Commemorating Sendong

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At exactly 12 midnight of the 17th of December 2011, my father and I were ought to go to Orchids Subdivision, Santiago, Iligan City. We were out to save my cousins who were trapped from the downpour of rain in their ceiling, only to find out that our doorway was flooded with raging waters. By ten minutes, our house was full of water about 8 ft or more. Me, my mother and father were in the house roof for safety. It was the darkest of the night, hearing the waters, our dogs barking and our frantic neighbors asking for each others help.

Mandulog River, the river has widened ever since Sendong washed the best of it.

By the dawn of light, the waters were gone but the houses were full of mud and some were dead. A disaster has fallen to Iligan City and as well as the neighboring City of Cagayan de Oro. A first of its kind and at its worst killing thousands of people. We survived Sendong. 

A year has passed but the event seems fresh. On the same day on the year of 2012, people commemorated Sendong. A painful and dark event but a miracle indeed. Never has Iligan seen more hope than after that day. 

Sendong Commeration, at Gerona, Iligan City December 17, 2012

To those who lived, live your life to the fullest. To those who lost families, have hope and be still the Lord is with You. To those who lost their homes, stand up and build again. To those who shared their time, money and strength, we thank you for your immense help. This circumstance that we live by will only make us stronger.

The Sendong Memorial Statue

Location: Sendong Memorial Park at Gerona, Iligan City

A creation by artist Julie Lluch, this masterfully crafted bronze sculpture depicts a little girl riding a log. The girl was one of the survivors of Typhoon Sendong. She apparently rode the log from Brgy. Digkilaan and was safely recovered in the municipality of Bacolod, Lanao del Norte. Amazingly, she survived, despite of the snake at the other end.

Photo by Lawrence Rahem

(This Photo and Caption were taken from Explore Iligan 9200 Facebook)

I lived past Sendong. I survived.

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