Family members, including 89-year-old grandma, cling to tree to survive Typhoon Odette

Family members, including an 89-year old grandmother, were found clinging onto a tree in Negros Occidental when Typhoon Odette battered parts of Luzon and most of Visayas and Mindanao.

According to "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," when the floods reached chest level in Kabankalan, the family had no choice but to cling to a tree for dear life.

One of the family members, Richie, said the water quickly rose and they tried to move their grandmother to a higher place.

"'Yung pagod at takot mo talagang nagsama-sama. Parang nawawalan na rin ako ng pag-asa. Akala ko nga 'yun na 'yung katapusan namin, e. 'Yung ginawa na lang namin is pray talaga," Richie said.

["We were so scared and tired. I felt like I was losing hope. I really thought that was our end. We could only pray."]

A rescuer said he saw the house submerged and the family members holding on to a tree.

"Sabi namin, huwag kayong bibitaw kasi mag-aantay tayo ng rescue," the rescuer said.

["We told them to hold on because rescue was coming."]

Lola Lilia, the 89-year-old grandmother, said she almost gave up.

"Sabi ko matulog na ako, sa tubig. Iyak nang iyak nga sila. Nagdilim nga hindi ko na sila makita. Sigaw sila nang sigaw, palakas ka! Nay! Sa awa ng Diyos maligtas tayo," she said.

["I wanted to sleep. They were crying. It went dark and I couldn't see them anymore. They kept crying. They kept telling me to stay strong, because by God's mercy, we'll be rescued."]

Fortunately, the family was rescued before it was too late.

"Naiyak ako, sabi ko, salamat na lang sa Diyos walang nawala sa aming pamilya. Kahit na mawala ang bahay at ang gamit namin, basta kami, buo pa."

["I cried. I said, thank God everyone in our family is safe. Even if our house and things were destroyed, at least we're still complete."]

Many affected families will be spending Christmas in the aftermath of Odette. The occasion will be particularly memorable to Lola Lilia, who will also be celebrating her 90th birthday.

On Thursday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 was raised over eight areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

Toppled posts, fallen trees, and various debris littered several major roads in the Visayas making them impassable to vehicles.

As of Saturday, 31 were reported dead while 373,110 others or 99,501 families were affected in 1,358 barangays in MIMAROPA, Region 5, Region 6, Region 8, Region 10, Region 11, CARAGA, and BARMM.

For those who wish to help Lola Lilia, please deposit to:

BDO ACCOUNT NUMBER: 003060300075
ACCOUNT NAME: ENDREA R. LOBATON
CONTACT NUMBER: 035 0850 743

– Kaela Malig/RC/MGP, GMA News