“During the typhoon, the water reached above my knees. It was 2:00 AM, and I was alone in the house, I was so nervous. All I had was biscuits and water.”
This is how 77-year-old Angelito Mendoza described the night the floods swept through his home in Abangan Sur, Marilao, Bulacan.
Living alone and battling arthritis, Angelito could not evacuate when the waters rose.
“My friend came to get me, but I couldn’t walk. I told him I couldn’t leave my house. Last typhoon, I lost so many things. I didn’t want that to happen again.”
Instead, he stayed. He stacked chairs and made a makeshift bed above the rising water.
“I just prayed, ‘Lord, please let the water stop rising.’ And it did.”
With only a Php 250 daily pension to live on, it’s a struggle to make ends meet after a typhoon, “I wanted to keep working as an electrician, but I can’t do it anymore. I just stretch what little I have.”
Flooding is a harsh reality in Marilao. That’s why it was a huge relief for Angelito and his neighbors when Operation Blessing, in partnership with Jesus is Alive Community Church, visited their town last July 30 and delivered essential items.
He was one of 100 families who received much-needed food bags filled with rice, canned goods, and other items that can sustain them in the coming week.
More than the tangible relief, the beneficiaries also received prayers and words of encouragement from the disaster response team.
Even during the outreach, floodwaters still covered roads and homes, which made it difficult for residents to rebuild sooner.
“Most residents here are factory workers. No work, no pay. They couldn’t go to work because they had to prioritize their family’s safety. The food packs from Operation Blessing helped meet their needs in this difficult time,” said Associate Pastor Apriniel Delloro of Jesus is Alive Community Church.
“Whenever there’s a typhoon, this area really gets flooded. Almost no house is spared. That’s why we keep partnering with Operation Blessing. Their help doesn’t just meet material needs–it brings people closer to God,” shared Pastor Michelle Razon.
For Angelito and residents of Marilao, the help and prayers they received is a reminder that they are not forgotten. That there is hope after the storm.
“The Lord bless you and keep you always, Operation Blessing. And to the donors who helped us, thank you so much for your generosity.”
Operation Blessing is still on the ground to reach more typhoon-affected families. Help us help more, donate through cbnasia.com/give or call 8-737-0-700.
