Surviving our personal storms

Typhoon Ulysses flooded Atenean scholar Reyna Mae Bautista’s home in Tumana, Marikina. Yet, the flood of support from her friends, family, and school was stronger. This is her story of hope and how she is paying it forward.

On the night of November 11, 2020, I was up doing my final requirements for math class. I remember looking at the clock reading 11:34 pm. It rained the whole day and classes were suspended the following day. I recall closing my eyes for a few minutes. The next thing I knew, I was waking up to my father screaming in alarm: “Reyna, andiyan na yung tubig!” It was 3:17 am.

Half-awake, I could not fully grasp all the panic and screaming in the house. I got up, and as soon as I stepped into our living room, I saw the flood waters. Completely shocked with what was unfolding right in front of my eyes, I grabbed my phone, my wallet, and an emergency bag that was hanging behind my bedroom door. Minutes after, power was cut off so we had to go to our neighbor’s house in complete darkness.

For the rest of the morning, we just stared out the window, watching people try to salvage their belongings as the flood continued to rise. It was 2:00 pm when the rain finally stopped, but we still had to wait for the water to go down. The flood was almost two meters high, which easily engulfed single-story houses like ours.

The next day, we went back to our house. More than being dejected, I felt numb. The whole house was a disaster. I could not even bring myself to imagine how my entire life—including teenage memorabilia, and cherished Taylor Swift albums—floated next to my mother’s urn and the few prized possessions our family kept for ages. With all our belongings completely drenched, we could not have proper meals, and we had to sleep in a small room with my uncle’s family for almost a week. I also had to live off of my 7% phone battery to contact my school, friends, and relatives and let them know about my current situation.

As soon as news got around, help started pouring in almost every day in all ways imaginable. Friends and family dropped by almost every hour to deliver essential needs despite the muddy and slippery roads in Tumana, not to mention the unpleasant stench coming from no one knows where. Food, clothes, face masks, and even new bed mattresses from Uratex were sent by generous donors and friends. At first, it was overwhelming to receive donations and gifts from different people—friends I have not talked to for a long time or even people I have not talked to at all. However, this experience made me realize that I have so many people I can always count on.

Perhaps one of the biggest factors that enabled and encouraged me to move forward is the trust, generosity, and sincerity the Loyola Schools showed me during thistraumatic experience.

Perhaps one of the biggest factors that enabled and encouraged me to move forward is the trust, generosity, and sincerity the Loyola Schools (LS) showed me during this traumatic experience. The day after the flood, several offices called me to check on my well-being. The Office of Student Services asked for things our family might need, and I quickly informed them that the laptop they lent me was soaked in the flood waters. Without a second thought, they told me it was fine and immediately processed a replacement. Second, my counselor from the Office of Guidance and Counseling also called to check on how I was dealing with things emotionally. The assurance that she was available to talk whenever I needed it reminded me that I was safe. I am also grateful for the support the Office of Admission and Aid showed me. Aside from immediately processing financial support for my family, they forwarded my current situation to my professors, who in turn helped me deal with my academic responsibilities after the resumption of classes.

Of course, it was not only the LS offices that showed support and care for me. My teachers, Ateneo Gabay orgmates, and blockmates also made sure I was recovering quickly and safely. My experience is proof that Ateneo is indeed a community that cares for every individual’s well-being and upholds total human development.

I realize that not everyone is as fortunate as I am. Other people have lost their loved ones or their entire livelihood and have nobody to turn to for help. This realization pushed Project: SWITCH!—a non-profit organization that four of my friends and I started in July 2020—to hold relief operations in Barangay Malanday and Tumana in Marikina. Initially, the goal of our fundraiser was limited to helping street food sellers recuperate from the loss of income they experienced due to the lockdown. However, due to the typhoon and floods, we decided to put up a bigger initiative for the whole community.

When I saw the situation in their areas, the first thing I felt was absolute sympathy. Next, I felt absolute gratefulness to God for giving me the will and the strength to help despite my own battles. I thought that what happened to my family was terrible, but while holding the relief operations, I realized that others had it worse. As kids and adults lined up to get their food packs to big smiles and heartfelt “thank yous,” it was the most beautiful consolation and comfort I received that helped and inspired me to bounce back and do better.

Sometimes, especially at a time when we are all stuck at home, we might feel hopeless and helpless. Sadness balances life, and it shows us that we are all human. What’s important is not to dwell in that darkness for most of our lives. We may all have storms in our lives, but at the end of a storm is always clear skies. At the end of the night is always daylight.