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The unsung heroes of the Bohol quake
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On the 14th anniversary of GMA-7’s flagship documentary “I-Witness”, Howie Severino took viewers back to Bohol on the fateful day of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Here, he met ordinary men and women who extraordinarily risked their lives to save their loved ones – and even complete strangers.
The loss of a child
Loboc town was heavily ravaged by the October 15 earthquake. One of the destroyed buildings included an internet cafe that collapsed on seven children.
One of them was 9-year-old Jonalyn Boyles, who just happened to stop by to buy some bread.
Even as the ground trembled beneath his feet, her father Ranulfo raced to find her. He explained how he refused to run, saying, “Dito lang ako kasi alam kong nandito lang ang anak ko. Ayokong pabayaan ‘yun.”
He and another father dug through the debris in an attempt to rescue the buried children. He recalled finding three children but only one of them was still alive. Unfortunately, it was too late for Jonalyn and the rest.
Rodolfo looks on at the wreckage of the internet shop and tearfully said, “Kaagad lang na binawi ng Panginoon ang anak ko. Paano na ‘yan, mag-isa na ako.”
Strangers to the rescue
Tito, a jeepney driver, was trapped when the roof and walls of the historical Loboc Church caved on top of him.
Despite the series of terrifying aftershocks, two brave and selfless bystanders rushed to save the people under the rubble, including Tito.
Ruben Tumanda explained how he and another friend tried to hold the entire Loboc Church roof up to pull Tito out. For Ruben, the danger and possibility of dying didn’t matter. “Kahit ano na mangyari, basta madala namin sa ospital,” said Ruben.
Jopeth Alcantara echoed Ruben’s sentiments and simply said, “‘Pag sumigaw ‘yung tao ng tulong, syempre tulungan mo.”
In 2003, host Howie Severino met the award-winning Loboc Children’s Choir. Ten years later, most of the members have left the town – except for Jessa, who is now 21 years old.
She was in Loboc at the time of the earthquake and is now a nurse helping victims of the tragedy. “Akala ko babagsak na ‘yung second floor ng bahay kasi ang lakas ng lindol. ‘Pag labas namin, may nahimatay so tinulungan namin,” she recounted.
She shared how her aunts and cousins were also nurses helping out victims of the quake.
‘Mabuti nandoon si Kapitan’
The earthquake also hit the remote municipality of Inabangon in Bohol.
Barangay Captain Felix Calay left the safety of his home in the middle of the quake to help his constituents. His wife, Joyce, was in tears as she recalled how he insisted on leaving, despite how much she plead him to stay indoors.
“Sabi niya, ‘Kung saan man ako kukunin ng Panginoon, doon na ako. Basta may nangangailangan sa akin, pupuntahan ko talaga,’” she said.
Kapitan Felix went on to rescue several children from drowning in the river. Their mother Elvie, was beyond grateful, saying, “Mabuti andoon si Kapitan, at sinagip sila.” – Aimee Dacanay/CM, GMA News
