Blaze made boy want to become a firefighter

CEBU, Philippines - While he initially dreamed of becoming a Philippine Air Force serviceman, a 13-year-old boy is now considering becoming a fireman instead after saving his family from the fire that gobbled up their house in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City three days ago.

Over 5,000 residents from eight Lorega-San Miguel sitios were destroyed by Tuesday afternoon’s blaze, which also razed more than 700 homes, including that of Patrick Oblianda, who lives in Sitio Itom Yuta.

He was playing in an Internet café when the fire started. He recalled immediately rushing to their two-storey house and saving his mother, who was six months pregnant.

He then guided his siblings out of the house, opting to be the last to leave just to ensure that his family was safe. His stepfather was working at the time the fire broke. Oblianda is the eldest among the three siblings.

He said he tried to go back to their house to retrieve their belongings but was stopped. 

After what happen to his neighborhood and his experience in saving his family, Oblianda said he now wants to become a firefighter.

“Gusto ko ma-bumbero aron wala na’y sunog (I want to be a fireman and prevent fires),” he told The FREEMAN. 

Had he been allowed to go back, he would have saved his school uniform, school bag, and some clothes.

He said his projects for the finals are now ashes, but he was glad his teachers understood the situation.

His family is currently staying at the Zapatera gym, which was used as evacuation center.

Oblianda said that if he is to decide, he would rebuild their house in Lorega-San Miguel still despite what happened.

He said that as of now, his main concern is to graduate from Zapatera Elementary School on April 3.

A few hours after the fire, Oblianda showed initiative by going back to the scene and collecting scrap metal and other recycle items that he sold as scrap in junkshops.

He was able to earn P400 and gave P100 to his mother He said the P300 he would have to buy clothes for the family.

Other residents are either already plotting what course to take or are still confused what to do after the fire destroyed their homes.

“Wa pa kokahibawo mag-unsa mi ani pagkahuman sa nahitabo (We don’t know yet what to do),” said Joel Laurente, a resident of Sitio Kamansi, Lorega-San Miguel for 30 years. — /RHM(FREEMAN)