SUPER TYPHOON HAIYAN
8th November 2013, super typhoon Haiyan destroyed 80% of homes in island called Panay Island. With over 800,000 affected. Here are some compilation and stories of the few people of Panay Island that I had spent time with. Giving us some light about societies and people living on after the natural disaster in Philippines.
The kid in front of this photo pulled my hand, took me to this spot and asked for a photo. “Sir, photo pls, we got new puppies!!” he said it in Tagalog.. i didn’t understand him at first.
Each time we went to Western Union to withdraw funds, this three kids will be around. They would come say hello ‘Sirrr’ and ask for small change. Or they will sing songs to entertain you and then ask for small change. I asked them what they do all day, they explain they go to school and after school they come here.
This is a dad to a family of five. His daughters and sons spent time working odd jobs and studying, his wife cooked and takes care of her sisters baby. He spends time fishing and drinking with his friends when it gets dark.
Daily chores is a must, typhoon or not. She sits here every two days washing clothes for the neighbours and her own.
This family sits here every other day peeling shrimps and sorting out small fish outside their temporary shelters. This is from the fish farm in their village and since the typhoon, the production has been very low. Their source of income for now. They still offered to cook me some shrimp and fish for dinner the next day. I couldn’t make it as it rained heavily all day and most places were flooded.
She had a funny smile and many teeth missing, still she walked up to her home and got ready for this picture. Even asking me how do I stand. — in Panay, Philippines
He has a kid working in Manila, but his job and home is here in the village. Lives on cutting logs to rebuild houses and fishing at times. He actually called me out to have his picture taken. As a memory for him.
She likes playing hide & seek, playing with friends and reading, but after dark they light up candles and kerosene lamps because she still doesn’t have electricity in her home.
The children of Crossing Lais in Panay Island have so much hope in their eyes today as they know we are here to help. This 3 boys run out daily to greet us each time they see me walk into their village. We then spend time playing hide and seek or basket ball.
The total population here is over 1200 people, with about 200 families. Sadly, the villagers live in temporary make shift shelters that leaks badly when it rains, food supply is limited and some are living without electricity as of today. – Crossing Lais.
I met her in a small fisherman island called Loguingot, Estancia in Panay Island, the island has 197 families living there. Today, they have minimum food, no clean water, no jobs and still no electricity as the local government will take 3-6 months to get cables and power into this outskirt areas. The fisherman had lost all their boats after Typhoon Haiyan destroyed everything.
Doctors advise and a sense of humour. Thats all we need to keep our spirits high.
“Are the puppies yours?” “No I’m just helping the mom here.” Life is still born in a village that has been totally destroyed, as children here still live with no electricity.
I can’t remember her name but she sat there with her mom and kept looking very curiously on what and who I am.
The evening sun sets here in Crossing Lais with beautiful faces. The children here come out to play till 5.45pm and them get back home. A 300kph super typhoon destroyed most of Panay Island, Philippines. The villagers there are using self-made kerosene lamps from reusable bottles as their source of light.
Boys will be boys anywhere around the world. In Crossing Lais, it’s playtime at about 5pm onwards till the sun sets. Running is one of the favorite past times here. But with no proper lights it can be dangerous for the children to run around or even walk in the dark.
Locals in Pontevedra buying pineapples. They were being sold via a tricycle. Looks like its the season. Later a local offered me one, it was really juicy and sweet.
The Tricycle – Pride and joy of the Philippines, the most popular mode of transportation in provinces here. It suppose to carry two to three passengers but I have seen up to seven people on board.
