ABOUT THIS BLOG

(This is what remains of a concrete two-storey house during typhoon Reming in Tabaco, Albay. Some of those who survived lost everything they have including their love ones. Some nearly lost their sanity. Others until today are still trying to cope-up with the reality. Many were displaced and relocated. )

About four (4) years ago one of the most devastating typhoon in Philippine history struck Albay. Tabaco was basically isolated from the entire country. Unknown to many, there were government employees who, while on official travel, were trapped in Tabaco, Albay. They couldn't have survived the havoc and escaped death without the help of their fellow government workers, whose families were also in danger. Despite the dangers, they helped each other survive and with good Samaritans along the way, those from Manila crossed the mountains in Tabaco as roads leading to Legaspi City were heavily damaged. After a day's trek, they reached Legaspi City where they boarded a bus going back to Manila.
(Salvador Jarcia of the Regional Fisheries Training Center, BFAR in Tabaco, Albay with companion at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Shrine in Tabaco. In was not planned that he shall coincidentally meet somebody whose loved one was one of those stranded in Tabaco during when typhoon Reming hit Albay. In less than year, Mr. Jarcia shall be retiring from the service.)

This blog is dedicated to the men and women in Tabaco, Albay and the Bicolanos per se, from within and without the government, who helped each other and escaped near death - to the victims of the tragedy and those who are still coping with the lost of their love ones. It is in survival that we unite, in danger that we gather strenght, in fear that we embrace courage and through faith that we endure the challenges. It might have been Divine. It was not planned, but we were given the opportunity to personally thank those who helped our love ones in that fateful days of November about four years ago. It was providential that it was in Legaspi City where we were assigned to do this documentary in quest of CSC's Dangal ng Bayan Awardee. We have to move on . . .

TYPHOON REMING

More than four years ago, Bicol was hardly hit by typhoon Reming. Properties worth millions were damaged, many lost their love ones and some of those who survived, allegedly suffered mental depression.

For Bicol to be given attention, we tried to a conceptualize a Beauty Pageant for the contestants to feature clothing made from Philippine Fiber to showcase the Manila Hemp and Piña cloth from Bicol with Mon Favila of the Fashion Artists Foundation to advocate for the rehabilitation of the the fiber industry in Bicol, which was then badly damaged by typhoon Reming. It did not, however, materialize. The Abaca industry in Bicol is a dying industry, many weavers already diverted to other sources of livelihood. Consequently, we could not possibly meet the market demands should investors places their orders. What happened instead was, the fiber cloth from Region VI , specifically in Aklan and in the Cordilleras have overtaken Bicol Region in the Manila Hemp Industry. Clothes made of Philippine fiber showcasing fiber products from Region VI and the Cordilleras took the limelight instead. At least, we tried.

Today, developments in Albay took a twist. Construction of Roads and bridges going to Legaspi City, where an airport and an international port is located, have begun. A remote and sleepy town of Estanza, a barangay located at the highest elevation in Legaspi City, without any means of public transport, is now becoming an urbanized Barangay, which we featured in this blog in our our desire to continue our advocay for Bicol Region to gain recognition and ultimately, to help those displaced by tyhoon Reming. This we humbly dedicate.

Acknowledgment

(This is what remains of a concrete two-storey house during typhoon Reming in Tabaco, albay)

About four (4) years ago one of the most devastating typhoon in Philippine history struck Albay. Tabaco was basically cut-off from the entire country. Unknown to many there were government employees who, while on official business, were trapped in Tabaco, Albay. The couldn't have survived the havoc if not for the help extended by their fellow government workers, whose families were also facing dangers. Despite the dangers, they helped each other to survive and with the help of good Samaritans along the way, they climbed the mountains until they reached Legaspi City where they boarded a bus going back to Manila.

This blog is dedicated to the men and women in Albay, specifically in Tobaco, within and without the government, who helped them escape death and to the many who lost their love ones. It is in survival that we unite, in danger that we gather strenght, in fear that we gather courage and in faith that we survive. This Blog is humbly dedicated. We have to move on . . .