I was talking with Mindanao-based photo-journalist Erwin Mascariñas, who brought us heart-rending images of the tragedy wrought by storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the other day and telling him that I felt awkward greeting him “Merry Christmas” when I know that he is surrounded by grief and suffering.
Erwin was not spared of Sendong’s wrath. While he was out taking pictures, floodwaters entered his house and ruined all their things. He said he is thankful for the donations of clothes which he and members of his family are now wearing.
Erwin is not the only journalist included among Sendong’s victims. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) issued an appeal to other members of media and the public to help media workers who have been left homeless and dispossessed by Sendong. An ABS-CBN report said two radio reporters are among those missing.
NUJP said, “It could have not have come at time at a worse time, hitting just a few days before Christmas and New Year.”
NUJP said clothes, food and other basic necessities are welcome but the most immediate and practical at this time is cash.
NUJP’s advisory:“ We can channel material support to the NUJP Safety Office in Mindanao which is based in Cagayan de Oro (St. Joseph’s Hall, 5th cor. 7th Streets, Lazareth, Cagayan de Oro City). Those in Manila and nearby areas may send their donations to the NUJP office (4/f FSS Bldg. Annex No. 89 Scout Castor, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City).
“But for the immediate cash assistance, please send to Account No. 229_722_9507-458 (Metrobank). Kindly email to nujphil@gmail.com to inform the NUJP of your assistance.
“For inquiries, please call/text 09104950095 (Weng Paraan, NUJP secretary general), 09213218357 (Rupert Mangilit, NUJP staff) or (02) 3767330 (NUJP office).”
Tragedies like Sendong make one look at Christmas beyond the fiesta atmosphere, the food, the gifts that we have become accustomed to. Christmas has become a huge commercial season that it has become a stressful exercise trying to cope with it financially.
Adversities bring out the best and worst in people. We will take up the bad later but our hearts are warmed by gestures of generosity by people. We have read about children donating for the victims of Sendong their savings not for items they have saved the money. Residents in our street here in Moonwalk in Las Pinas decided to forgo their annual Christmas party and decided to donate the money for the victims of Sendong.
ABC-5’s Interaksyon.com ’s editorial “Rejoice for a nation reborn” captured the essence of the Christmas spirit amidst so much suffering. It said, “ We are tired as a nation, and yet we know that in every tragedy, salvation is not the gift we bring for others, it is the miracle we hope to find for ourselves.”
Our Christmas wish is for us to sustain that goodness even beyond Christmas.