storm Sendong – ellen tordesillas

Life after Sendong

Published by Ellen on December 31, 2011

By Erwin Mascariñas

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After the shock and the tears, people here and in Iligan City are starting to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives two weeks after tropical storm Sendong ravaged their homes and their land.

Lack of sufficient water supply, electricity and other basic necessities, did not stop the survivors of Sendong from moving on.

“We lost our house, clothes, everything. It’s s hard but we have no choice but to move on,”said Jocena Kanood who lost her home in Isla de Oro.

Making Christmas meaningful

Published by Ellen on December 25, 2011

I was talking with Mindanao-based photo-journalist Erwin Mascariñas, who brought us heart-rending images of the tragedy wrought by storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the other day and telling him that I felt awkward greeting him “Merry Christmas” when I know that he is surrounded by grief and suffering.

Erwin was not spared of Sendong’s wrath. While he was out taking pictures, floodwaters entered his house and ruined all their things. He said he is thankful for the donations of clothes which he and members of his family are now wearing.

Surviving Sendong

Published by Ellen on December 23, 2011

BY Erwin Mascariñas, VERA Files

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Floodwaters brought by storm “Sendong” swept Cagayan de Oro and Iligan city and other parts of Central Mindanao while people were sleeping Friday night last week.

Power went out. In the darkness of the night, people panicked as they tried to flee from the rampaging mud and debris.

It was chaos. Heartrending cries for help filled the air. Mothers and fathers watched in horror as they lost hold of their children, carried away by floodwaters.

Sendong’s dead dumped in garbage landfill site

Published by Ellen on December 19, 2011

Text and photos by Froilan Gallardo, Mindanews

I am a professional photojournalist and I am not in a habit of showing bloated bodies unless there is a compelling reason. This is an exception. The city government of Cagayan de Oro transferred 30 bodies from Bollozos Funeral Homes in Barangay Bulua to the garbage landfill in Zayas, Barangay Carmen Sunday night. The reson is the bodies have bloated and smelled a lot. Since no one came forward to claim the bodies, the city government said the bodies would be better in the landfill where it could still be viewed by relatives.

I am shocked by this decision. The city government has made countless of mistakes since tropical storm Sendong struck but this decision TOPS THEM ALL. Why transfer the bodies to a garbage landfill? The dead are not garbage no matter how bloated they are. Yet the city government left the bodies lying on the ground under the sun. The dead is always handled with respect. It only showed how insensitive the city government. Grabeh.

Actress’ tweets earned brickbats for PNoy

Published by Ellen on December 18, 2011

Interaksyon’s article by Mark Holandes Ubalde:

While nation mourns Sendong’s dead, Aquino partying with actresses in Palace?

Statement of Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang issued today, Dec. 19, 2011.

Yesterday (Sunday), a decision was made to cancel cabinet Christmas party but PSG decided to push thrpugh with its party since relatives of soldiers had already flown in from the provinces. The President dropped by the PSG party.

Where was President Benigno S. Aquino III on Sunday evening, as the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities and several other areas in Visayas and Mindanao grapple with the devastation of tropical storm Sendong? Apparently, drinking with his security personnel in Malacanang, and laughing and exchanging jokes with actresses.

Related article:
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/19918/aquino-to-visit-flood-ravaged-areas-dec–20-not-dec–27

This was according to a post on Twitter by actress Valerie Concepcion on Sunday, the same day the combined death toll in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan climbed to more than 600.

“Done w/ work.. Tnx for having me.. 🙂 It was nice to see Pres. P-Noy laughing at my jokes & enjoying my performance..ü #Malacañang #PSGNight,“ Concepcion said in her tweet that has since been deleted as of posting time.

Sendong triggers review of government disaster plan

Published by Ellen on December 18, 2011

from interaksyon3 — Thanks to www.interaksyon.com for the photo

The disaster that has caused deaths and misery to hundreds of our countrymen in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and other parts of Central Mindanao should give more meaning to Christmas even as we in Metro Manila reduce it to endless shopping and flurry of Christmas parties.

Let’s do our share to lessen the suffering of the victims of storm Sendong.

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President Benigno Aquino wants the country’s disaster management plan reviewed following the deaths and devastation caused by Sendong.