Touching story

THE SINUBATS. Need a helping hand

For three days recently, we went around Baganga in Davao Oriental, one of the towns badly hit by Typhoon “Pablo.” Residents are having a hard time getting back on their feet, because of the scarcity of chainsaws (to cut fallen trees to pieces), farming tools and seedlings.

Flood victims are getting help from local and international humanitarian organizations (like GMA 7) and government agencies that are helping build shelters. I was touched by the story of one particular family:

First typhoon

The Sinubats, headed by Reynaldo, lost their home to the first typhoon ever to hit Baganga. Thereafter, the 52-year-old widower built a tiny hut for his five children: Arnel, Noel, John Rey, Rhea May and Liza.

The eldest sister works for an aunt to continue her schooling, but the rest of the children had to stop going to school after the death of their mother. They attend sessions for trauma therapy facilitated by the Red Cross.

To the Good Samaritans out there, help may be forwarded to the Sinubat family in Purok Bougainvillaea, Lucod, Baganga, Davao Oriental, or you may get in touch with their aunt, Jocelyn Tajos, at 0930 245-4105. Before we left the place, I bought all the noodles being sold at the lodge where we were staying and left them with the children.

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Join our Amazing Batanes Photo Safari on April 27-30 or June 1-4, or join our Visita Iglesia in Laguna on March 23. Call 896-3208 or 0915 543-0482.