A tale of rescue and survival amid Yolanda's fury

Author's Note: Lieutenant Colonel Fermin Carangan is the Commanding Officer of TOG 8, the Air Force unit tasked to provide air support for the islands of Samar and Leyte. On the morning of Friday, November 8, he and his troops were in their office near the Tacloban Airport on red alert, having been informed of incoming Super Storm Yolanda (international name: Haiyan). 
 

The following events occured during the height of Yolanda's fury in Tacloban, and were narrated to Lt. Col. Allan Taguba (assistant chief of staff for education and training of the Army's 8th Infantry Division) by Lt Col Carangan himself.

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We were out of the office at 6 a.m. Friday, observing. Winds brought by Yolanda were already strong around that time. We (the Air Force troops in Tacloban) were prepared for the possibility of rescue missions days before the expected landfall of Yolanda. Just before 7 a.m., the rains started to pour, so we took shelter.

 

Around the same time, we noticed that water was slowly entering our office, so we went out again. Then. suddenly, we saw that the water was getting higher and higher, until we were forced to go up to the ceiling of the building. 

 

We had to bore holes in the ceiling just to get up there. I was the last one up.

 

Suddenly the building collapsed and I saw my men falling into the surging water and the very strong winds. There was no more roof on top of the building. I was able to hold on to a piece of wood – a truss, which I had forcibly removed just before I was taken by the waves and the strong current.

 

I didn’t notice that my two junior officers were already gone. Both were fresh graduates from the PMA, and they were beside me before we were swallowed by the water. Then I saw one of my soldiers trying to hold on to a still uncollapsed wall of another destroyed building. I tried to reach him, but the current was too strong and there was confusion and hysteria.

 

I was going farther and farther out into sea and all I saw were the tips of coconut trees starting to disappear into the swelling water. Suddenly, I saw a child hugging a floating coconut tree tightly. By a stroke of luck, the current led me to the child, and I was able to pluck him from his very unfortunate situation. He then held on to the piece of wood I was, myself, holding on to. Then we floated until we were out there in the middle of nowhere.

 

At sea, we went through another hell. We were slapped by waves. Great, big waves from all directions. We were also buffeted like toys by swirling winds and we couldn’t help but drink a lot of salt water. I was now getting so tired and so was Miguel (the boy’s name). He was just seven years old. Too young to die, I thought. 

 

I thought of my family. I prayed to God to take care of my wife and kids. I thought I’ve done for them what every father could – that is, to take good care of them. 

 

I also thought of my men. Days previous, I had told them to ensure the safety of their families, especially those in Tacloban, since the city could be hit hard and every one of us would be busy in the rescue missions after Yolanda. They might not have time to check on their families during the rescue. 

 

Then, I thought of the two new graduates of PMA 2013. I thought that if something happened to me, at least I was able to give professional and honorable service for a time. And that I’d done enough since graduation. These two young guys were just starting and still have a very bright future ahead.

 

I looked at Miguel. He was trembling hard because of the cold. His very young body could just not  cope up with the elements. He said, “Kuya, I will sleep now. I’m so tired already.” 

 

Then, I thought, maybe I survived because of this child? Without him I would have given up. Maybe he’s the reason I’m still alive because God wants me to make sure this child will live? 

 

I shouted at Miguel: “Don’t sleep! You can do it. Look, we are already near land.” Then I pointed at what I thought was another wall of swelling water, just to lift Miguel's spirits. And then I realized that it was, indeed, the shoreline!! 

 

I thought: there really is a Powerful Being!

 

Author's epilogue: The two survived Yolanda and the rough seas between Leyte and Samar during the onslaught of the typhoon. They floated around the bay near Tacloban airport and were eventually rescued along the shoreline of Basey, Samar at around 1p.m. the same day. They had been floating for about six hours before they were rescued. Basey and Tacloban are separated by the San Pablo and San Pedro Bay.

The devastation they saw along the Basey shoreline is another story worth telling. Some of Lt. Col. Carangan’s men are still missing. These men were supposed to take part in the relief and rescue operations for Leyte and Samar. Alas, it turned out that they too would be the very victims of Yolanda's wrath.

 

Editor's Note: During a phone call with Maj Gen (Ret) Carlos Holganza earlier today, Friday, Nov 15, Lt Col Fermin Carangan is resting and in recovery. Miguel was meanwhile taken from Lt Col Carangan for aid and treatment when they were rescued in Basey. The two junior officers who were swept away have also been found alive. — KDM, GMA News

 

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Maj Gen (Ret) Carlos “Charly” Holganza was the former Commander of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. He retired in May 2012, after spending more than 37 years in service. This post originally appeared in his blog on November 11. We are re-posting it here with his permission.