5
that time, the most valuable people in our community were the
“tambays”1 who roam the area to check if everyone is safe and secure.
Q13: Were you able to move out of Tacloban?
A13: We managed to get in touch with a distant uncle from the Philippine
Navy. We were allowed to board a military vessel twenty-four (24)
hours before it was officially opened to the public.
At that time, we felt a little secured and we thought we were on a safer
place. There were 5,000 more Taclobanons who went aboard the
vessel. While on board, we saw trees uprooted and dead bodies
everywhere. It reminded me of the scene in the movie Hunger Games.
We swore not to set foot in Tacloban again.
Then, we flew to Cebu and were received by families and friends.
Help was overflowing at that time.
Q14: How long did you stay in Cebu?
A14: Just few months, as we went back to Tacloban in January. My little
brother had to continue schooling. At that time, we stayed with our
aunt because we could not rebuild our house anymore. It was not the
same community. Many have died.
Q15: How was the experience moving back?
A15: It was so difficult. It was so hard to not have your own place. We
tried to save a little to rent out a small room which we could call our
home.
At that time, my mom was no longer active in her real estate job, as no
one would invest in real properties in Tacloban. It was my first time
to see her as a real stay-at-home mom, where she would manually do
our laundry and other household chores. I had no choice, but to work
for the family. I had to work as a school nurse at the school of my
little brother so that I could look after him. At that time, I only earned
PhP 250.00 a day (just over three [3] pounds) or PhP1,300.00 per
week (less than twenty [20] pounds).
To augment my earnings, I worked as a part-time server at my friend’s
burger joint. I used the extra income as my drinking money, as an
attempt to normalize my social life. There, I met people who were
working for foreign non-profit organizations (NGOs). I was able to
build a network and was fortunate to find a new job as research
assistant and community coordinator.
As a research assistant and community coordinator for an NGO, I did
community interviews and I felt like a stranger in my own community
1
Usually unemployed males loitering or hanging out either on a drinking spree or just chatting
with each other outside their homes until wee hours of the morning