The Philippines, a country in the Pacific Ocean known for its frequent typhoons, was recently devastated by Tropical Storm Trami, locally named “Bagyong Kristine” (Typhoon Kristine). The powerful typhoon struck on October 24, 2024, in the northern areas of Luzon, leaving a trail of destruction that rendered thousands homeless with obliterated properties and loss of cherished possessions.
Days before the typhoon officially made landfall in the areas of Isabela and Mountain Province in the North of Luzon, The Visayas region, located in the heart of the archipelago, had already been struck by the typhoon’s impact. Areas in the Bicol region, located in the country’s frontier and the vast Pacific Ocean, particularly in Naga City, report 70% of its population affected by typhoons, with thousands needing evacuation and rescuing due to chest-level floods. The flood caused by the typhoon can be attributed to the overflowing of the Bicol River and water spillage from nearby highlands. Reports show residents stranded on the roof of their homes waiting for rescue. Other parts of the country experienced this same intensity. Officials from different areas in the Visayas like the Island of Samar, regions of Mindanao, Cotabato, and other Luzon places reported the same incidents of flooding and extreme wind that caused power outages and called for emergency evacuations and suspension of classes and work.
Amid the raging winds, rain, and gloomy skies, the Filipino “Bayanihan” spirit shone through. This disastrous event saw Filipinos go out of their way to donate to various relief operations and fundraisers to aid fellow Filipinos affected by the typhoon. Celebrities, Networks, Companies, and Non-Government Organizations worked hand-in-hand to brave the storm and flood to deliver goods to the affected areas of the country.
One of the most notable figures who stood out is the Philippines’ former Vice President and Chairperson of the Non-Government Organization “Angat Buhay” who led various volunteer movements to aid the people of Naga, which coincidentally is her hometown and that of her late husband, former-DILG Secretary and Naga Mayor, Jesse Robredo. Earlier this month, Robredo filed her candidacy for Mayoralty of the city. The Non-Government Organization she established, “Angat Buhay,” in partnership with “Kaya Natin Movement” and the organization for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, raised over 4 Million Pesos in the first 10 Hours of the fundraising effort and gathered over 31 Million Pesos by the end to the fundraising initiative. The office of the NGO was kept open for 24 Hours to accommodate bulk in-kind donations from private sectors and groups, which were then arranged to be sent to affected areas of Visayas. The former vice president continued to top trends in the height of the storm with images of her distributing relief and doing an on-ground inspection in waist-level flood.
Rescue missions for stranded residents were also conducted with volunteers fleeing the safety and comforts of their homes to go out and help with the rescue operations. Areas in Naga saw people coming together to move fallen trees and objects from roads, residents helping in packing relief goods, Universities and organizations holding their own donation drives, Citizens hosting feeding programs for victims staying in evacuation sites, and people gathering resources for rescue and relief operations. Divisions of the Philippine army have also been deployed to affected areas carrying specialized gear to aid in the ongoing rescue missions.
Celebrities and Public Figures alike join calls for donations and prayers. Rising P-Pop Girl Group, BINI leads efforts to aid people in the affected areas through their “Tulong-tulong hanggang dulo” (Helping each other until the end). It can be noted that a few members of the group hail from hard-hit areas of the typhoon, like Albay and Batangas. Other celebrities join calls and amplify volunteer movements through their platforms to raise awareness and gather more donations and efforts. K-Pop group UNIS pledged part of their earnings from a fan concert to be donated to the typhoon victims. The Philippine government, through its local government units and agencies, has mobilized its resources to aid the civilians who are taking the lead in the distribution of relief and rescue missions. Efforts from the National Government were also evident in the height of the storm. Classes and Works were suspended by the Malacanang Palace, encouraging people and students to remain in the safety of their homes. The disastrous event saw people from all walks of life coming together to champion the Filipino value of compassion, emphasizing the strength of the nation drawn from the resiliency of its people.
The typhoon’s aftermath left thousands of people displaced, with lives taken and properties destroyed. In the midst of all these, through the raging storms and dark clouds, the Filipino “Bayanihan” shines through as a beaming light of hope. It is through compassion and empathy that the Filipino People gain strength to face the strongest storms, hand in hand. Despite the destruction of homes, the Filipino people found home in the compassion and warmth in the embrace of their fellow Filipinos.
