’re safe. But so sad to hear how many people were affected and lost lives.
Prayers for you.
Grabe no kalooy gyd ba sigh…:(
CDO was once my hometown, kadto ng skwela pa ko sa college. I have spent 5 years sa CDO, and karon pa ko ka dungog nga na ing ani ang area.. I am hoping and praying na ma okay na ang tanan..
aw sad to hear that pow ate. first time pow na nangyari yan sa parte ng mindanao lalo na pow sa cdo. buti naman pow kahit pano nasa ayos naman kayong lahat. at ligtas kayo.
kawawa naman ang mga naapektuhan sana di na madagdagan pa ang mga biktima ng bagyong sendong.
Thank God you’re all safe,Mommy Rubz.My prayers are with you and your family..
I am always late to hear the news since, we don’t have television here. Glad your safe and my father too in Iligan City.
Thank God you and your family is safe…prayers for you and the victims of sendong…
Yes, Thank goodness, great bloggers in CDO are safe.
grabe gid ni ya…hayz…but glad na ur all physically ok.
Let’s Pray For Those Who Are Victims At CDO, Especially This Christmas… Prayers For You And Brothers In CDO/Iligan… 🙁
Glad you and your family are safe ..
It’s good to know that all your family members are safe. I can feel the pain and suffering of those who are affected by this calamity.
I also have family and friends in Cdo and like you Mommy Rubz they are also safe and they are now accommodating some family and friends in their home who are also victims.
My prayers are all of you and also to Cagayan de Oro in general. CdO is my second hone sana makabawi agad ang city.
It’s great to know that you are fine but it is also unfortunate to those who perish and was affected with the calamity. You guys take care out there.
I’m glad you are all fine. I also learned through text that 3 children of a pastor is still missing. We are still praying for them. We will also include in our prayers the other victims.
Such as tragedy.. Let’s all pray for those in need.
Prayers are POWERFUl.
I’m so happy for all survivors who were able to survived the catastrophic event in CDO even in Iligan. I’m very worried to all my Mindanaoan brothers and sisters, let’s bow our heads and pray for everyone’s sake. I was expecting that Sendong will hit us here in Manila, but I’m wrong.
I can’t imagine things like that would gradually happen
To all my friends there in CDO and Iligan, you can send me text messages to this mobile number +639064968080.
Maayo na lang kay imo brother nakahawa dayon sa ila place.
My prayers for the flood victims…
I am praying for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims. May there demise be a reminder to us all that Mother Earth’s revenge is unstoppable. We should take good good care of our environment and the government should initiate disaster risk reduction plans and implement it properly.
I am also praying for all the people of CDO and Iligan City. I hope they can recover soon.
It was awful !
Hopefully thanks to the generosity of people the help has come fast. Xavier University has been particularly generous by giving a full lot to relocate the victims.