Landslide in Leyte By Salvador Cariaga (2-21-06)
http://www.philippinechurchesofchrist.org
I
have just arrived from Leyte, where I was able to view from a
distance the barrio of Guinsaugon. It was buried up to 100 feet,
partly with mud, but mostly with rock and lava-like sand. We were
only allowed to go up to the rescuers' camp site, and from that
distance there was no hint that a town ever existed there. The
farm lands were lush with grass and dark green rice fields. Except
for the huge part of a mountain that came sliding off, the scenic
community was breathtaking and picturesque.
It is hard to believe that almost a whole community of people
disappeared. More than 250 elementary school students and teachers
were buried alive during their classes, while over a thousand
other townsfolk were at home, walking in the streets, buying and
selling in the local market, or working in the fields. The main
group of survivors are high school students, simply because their
particular school building was located outside the barrio. Over
a hundred of them are now orphans. A few college students from
nearby colleges also came home to find their houses, family and
loved ones... gone. One survivor lost 38 relatives.
I met Meico
Bacala and Lerik Pia, both 12 years old and related to each other
(see attached picture). Meico's parents and younger brother were
all buried alive. Lerick's four brothers and parents are presumed
dead as well. His 5-year old sister was one of the early survivors
shown on TV. Yesterday, she died from severe injuries. I also
visited with Myren Celmar, a college student in Cebu City and
also a relative of Meico and Lerik. She came home only to learn
that her widowed mother and four sisters are missing. All are
believed to be dead.
These three have nowhere to go. They are staying in the St. Bernard
refugee center, a local high school. Their studies were interrupted,
their lives are shattered. I immediately offered them a scholarship
to Sunrise Christian College in Butuan City: Free tuition, board,
and lodging. They were too shocked and numbed to think about their
future. A group of medical and counseling teams from the churches
of Christ (MARCH for CHRIST) will arrive tomorrow, and they will
visit with and help the survivors.
This will be a long recovery process for the victims. I expect
to be back there again soon. More later.
Salvador
Cariaga
cariaga@yahoo.com http://www.philippinechurchesofchrist.org
Recent Leyte Pictures: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/psalm_235/album?.dir=/c53e
ps. If you wish to come and help with the relief and restoration
efforts or wish to help in any ways such as scholarship for the
orphans, please contact the following:
*Salvador Cariaga, Coordinator/Editor mpn@mozcom.com
*Chito Cusi, MARCH President lpcusi@yahoo.com
*Samson October, Leyte church leader samson_octobre@yahoo.com
I met Meico
Bacala and Lerik Pia, both 12 years old and related to each other
(see attached picture). Meico's parents and younger brother were
all buried alive. Lerick's four brothers and parents are presumed
dead as well. His 5-year old sister was one of the early survivors
shown on TV. Yesterday, she died from severe injuries. I also
visited with Myren Celmar, a college student in Cebu City and
also a relative of Meico and Lerik. She came home only to learn
that her widowed mother and four sisters are missing. All are
believed to be dead. 
