The aftermath of the Philippine earthquake brings out the best in people
Filipinos are known for their resilience in the face of adversity. And their hardy spirits and love for their fellow countrymen came into full force when they rallied together to help the victims of the 6.6 magnitude earthquake that struck on 29th October 2019.
The quake, which hit North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, and surrounding areas, has affected over 180,000 people and taken the lives of 22 residents.
Responding quickly to the disaster, ordinary Filipinos came together to help the affected people in different ways, resulting in heartwarming moments that gave netizens warm and fuzzy feelings.
Affected residents lack proper food and shelter
Image credit: Shiena Mae Alpos Villeza
After the earthquake struck, many homes were destroyed and families had to sleep in tents, on hammocks, or in evacuation centers. Even till today (9th November 2019), over a week after the disaster, people in Cotabato and Quezon are still experiencing aftershocks.
Facebook user Shiena Mae Alpos Villeza shared pictures of her damaged house on 4th November 2019, and said that people are running short of food and water.
Children camping in the open beside tents
Image credit: @OoSHTinn
In Magsaysay and Makilala, many children are falling sick because of campsite crowding and the lack of sanitary facilities.
Filipinos are chipping in to help
When a disaster like this hits, we can usually count on the big corporations and government bodies to lend a hand. It’s no different this time, with companies such as AirAsia, Airbnb, and Manila Water donating necessities, such as flights to transport relief goods, accommodation for relief team staff, and drinking water to help affected residents.
Of their own accord, Department of Transportation officials also promised to donate their 14th-month bonuses to earthquake victims.
But it’s not just them who are working to ease the victims’ distress. Filipinos from all walks of life are also pulling together their limited resources to do what they can for the people affected by the quake.
Image credit: @myruvia
Rock Ed Philippines, a group providing alternative education to needy children, has taken it upon themselves to deliver goods to affected families in Kidapawan and Cotabato.
And they are still calling for contributions such as clean clothes, toys, medicines, flashlights, and mosquito nets through the Twitter hashtag #RockEdRelief. They are also updating people who would like to donate necessities about the latest donation drop-off points in Metro Manila on their Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Image credit: Alternative Groove
Some creative Filipinos have even decided to offer classes in exchange for donations. For example, nearby in Davao City, a youth dance community group Alternative Groove is holding a fundraising dance workshop at Matina Town Square Pavilion on Sunday, 10th November 2019.
Anyone can attend in exchange for a donation. All proceeds go to quake victims.
Even K-pop fans are joining aid efforts
Image credit: @OoSHTinn
Super Junior fan groups LOVE SJ PH and Crazy PH ELFs are announcing calls for donations for quake victims in the name of their beloved K-pop band.
Image credit: @OoSHTinn
An EXO fan Tinn has also raised over P9405.60 from fellow K-pop fans to buy food and necessities that he has sent to Makilala and Tulunan.
Keeping records of every single contribution, and even tweeting photos of himself and friends purchasing relief goods, Tinn has been striving for full transparency.
An adorable father-daughter moment in an earthquake zone
The efforts of these concerned citizens are definitely touching. But the best part is that they have resulted in even more feel-good moments such as this one below, where a father-daughter duo was all smiles after the dad picked out a donated dress for his child.
Image credit: @gangbadoy
The memorable scene was caught by Gang Badoy, the founder of Rock Ed Philippines, who posted the picture with the caption, “If you’re having a bad day, here’s a picture of a father in Kidapawan helping his little girl choose a new dress.”
Image adapted from @gangbadoy
And if it that wasn’t enough to warm your heart, Twitter user Leorenz Rome also shared uplifting moments of children in a cramped campsite making the most of their predicament by befriending other kids in their temporary shelters.
Image credit: @leooreenzrome
The pictures showed a boy cheering a little girl up in the earthquake-hit zone, and a group of children holding an impromptu dance-off, among others.
Image credit: @leooreenzrome
Where and what you can donate
Image credit: Philippine Red Cross
Though these rescue efforts are truly inspiring, they are far from over. Residents in Mindanao are still very much in need of your support.
You can send donations to the Philippine Red Cross, which provides quake victims with healthcare, food, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and shelter. And the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center is also accepting monetary donations for the victims.
And while food, clothing, and physical donations are appreciated, it can be challenging for volunteers to transport them to rural areas. Unless you are already in affected areas and able to donate items easily, cash donations are the most practical. But do ensure that your donations are sent through organisations present in affected areas to make sure that your goodwill reaches the victims safely.
Finding hope after a disaster
Even though lives and homes have been lost in the disaster, Filipinos are finding hope as their fellow countrymen band together to help the victims. Filipinos are also expressing pride in the relief efforts on social media, and sharing many heartwarming accounts of the resilience that victims are showing despite their unfavorable circumstances.
This shows that when each of us joins forces to help our community in crisis, every tiny contribution makes a difference. We are heartened to see Filipinos pouring out help to Mindanao residents, and we hope that everyone affected can rebuild their homes soon.
Cover image adapted from: @gangbadoy, Shiena Mae Alpos Villeza
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