Women power beyond typhoon Yolanda

Not even the strongest typhoon that visited the Philippines could dampen the will and resolve of our people to pick up the pieces, start anew, and move on with their lives. We saw this strong determination of the Yolanda survivors in the various places we visited months after the typhoon. We again saw the same continuing resolve when we revisited some communities in Bogo and Daanbantayan this week.

Organic farming advocate Roberto "Bob" Bajenting kindly guided us to meet several women's groups involved in several initiatives assisted by the French Red Cross. We were also accompanied by Angel Vanessa Menchavez, a volunteer of the Philippine Red Cross, Cebu Chapter and by Mr. Oliver Patlingrao (I hope I was able to correctly remember his difficult family name), another natural farming advocate friend of Bob and a volunteer resource person for the Red Cross farming initiatives.

First focus discussion was with the Nakasama Women's Organization in Mayjo, Paypay. A very lively group, they explained that they are doing the farming activities because their male counterparts have left to work in construction and other jobs outside of the community. They prepare the soil and plant vegetables for their own use and to sell as well.

They happily reported that they have gone beyond the typhoon, no lingering trauma among them and among their household members. A few mentioned they were visited by the group that included our beloved departed Portia Dacalos who provided them voluntary post-typhoon counseling.

Most have repaired their houses, although there were a number still who expressed lack of funds to complete their repairs. Still and all, they were very grateful that they have their houses back, their group for livelihood, and the assisting agencies providing them with skills training and fund support for their initiatives.

Before our focus group discussion, we were treated to a very delicious lunch in the home of former educator, Luz Sarra. Her home had so much herbs and flowers growing all around – we all felt so at home as we surrounded by so much green and wonderful company as well! The jackfruit served before and after lunch was, so far, the sweetest and juiciest we have ever tasted! We took the seeds home with the hope that the same sweet fruit will grow in our own backyard garden.

Sir Oliver also treated us to pink gumamela tea, a natural diuretic, he shared with us and the women present. It was very refreshing and true enough, had the same immediate diuretic effect like fresh buko juice! He also brought lemon seedlings for the women to grow in their farm. If raised with care, he told the women, within March, they could look forward to fruits that they could consume in their household and sell as well.

Next stop was the relocation site in Barangay Paypay. With solar roofs, some 100 plus units are awaiting occupancy once these are fully completed. A number of beneficiaries have started to occupy their new homes.

In a focus group discussion, the participants shared that they were very happy to have been selected to own a unit which they considered far better than their previous houses destroyed by the typhoon. When asked what else they needed aside from their future new houses, they mentioned cash. When asked what they would need the cash for, the women mentioned the need to pay for school needs of their children. For their livelihood, they mentioned farming, doing jobs elsewhere especially for the males.

Finally, we dialogued with two groups in Udlot, Bogo. The first was a farming group, again, dominated by women members. Their farm was alive with eggplants, yellow ginger, and some other plants. Water was mentioned as an urgent need to sustain the project. All were upbeat, however, and grateful that their present situation was so much better now. 

The final group we visited was a weaver's women's group. In this community, weaving has been a traditional skill handed down across generations. With the assistance of the DTI and DOST, facilitated by the Red Cross, the women have upgraded their weaving with new colors and designs. Hats are very easy for the members to produce as well as mats. Other new products include bags, place mats, and souvenir items.

The Miraculous Lady in Udlot must be smiling to see more residents throughout various communities in northern Cebu moving on steadily beyond Typhoon Yolanda. Women helping themselves together, various assisting groups supporting the typhoon survivors, men doing their share to maintain their households, children playing among themselves and also in school – these are very promising developments beyond Yolanda.

A few months after that destructive typhoon, the sea that was hidden from the national road by clusters of houses in between was very visible because so many houses have been blown away by the strong typhoon. Temporary tents have been set up everywhere. People hardly had smiles in their faces. The impact of the typhoon remained in the fear and uncertainty marked in their faces.

This week, we saw happy, confident faces among all those we met and dialogued with. Houses have been restored and repaired. Crops are growing all over, people are moving on with more hope and assurance for the future. The sun shone brightly the whole time we moved from community to community. The sun radiated in the hearts and faces of those in Bogo and Daanbantayan. Thanks to everyone's share and support, for now, the sun seems to have successfully chased away the destructive typhoon of the past.