Ordinary People, Doing Extraordinary Things (A HERO Amidst the Storm)

Ordinary People, Doing Extraordinary Things (A HERO Amidst the Storm)
By Joenard M. Abelarde, BS-ICTM-IT, De La Salle University - Manila

Once the cleanest and amongst the greatest City in the National Capital Region but now turned out to be a devastation, submerged in a muddy water; Fought the wrath of Typhoon Ondoy forenoon of September 26.

Forty-seven-year-old Bong Abuedo, a taxi driver for quite some years and husband of a forty-six-year-old Carolina Abuedo, a shoe maker in their place; Had three daughters ages ranges from 25, 23 and 22. Living in the Marikina Settlement, Nangka Marikina City in Uabayami Road.

This Forty-seven-year-old whom I called Mang Bong or Kuya Bong, was one of the most influential and outstanding person in their place, especially in their neighborhood. A leader to be exact, with great pride and honor to his town-folks and to his country.

A person who has passion to help the needy even if he himself is also in need. He is not even in position nor a government official but he took charge over matters that needed his assistance and aid; He cared for his constituents and ply with their concerns. Simply a person zealous on his will to help and serve.

Amidst the storm there is a man who is willing, enough to sacrifice himself just to save other people’s lives. "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast." A person undoubtedly not a god, but with overwhelming courage and bravery who helped his comrades in the middle of a chest-high flood during the wrath of Typhoon Ondoy daybreak of Saturday dated September 26 of current year.

According to Kuya Bong, heavy rain was already pouring very rapidly overnight and their barangay was alarmed with the situation. And put the people to panic. The dam was opened, same day, speeding up the rise of water by 12pm. At exactly one in the afternoon, the water reaches up to the third floor, Kuya Bong continued.

First thought, leave the things behind and go up on the roof, Kuya Bong exclaimed to his family and to his neighbors; Then go directly to the fourth floor of a nearby building. There are only 5 men during that time in their neighborhood, the others were afar and everyone is already in panic, but then again Kuya Bong took over.

Together with the other men, they managed to save their people from the flood and brought them up to the fourth floor of the nearby building, through walking on the roofs of each house and with them are children, and some are just babies. Imagine a one-month baby was placed inside a plastic and was crossed across the fourth floor just to be saved. Desperate times, calls for desperate measures.

There comes a raindbow after the rain, a new beginning. But for them after that rain was a tragedy, with great pain and sorrow; Hunger strikes, no food, no water, no clothing no nothing. Kuya Bong sadly utter that they have no food to eat for 2-consecutive days, only water was left to nourish them.

They were first rescued by their mayor, Mayor Fernando of Marikina and delivered some goods for them. Then followed by NGOs like and other organizations and OB Philippines is among the NGO who gave help to them; Through medical care, relief goods, cleaning assistance and counseling.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' – as regarded by OB Philippines, to be their cry for the needy and Kuya Bong was very thankful such kind-hearted fellow Filipinos arrived in their place; Only thing they can depend on and without them they could possibly die, he added.

He also added his plans after this tragedy, that his roof was his first priority to shelter his family and work again as a taxi driver to have a new beginning. What was left with them was the clothes their wear and a house without a roof.

In his prayers, he exalted, that the people around him will have no sickness and additional problems, additional help from the government and assistance in sending his kids and other kids to school.

Such great man, Kuya Bong was; A simple man, without anything to offer except his time, hand and heart. Even the smallest of what he has, he will give away just to ease someone’s needs and despair. In Kuya Bong’s being, their lies a true person of God, a hero amidst the storm.