Central Visayas Will Rise Again

Going to Bohol over the weekend last October 26th is now one of the most memorable outreach missions I have ever joined. It was far different from the places I had been to lend time and effort with a group of people I still barely know, having been here in Cebu for just seven months. It was different because Cebu City is also in the same sad circumstance of having to get back on its feet again after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Central Visayas almost three weeks ago. But seeing Bohol and the extent of the devastation there is more overwhelming. I would say that the Boholanos really need more help than the Cebuanos.

We were fortunate to coincide with a group of doctors and nurses affiliated with the University of the Philippines-Cebu and with a group of Philippine marines who acted as our heavily-armed guards on our way to Tubigon, the port where we docked.  We took the 11:45 am cargo ship and arrived in Bohol at 3:30 pm. From the port, we had to drop some supplies for the families of some of the members of Opus Dei who were much affected by the quake. Most of these families are now living in tents just outside their concrete houses, spread out in the
farms and other open spaces near their residences. From Tubigon, a van brought us to Danao where we met the mayor, Hon. Naty Gonzaga. We arrived there a little before 6:00 pm . Our driver and his helper brought down more than 30 sacks of goods that contained rice, mineral water, toiletries, canned goods, milk and more. We also brought sheets of thick waterproof tents for those families who are still sleeping outside their homes. It was good to see so many army trucks filled with relief goods on the way to Danao. Amidst the sorry state of the two churches we passed by which have become literally 'hollow' churches since nothing was left inside i.e.  it's just the facade that remained, one will just be grateful to God for the generosity of our people which we have seen for ourselves. Of course, seeing several chocolate hills along the main road was in itself a treat for us!


We left Danao at past 9:00 pm after spending dinner with the mayor. All twelve of us, 3 college students, 7 young professionals and 2 of us from the study center, arrived in Tubigon at around 10:30 pm and boarded the ship back to Cebu. Staying overnight in the boat was another memorable experience since you will not be able to get some sleep. For one, we were just seated the whole time, and the sea air was just too cold, we were shivering. This is because we weren't prepared to leave Bohol at midnight and spend the night traveling.

We were just so relieved to be back here in Cebu at 4:00 am  to get a good day's sleep and rest the whole Sunday of October 27. And really glad to support our fellow Filipinos in times when they needed it the most.

Special thanks to all our friends in Manila and abroad who have sent their donations over to help Bohol. As the new Central Visayas social media movement has said it succinctly, we are bent to rise again, "Bangon Visayas! Bangon SugBohol!"

Note: Cebu's old name is Sugbu, thus the syllable "sug" in the name "SugBohol" of the social media group. For pictures of ongoing relief operations in Cebu and Bohol, please visit  https://www.facebook.com/BangonSugBohol.