MANILA, Philippines — Actress Nadia Montenegro could not help but feel emotional as she shared that she was among those affected by Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco), too.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, Montenegro said her home in a private village along Marcos Highway in Marikina City was inundated as Ulysses pounded Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon.
On Friday, she did not hold back her tears as she recounted her painful experience of being a victim of the typhoon.
“We’re all safe, me and the kids, although watak-watak kami (although we are not together),” Montenegro said.
“I’m so used to being the one on the other side helping. Kaya hopeless ako ngayon kasi hindi ako makatulong, pero I’m so grateful to be on the other side with all the help that we are receiving, all the love that we are receiving from each and every one of you,” she added.
(I’m so used to being the one on the other side helping. That’s why I’m hopeless now that I cannot give help, but I’m so grateful to be on the other side with all the help that we are receiving, all the love that we are receiving from each and every one of you.)
She then recalled: “Ang bilis-bilis po ng pangyayari kahapon. Bumigay po ang wall ng creek sa tabi ng bahay namin while we were trying to save the cars. Nalingat lang po kami, the water from the back of the house, doon po dumaan and then umabot na kaagad ng hita, tapos umabot na kaagad ng bewang.”
(It all happened so fast. The wall of the creek beside our home collapsed while we were trying to save the cars. We were remiss for a bit, then water from the back of the house came in, then it flooded thigh-high, then it rose by the hip.)
Despite what happened, Montenegro said she was still grateful that her family was safe. She also said the event strengthened her faith.
“I pray for everyone affected by the typhoon. If there’s one thing I want to share eh ‘yun nga sabi ko sa post ko natangay man ni Ulysses lahat, nakuha man niya lahat pero grateful lang ako na lalong tumibay ang faith ko,” she said.
(If there is one thing I want to share is that what I said in my post. Ulysses may have washed away everything, but I am still grateful because it further strengthened my faith.)
Another celebrity, actress Mela Habijan, also shared Thursday that her home in Provident Village in Marikina City was also flooded by the typhoon. Provident Village was likewise devastated by Tropical Storm Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) in 2009.