Homelessness fails to dim Sendong victims’ New Year optimism

By Virgil B. Lopez
Monday, January 2, 2012
CAGAYAN DE ORO—Despite a massive flashflood that washed away their house, John Lloyd Damalan, a six-year-old first grader, is raring to go back to school.
Classes in public elementary and secondary schools are set to resume on January 3 even as some schools are being used as evacuation centers for nearly 40,000 people who survived the deadly onslaught of Tropical Storm Sendong (international name: Washi) in mid-December.
Enrolled at the West City Central School in Carmen village, Damalan told Sun.Star that he was unsure if his mentors can still teach them well in the next few days because some rooms are occupied by evacuees.
Still, the lanky boy said the resumption of classes would help the affected students like him to move on from the tragedy and return to normal lives.
“I’m anxious if my other classmates are also affected by the flooding. Good for us we were able to escape the rampaging waters but I don’t know with my other classmates. I want to talk to them,” Damalan, whose family is sharing relief packs and other amenities with some 9,400 people at the City Central School, said.
Damalan is just one of the urban poor residents of Isla de Oro, where some 1,000 houses were destroyed by the mammoth flood, triggered by a swelled Cagayan de Oro River on December 16.
That he survived, for him, is a miracle in itself, a belief shared by his neighbor Ralph Demdim.
Demdim said the floodwaters had gone chest-deep, which prompted his family and neighbors to run to the nearest village hall and seek help. They were then escorted by village officials to City Central for their temporary shelter.
Like Damalan, Demdim was thankful that his three siblings and parents were able to survive the tragedy as he gets himself ready for a long exam in Math after the two-week holiday break.
Unfortunately, the first grader said he can longer review for the test since his notes and textbooks were carted away by the flood, together with his family’s belongings.
But that hardly matters for Demdim since he is excited to welcome the New Year.
“We don’t have food to prepare though,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to a nice fireworks display to cap the celebration.
Like Demdin, Mercedita Hino is keeping a positive attitude to cope with reality.
Her family also failed to save any possessions after they raced against time to run away from the rising floodwaters.
Hino, now 44 years old and a wife of a market vendor, said she never expected the floodwaters to rush into their home.
Good thing that Cookie, her dog, kept on barking while they were watching television, only to find out later that the water was already rising at a fast pace.
Hino, together with her husband and four children, first went to a local radio station for help. Radio staff likewise brought them to City Central.
So far, evacuees have not been complaining of scarcity of food and water supply. There is enough relief goods for everyone, Hino said, as she asked for a permanent relocation site from the government for them to start anew.
Upon the instructions of President Benigno Aquino III, soldiers have disallowed residents of Isla de Oro and those living near the riverbanks from returning to rebuild their homes, mostly made of wood and metal roofing sheets.
These houses offered no resistance to heavy flooding, as seen from the recent disaster that killed over 800 people in this bustling city.
A nine-hectare lot in Calaanan, Canitoan village is reportedly being developed as relocation site for the storm victims but the news has yet to reach Hino and other evacuees.
“We’re still waiting for the city government to talk to us and shed light on questions with regard to our transfer,” she said.
Aside from a new house and cash assistance, Hino said her wish for 2012 is good health
for her family and that the disaster which came during the yuletide season would never be repeated. (Sunnex) http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2011/12/31/homelessness-fails-dim-sendong-victims-new-year-optimism-198290

Manila residents, local and foreign tourists visiting Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines frequently visit the famous lake of Clark Freeport to unwind and relax. Families with children organize reunion and retreat in the famous Clearwater Resort which many consider to be the best hotel in Angeles City and Clark Philippines. Tourists and visitors who are particular concerned for safety often choose to stay inside Clark. Guests pick the best resort in Clark Pampanga so they feel secured enough to relax and unwind during their holidays and vacations in the Philippines.

A good treat for holidays in Philippines can be a trip to Clark Pampanga to unwind and relax in the best resort in Pampanga Clearwater in Clark Philippines, a frequently visited hotel near Angeles City where kids can enjoy themselves playing in the safe and clean outdoor facilities. Tourists looking for a place to go in Pampanga highly recommend a day trip to this private resort in Clark Pampanga Philippines, the best hotel in Clark, a place with beautiful and peaceful ambience where guests can relax and unwind in safety. Clearwater is generally regarded as the best resort in Clark Pampanga and tourists traveling with children cannot agree with this hotel selection more, as kids really love the safe and clean outdoor facilities of this private resort in Pampanga.

Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

A Well-known Restaurant in Pampnga, an interesting place to celebrate Birthday Party in Pampnga.
A best place to dine with friends in Pampanga

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

www.YatsRestaurant.com
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion

www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Looking for a restaurant in Clark for a Business meeting? Or a place to eat with friends? Yats Restaurant offers exclusive dinner venue for groups, a good place to celebrate special occasions, it can be a party venue in town. Yats Restaurant is a recommended restaurant for private dinner in Philippines, a well-recognized restaurant that serves good food and good wines for dinner.

Event organizers and planners looking for a large venue for big groups in outdoor functions and gatherings highly recommend Clearwater Resort located near Manila in Clark Philippines. Most hotels in Pampanga are tight in space and few offer any real outdoor space that families with children need to let kids enjoy the facilities of a good private resort near Manila. This special hotel in Angeles Pampanga Clark Freeport offers large space and facilities that can accommodate big events, concerts, company outings, team building and other company and social gatherings.

What really defines the ambience and lifestyle of this private outdoor resort in Clark is its spacious picnic grounds. The largest one is called the Brunello Garden which can easily accommodate functions and events for 3000 or more. Being several hectares in area, this amenity of Clearwater Resort is frequently visited for family picnics. Visitors from Manila travel to Clark to unwind and relax underneath old Acacia trees in the Brunello Gardens. This is one way for stressed out city residents to spend quality time in a leisure laidback pace.

For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now

Family bonding can be very enjoyable this summer vacation if travelers can go north to Clark Pampanga and hang out in famous and highly recommended beach resort near Manila Clearwater near Angeles City Philippines. This is one of the best hotel resort in Pampanga, frequently visited by family travelers with children.

There is a casual café with a beautiful view which serves good breakfast and basic lunch and dinner. Foodies can opt to drive over to Mimosa about 3 minutes away just a bit too far to walk, to have dinner at the fine-dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar. This cozy and romantic restaurant serves French Mediterranean cuisine at prices that are surprisingly affordable. For wine lovers, this restaurant in Mimosa Clark Freeport Pampanga is a treat with its award winning 3000-line wine lists that contain not only the famous labels but also connoisseurs’ choice of fine vintage wines.

Clearwater Beach and Lake Resort
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo, Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(632) 633-1566 (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177 Joanne or Jeremy

Reservation@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea, Kristine or Chay

Getting to this beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

Staying in a good hotel or resort in Pampanga Clark Philippines, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

While staying in some of the best hotels in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

Clark Pampanga has many good hotels and resorts to choose from, accommodating guests looking for holidays and vacations in the Philippines. Best hotels in Pampanga offer good outdoor facilities to children and kids to enjoy the resort while parents and adults relax and unwind in safe and clean venues. For assistance with hotels in Pampanga and Clark Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

The London Pub is a very popular resto bar for residents, tourists, business executives and visitors from Manila to hang out, drink, relax and unwind after work or a game of golf during the day. Fine English cuisine, family comfort food is served. It is also very famous for the best fish n chips in the Philippines.
http://www.LondonPubClark.com

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