Photos by: Kim Orel Betita

On the afternoon of September 26, 2009, Typhoon Ketsana made a landfall in Metro Manila. The amount of rainfall brought by the typhoon also beat the monthly average of rainfall for the month of September. Flood water levels reached a record of 20 feet high in rural areas. 319,881 families or 1,872,036 people were affected by the storm. The calamity killed 246 people as of date. At least 609,548 people were displaced by flood waters and had to stay in makeshift evacuation centers in schools and churches.

Volunteers from DC Manila gathered on October 5, 2009 to extend a helping hand to the victims of typhoon Ketsana, locally known as Ondoy. They worked hand in hand with ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya, a non-profit organization managed by one of the major broadcasting networks in the Philippines, to help in the deployment of relief goods in Gawad Kalinga Village (Pantranco), Quezon City. In the area alone, approximately 15 houses were swept during the storm surge since the village lies right beside a creek. Most of their houses were submerged in muddy water. Supply of drinking water & food was scarce. A bottle of water would go as long as three days for a family of four. The victims would be lucky enough if they had one meal a day.

Upon the teams’ arrival, one can only imagine what these victims has been through. A great sigh relief can be traced on the their faces, as they eagerly awaited and lined up for 3 hours for the arrival of the expected donations. It was the first time that the local residents received any form of help, since the typhoon. The relief goods made its way to their hands through the operation, and surely served its purpose…. to bring relief.

Thanks to:
Ate Lita of Bantay Bata
Sagip Kapamilya Staff

DC Manila Volunteers:
Jennifer Wambangco
Mark Sardea
Julie Quita
Scott Rosete
Tina Ringor
Ana Casoco
Cris Delamide
John Martus