The Age: Philippine man loses own life after saving dozens from floods

September 28, 2009. The Age

An 18-year-old construction worker braved rampaging floods in the Philippines to save more than 30 people, but ended up sacrificing his life in a last trip to rescue a baby girl and her mother who were being swept away on a styrofoam box.

Desperate relief effort amid rising death toll

Family members and people who Muelmar Magallanes saved have hailed the young man a hero, as his body lay in a coffin at a makeshift evacuation centre near their destroyed Manila riverside village.

Philippines residents go to all lengths to escape neck-deep flood waters. Photo: Reuters

“I am going to be forever grateful to Muelmar,” said Menchie Penalosa, the mother of the six-month-old girl whom he carried to safety before being swept away himself. “He gave his life for my baby. I will never forget his sacrifice.”

Mr Magallanes was at home on Saturday with his family when tropical storm Ketsana unleashed the heaviest rains in more than 40 years on the Philippine capital and surrounding areas.

At first the family, long used to heavy rains, paid little attention to the storm.

But Mr Magallanes and his father quickly decided to evacuate the family once they realised the river 800 metres away had burst its banks.

With the help of an older brother, Mr Magallanes tied a string around his waist and attached it one-by-one to his three younger siblings, whom he took to higher ground. Then he came back for his parents.

But Mr Magallanes, a strong swimmer, decided to go back for neighbours trapped on rooftops.

He ended up making many trips, and eventually saved more than 30 people from drowning, witnesses and survivors said.

Tired and shivering, Mr Magallanes was back on higher ground with his family when he heard Ms Penalosa screaming as she and her baby were being swept away on the polystyrene box they were using in an attempt to cross the swift currents.

He dived back in after the mother and daughter, who were already a few metres away and bobbing precariously among the debris floating on the brown water.

“I didn’t know that the current was so strong. In an instant, I was under water. We were going to die,” said Ms Penalosa, her eyes welling with tears and voice choking with emotion.

“Then this man came from nowhere and grabbed us. He took us to where the other neighbours were, and then he was gone,” Ms Penalosa said.

Ms Penalosa and other witnesses said an exhausted Mr Magallanes was simply washed away amid the torrent of water.

Neighbours found his body on Sunday, along with 28 others who perished amid Manila’s epic flooding. The official death toll stands at 100 with 32 missing.

Standing next to his coffin, Mr Magallanes’ parents paid tribute to their son.

“He always had a good heart,” said his father, Samuel.

“We had already been saved. But he decided to go back one last time for the girl.”

His mother, Maria Luz, wept as she described her son as incredibly brave.

“He saved so many people, but ended up not being able to save himself.”

AFP

Manila Bulletin: Heroes emerge as tragedy unfolds

Published October 3, 2009. Elena L. Aben of mb.com.ph writes:

As tropical storm “Ondoy” (international code name Ketsana) unleashed its fury last September 26, heroes emerged amid the resulting tragedy that left at least 300 dead and thousands of lives turned upside down.

While some of these heroes lived to tell their stories, there were also those who made the ultimate sacrifice of giving up their own lives to save others like in the case of Pfc. Venancio Ancheta, Col. Adriano Regua, and five members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

There were also those who could be considered unlikely heroes, like Rolando Bie, who did not only save at least a hundred lives, but most of all, the family of his foe.

“Here lies another man who showed us what love is at its supreme expression – dying for others.” These were the words of Philippine Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, as the Armed Forces paid tribute to another fallen comrade.

On Wednesday, the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) paid military honors to Ancheta, 27, who died in the course of a rescue operation in Barangay Tunhak, Famy, Laguna at the height of the onslaught of “Ondoy.”

In a sendoff ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Emilio Marayag, and Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit bestowed awards and recognition to Ancheta.

Ancheta’s wife, Marilou, received the Bronze Cross Medal Award (Posthumous) along with his posthumous promotion to Corporal for his heroic feat of saving 20 residents in the flood-stricken barangay in Famy, Laguna.

The AFP saluted Ancheta’s heroism, which served as an inspiration to his teammates who went on with the conduct of their rescue mission and saved more than 600 individuals.

Ancheta belonged to the disaster response team of the 2nd Infantry Division that responded to affected residents of Barangay Tunhac, Famy, Laguna. Braving rampaging floodwater, Ancheta made several trips to bring stranded residents in the area to safer grounds. As he made his last trip, Ancheta was carrying at his back the 20th civilian he managed to rescue when he was hit by a log. Despite this, the soldier still successfully brought the man on his back to safety before he was swept away by the flood.

The Philippine Army suffered six other casualties from its disaster response teams. They were Regua, detachment commander of the PA response team, and five CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) members. The team had rushed to Sitio Johnson, Barangay Nanguma, Mabitac, Laguna.

Regua died when he attempted to rescue one of his men who was being swept away by the current. Both men, however, were carried away by the rampaging  floods.

Army officials said Regua’s act proves his being a responsible leader to his men. They said as detachment commander of his group, he led his team well, effectively saving 200 residents in the area.

Regua’s remains and those of his five CAA team members were recovered the next day along Manila East Road in Mabitac, Laguna.

Regua was awarded the Bronze Cross Medal and was posthumously promoted to Sergeant during his interment at the Haven of Rest in Tanay, Rizal.

Rolando Bie and Ronnie Dacuycoy, both from Balubad, barangay Nangka, Marikina City, had been at odds for more than a year before “Ondoy” struck Metro Manila. Ronnie, in fact, had even filed a case against Rolando before the barangay after the latter allegedly threatened to kill him over a row involving their houses.

But when tragedy struck, the unexpected happened. At that time, Bie was already busy saving his own family.

The floodwater was already waist-deep and continuously rising. After taking his family to safety, Rolando went back to rescue his neighbors, including his foe’s family.

Melanie recalled, “Bumalik siya para iligtas kami. Lagpas baywang na ang tubig noon. Inuna niya iligtas yung anak namin na maliit. Nung ako na, pinilit talaga niya na mailigtas din ako. Hindi na ako makakilos noon, yun mga paa ko hindi na halos maitaas. May alitan sila ng asawa ko pero hindi niya na inisip yun. Basta nagligtas lang siya.”

Spot.ph Features 10 Fearless Fighters

Published October 1, 2009 on Spot.ph

SPOT.ph turns the spotlight on the people who took time to share what they could—time, resources, talent, homes, or even lives—to help fellow Filipinos affected by the storm. Here are the heroic helping hands we’ve heard about, in no particular order:

1. Muelmar Magallanes
Muelmar Magallanes, an 18-year-old construction worker, was a powerful swimmer who saved 30 people from rampaging floods. He died while rescuing a baby girl who was swept away on a Styrofoam box. His body now lies at a makeshift evacuation center in Quezon City.

Magallanes, who brought his family to higher ground on Saturday, decided to go back for neighbors stranded on their rooftops. Witnesses said he saved more than 30 people from drowning. Ms. Penalosa, the mother of the baby he saved, said Magallanes was washed away by the torrent of water. His body was found on Sunday, September 27.

2. Venancio Ancheta, Jr. and four members of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU)
Pfc Venancio Ancheta Jr. saved 20 flood victims but could not save himself in the end as he was carried away by the flood at Brgy. Tunhac, Famy, Laguna. In the midst of rescue operations, another soldier and three members of the (CAFGU) also died: Cpl. Adriano Regua of the 59th Infantry Battalion and CAAs Erineo Olaguer, Joel Hernalin, and Florencio Dequito.

3. Enderun College students and volunteers
Opening its kitchens on Monday, September 28, Enderun College culinary students and fellow volunteers cooked hot meals to be distributed by the Red Cross. To date, Enderun College has sent out 16,000 meals which were distributed by the Red Cross and picked up by various volunteers who took them to evacuation and relief centers.

Enderun College was supposed to resume classes on October 1, Thursday, but opened their kitchens this morning to continue helping out typhoon victims. Contact Ancie Pamintuan at 0908-6795936 for any donations or assistance you can extend.

4. Medical mission groups
Makati Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center and PLDT is holding medical missions until October 4. MakatiMed is based at Rizal, Cardinal Santos Medical Center at Pasig and PLDT at Marikina. Doctors consult and distribute medicine to those in need.

To volunteer, call Dr. Victor Gisbert of the Social Services Department at 0917-8922807 and Dr. Johnny Sinon of Makati Medical Center at 0917-5261345.

Donations may be sent to the Social Services Office, G/F Makati Medical Center, Amorsolo St., Makati City. Look for Jocelyn or Fatima at 789-4790 to 91 and 888-8999 local 7124 and 7104.

5. Gang Badoy
Founder of the alternative education movement, Rock Ed and host of Rock Ed radio, Gang has made civic-awareness interesting for teenagers with hopes to turn apathy into collective action. Gang went onboard on Jam 88.3 for four straight days of 14 to 16 hours on air, using radio to inform people about the current situation in typhoon-affected areas and call out for help. Along with other DJs and volunteers, they utilized the airwaves to keep everyone connected, informed and inspired while updating their Twitter accounts.

At the end of the third day, Gang Badoy tweeted at 7:24 a.m. September 29, “What an honor to be given the chance to give out crucial info at a crucial time.”

6. Patricia Hizon
Sportscaster Patricia Hizon housed 40 orphans whom they “carried 1.5 to 2 kilometers because they had no slippers,” according to her tweet. Armed with “a delivery truck, ropes, megaphone and big hearts,” she is one of the driving forces behind relief operations in Tumana, Marikina. From September 30 onwards, they will also help out in Pasig. If you have goods or time to donate, send her a tweet.

7. Netizens on Facebook and Twitter
Technology has proven to be one of this generation’s greatest tools, with people sending out useful information over the Internet, posting calls for help and encouraging everyone to do their share, just through their computers and cell phones.

Among them, TV host and sports reporter Lia Cruz mobilized volunteers through Twitter while on the move herself. She continuously announced updates on people needing rescue, what to donate and where, and retweeted useful information and contact numbers. Cruz was a former Ateneo courtside reporter for the UAAP.

8. Hon. Ralph Lee
Quezon City Judge Ralph Lee rode on his jetski and rescued dozens of people in Novaliches, according to a report by Inquirer.net. Lee drove from Fairview to Novaliches, with life vests and two rubber boats he used for weekend wakeboarding. He was able to save 100 lives.

“I heard that so many families were already stranded on their rooftops because water from the Tullahan River was already overflowing,” Lee told media.

9. Linda Tizon
Purchasing Manager Linda Tizon opened her Quezon City home to over 200 survivors of typhoon Ondoy on Sept. 26. According to Tizon, flood water was rising in Novaliches and displaced families living near the creek found refuge in the neighborhood chapel. Soon after, even the chapel began to get flooded and she saw people literally being dragged by the floodwaters’ strong current. Tizon invited people into her home and managed to house and feed 250 people.

10. Jason de Guzman
It almost seemed like a scene from a movie–a female doctor climbing up her car to escape the raging water and a security guard bravely jumping to rescue her.

Jason de Guzman, security guard at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay hospital, said he was only doing his job when he helped the female doctor. Fortunately, he did not get sick from braving the flood but he did stay at the hospital until Sunday since his Marikina home was severely affected by typhoon Ondoy.

“I hope this can be an inspiration to all security guards. We should all fulfill our duties,” he said in Filipino.

Gabriela Tatad’s blog: Katrina, Meet Ondoy

In her blog, Gabriela Tatad writes about typhoon Ketsana, locally known as ‘Ondoy.’ Published September 29, 2009.

Every time it rains, I think about the homeless. We are constantly surrounded by the poor, and the streets of Manila flood quite easily during typical rainfall, so it is rather common to hear about lives of the homeless being claimed by flash floods in Manila. It’s almost an everyday sort of sadness for a lot of people who live here.

But last Saturday, 26 September 2009, we experienced disaster on a scale that we could never have imagined. The onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy (internationally known as “Ketsana”) chose no class, no one group of people to victimize. It didn’t matter if you were in the more privileged areas of Loyola Grand Villas and Magallanes, or deep within Cainta, Rizal. The water came for nearly everyone.

It is said that this has been the worst flood in the last 40 years, including Hurricane Katrina. It seems almost unbelievable, considering the footage we’ve seen from the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. But the truth is sharp and painful.

In one of the most affected areas, Marikina, stands a bridge well over 30 feet above the Marikina river. Ondoy caused floods that went over that bridge, as well as floods in other areas that refuse to go down. Water rushed into homes and drove residents to their rooftops, where many still sit and wait for rescue. I can only imagine what happened to those who didn’t even have shelter, if they even had a chance at surviving.

Every minute gives birth to so many insane, impossibly true stories, such as those of University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center (more casually known around here as UERM), where water rushed to the third floor of the hospital. The parking lot was filled with oxygen tanks that leaked or busted open, and so no candles could be lit for fear of an explosion. In the middle of the dark, their only source of light was their penlights.

Then there is the story of Corazon Palomar, stuck on the roof of her home in Pasig with thirteen other people. She was 84, and recently had a heart bypass. They were stranded for 2 days, shivering from the cold, beyond parched and starving as they waited for rescue. A neighbor of theirs managed to salvage one hard-boiled egg which all of them shared. Corazon’s daughter, Lily, held her mother to keep her warm. Lily didn’t partake of the egg, but instead gave her share to the near-hopeless Corazon.

This is the story we hear over and over. The story that we normally never totally relate to, because disasters usually stand at a comfortable distance from us. The story we normally watch on the news, as seen in human interest pieces. But now it’s become the story of our brothers, sisters, friends, children, grandparents, husbands, wives, and lovers, if not our own. It’s hit closest to home for every single person I know.

The rescue is slow, undermanned, and disorganized. Help is severely needed all over Metro Manila. And yet what is extremely blessed about this most terrible time is that no one is sitting around waiting for someone else to do something. One of the most touching things I’ve heard is that the Ateneo De Manila University Rowing Team used toy boats to penetrate Provident Village, one of the most badly flooded areas, to distribute relief goods to those stranded on their roofs.

In this spirit, schools and private organizations have been running relief operations and donation centers since Sunday afternoon. Gawad Kalinga has not only evacuated its own, but is reaching out to surrounding underprivileged communites who weren’t as lucky to have GK’s devoted rescuers. Companies like Petron and San Miguel have lent their choppers for rescue and relief. Philippine Airlines has decided to airlift relief goods for free.

We have local film stars who swam in the flood or used a surfboard in the thick of the storm just to pull people to safety; one even used a couch as a flotation device to aid him in his rescue mission. Real estate powerhouse Divine Lee has committed her time to reaching the poorest ones who were affected by the typhoon, the ones who lost the little they had to begin with. These are also the stories that surround us now, and they are the ones we hold on to for hope.

The tragedy we find ourselves in the midst of is great, and yet the love demonstrated so freely in these times is the blessing we reap. We aren’t waiting for answers as to how the 800 million peso budget for disaster relief could have been spent on the President’s foreign trips, or how the NDCC ever believed that having only 13 rubber boats in their possession would be enough, even in a small-scale disaster. We aren’t waiting on our government to give our people their due.

Instead, we are taking what we have and whatever we can possibly spare for the sake of our brothers. We are on our feet, we are on the road, we are in the water, and we are wherever help is needed the most. We are steeped in the drive of the bayanihan spirit, the love for our fellow man, and we hope that you are too. I ask that you join us in whatever way you can. Your prayers, donations, and participation will go a long way.

• For more information on Typhoon Ondoy and to submit names of those still in need of rescue, click here.
• To submit information on missing persons, click here.
• For local donation drop-offs in the Philippines, click here.
• Donate to your local Red Cross today. Philippine Red Cross is also accepting paypal donations through the email address give@redcross.org.ph. (Get started here.) Every bit counts.
• A lot of news has been coming in, for those who want to be part of the retweeting madness, follow me!
• Photo sources are as follows: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. All photos used in this entry are property of their respective owners.

Every Pinoy is a Hero

This blog is a collection of the stories of those who helped during Ondoy, who were helped during and after Ondoy, who are abroad and have found a way to be a part of the voluntarism movement.  This is to tell every Pinoy’s story because everyone is a hero.

We credit all articles and photos whenever possible, and provide a link to the original source. If you wish to contribute, please send an e-mail to everypinoy@gmail.com.

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