Iligan City employs humor and pageantry to relieve post-Sendong stress

For at least one night, residents of Iligan City made light of their predicament by holding a New Year's Eve pageant named after tropical storm "Sendong" (Washi).

 

Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz said Saturday night some residents took part in the pageant where they vied for the title "Mr. and Mrs. Sendong."

 

"Gumawa sila ng Mr. and Mrs. Sendong, Miss Banlas, Miss Survivor. Nakuha nilang tumawa doon (They vied for titles of Mr. and Mrs. Sendong, and Miss Banlas and Miss Survivor. At least for a night, they got to make light of their situation)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He said some volunteers who had helped the residents cope with their situation in past days served as "judges" in the New Year's Eve pageant.

 

But he said they realize that once the New Year arrives, they will have to face the continued challenge to rebuild their homes.

 

"After new year, 2012 is going to be a most challenging year for all of us," Cruz said. — ELR, GMA News