“TULUNGAN N’YO PO KAMI, MA’M”

 This is the story of Lizette Lim — one person who took her cue from God and got the whole Central B District on a mission that would make them witnesses of His unending miracles along the way.

"Lizette Lim, in her element" - Eddie Mendoza

I got in from Bangkok three days before typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila.  I counted myself lucky as I could have been stranded in a foreign land, away from my family.  Saturday was training day for my two girls, as both Claudine and Nicole are hard court cheerleaders of Poveda.  However, due to the previous night’s heavy downpour, we told them to stay put in the house.  Another stroke of luck.  All safe and sound.

Then I got a text from a sister, Michelle Manzo, asking for help as her parents, sisters, nephew and nieces were trapped in their house in Rolling Hills, New Manila.  That was when it dawned on me that this was not just another typhoon.  This was a wake-up call.  I tried to ask for help from my friends in the military, my husband Anton tried all his contacts in the government sector, but with the sudden turn of events, everyone was caught unprepared!  It was just overwhelming.  And the rest of the world saw how the Filipinos survived the killer typhoon.

It is in the nature of the Filipinos to help without any prodding.  It was spontaneous and automatic for each and everyone to do their share of rescue operations, relief operations, feeding, medical missions, soliciting goods/donations, volunteering in the relief center, distributing in the evacuation center, counseling/debriefing of victims, etc.

But this is our story…

On October 10, a Saturday, I arranged for the pick-up of tables and chairs (donated by Poveda) and books (from Abiva Publishing) for my adopted public schools in Cabangan, Zambales.  This year’s beneficiary is Laoag Elementary School.  The year before was Casa Tondo Elementary School.  The delay in the transport (which is usually done in June) was due to donated computers we were waiting to be released by a call center.  It was God’s way, I believe.

“Tulungan niyo po kami, Ma’m.”

As we were loading the tables and chairs in the truck, Lyn, my contact person in Cabangan said, “Tulungan niyo po kami, Ma’am.  Lalo na ang Botolan.”  (“Please help us, Ma’am. Especially Botolan.”)  Then she described the details of the devastation of typhoon Pepeng.  Tulungan, a cry for help, greatly affected me as I am always, always moved to action whenever I hear such words.  So I said yes, gagawan ko ng paraan.  (I’ll find a way.)  I asked her to see what the victims in Botolan needed.  Three days later, Lyn texted me that she already talked to the social workers of Botolan and that the appeal was for sugar, coffee, milk for infants/children, bread, biscuits, and salt.

That Wednesday, I asked the “Sisterhood of Bible Scholars” (a group of Ligaya women who meets every week to study the Bible), “Who wants to go with me to Botolan?”  And “Mommy Daisy” (Mendoza), SWL of Central B, replied, “Whose group are you going with?”  I answered, “By myself.”  That night, I realized I was embarking on a journey by myself.  The only funds I had on hand was P3,000.00–a left-over from the donations I solicited for Bishop Soc Villegas a week before, for his appeal for Pangasinan, sent through a text message to Becky Aranaz (Central B).  I was able to get P8,000.00 then from the senior citizens of our parish, which I used to buy canned goods.  The P3,000.00 was given the day after the truck left for Pangasinan so I asked permission from the donors, Tito Bert Singson and tita Auring Asuncion, if I could use the money for Botolan instead; and they said yes.  But P3,000.00 could only buy at most, 15 bags of food items.  And there were 2,400 families in the evacuation centers in Botolan!  I told myself, “Bahala na si Batman.”

The next day, my angel of mercy—Merci Bermundo (Central B)—texted me, “Tuloy ba tayo sa Botolan? (Are we on for Botolan?)  When are we leaving?”  I texted back, “Yipee! Yipee! May kasama na ako! (Now I have company.)  But Merci, I only have P3,000.00.”  She said, “Okay, I will try Flying V and get from my friends.”  That was my cue from God.  Man proposes, God disposes.

Fearing donor fatigue

I gathered enough courage again to appeal for help.  What held me back was the thought that people were already experiencing “donor fatigue”.  So my opening line was—I don’t want to impose or beg, but this is an appeal for Botolan.  I randomly sent the message to my friends.  Some replied, other’s didn’t (probably too tired of helping out already), while some totally ignored me.  But I believe that God wanted me to act on it.

When I picked up my kids from school, I was told by the guard that Kris Aquino was coming for the Teachers’ Day program, so I decided to stay behind and watch.  Lo and behold!  I saw a co-parent, Bables Feliciano, who is a sugar trader!  I could have met a rice trader, but sugar…swak na swak to what the Botolan victims needed.  “Ilang sako kailangan mo, Lizette?”  (“How many bags do you need?”)  Again, God’s cue for me to pursue this.  God is indeed a precise God!

My other angel, Sarah Peliño, informed our Central B District Coordinator, Eddie Mendoza, of my appeal.  So during the Sector Assembly that Sunday, he asked me about it and I told him that I was really already embarrassed to ask for help due to donor fatigue; but he told me that there is no limit to what we can give.  Words of wisdom—meaning, I guess—why am I limiting God’s generosity?

Before that, I told Merci that I wanted to leave for Botolan on Friday, October 23, which means we had only one week to prepare.  I said, whatever comes before Friday, that’s what we’re going to bring.  I texted Eddie Mendoza the details of the Botolan endeavor.  He then issued a mission memo to two mwgs: the “Council of Trent” (MWG of Bob Tenchavez) and the “Council of Ten” (MWG of Claro Pablo, then headed by Edward Isaac). 

No limit to God’s generosity

Monday, October 19, we convened at the residence of Edward and Beth Isaac.  The ever cool Bob Tenchavez asked how many bags I intend to bring to Botolan and at what cost per bag.  And so the bidding for Botolan commenced.  That night, we raised P 96,000.00!  Truly, He is an amazing God!  And indeed, Bob and Betsy Tenchavez, with their group composed of Nonoy and Grace Tan, Lito and Merci Bermundo, Edgar and Ginny Talavera, Bob and Mel Garcia, Archit and Nenne Bartolome, and my former PLs Willie and Sarah Peliño, are worthy of the title “Council of Trent” because when they help—they go all out.  Bob Garcia even shared that God’s timing is perfect.  That morning, his sister in the U.S. called and said she will remit payment for a long-forgotten debt.  And that was a sign for them to donate.

My own MWG’s (Council of Ten) story was touching.  Arlene Arcilla texted me that night that they were giving P 5,000.00 but I refused because their own house also got flooded.  Two days after, though, I got a text from Susan Buhain that Arlene ordered P 5,000.00 worth of milk!  Her story—she believes that better days are sure to come so they wanted to do their share.  I also told Becky Aranaz not to give anymore since she husband Jose had already given so much for the other relief efforts, but she said, “No, I want to give more.”

Tuesday, October 20, Nonoy Tan called me with the good news that he got a donation of 500 pails from Orocan and food items from another friend.  My friend, Beging Soriano, confirmed that she could lend me her service vehicle to transport the goods.  Susan Buhain texted that she’s donating Kopiko coffee, Energen cereal drinks and cans of condensed milk, Fr. Jorge Belosillo (my parish priest) gave five sacks of rice, and Becky Aranaz bought P 5,000.00 worth of slippers in Divisoria.  Things were falling in place.

Wednesday, October 21, was grocery day.  My sister Ynna, Merci B., Mel G., and I together with Sarah P’s driver Rico, trooped to Pioneer Center to buy the food items.  And then another miracle happened.  I saw the mom of Anton’s batchmate, Inday Bautista, and greeted her.  It was really the Holy Spirit who put words in my mouth because right then and there, she pulled out money from her wallet and gave it to me as donation.  Alleluia!  The grocery ran out of Sarsarap rice ulam sauce.  We checked the label and found out that the owner is a friend of Mel, so she called him up and voila! We got our needed Sarsarap.  How God attends even to the little details.

Thursday, October 22, was packing/sorting day.  The Central B District’s brothers and sisters came in full force to the Holy Family Parish (Capitolio) deck.  Apparently, they got email blasts form our Coordinator, Eddie, and came to help sort, pack, bundle, and arrange the pails/bags.  Thanks to Manny and Arlene Arcilla, Dickie Buhain, Beth Isaac, Daisy Mendoza, Au Santos, Rocky de Castro, Joseph Mora (with his 2 kids), Romy and Thelma Tocjayao, Merci B., Rudy Aguillera, Anton Lim, Yong and Che Garcia, Michelle Manzo, Christine and Corrine Caoile, as well as the church workers of Holy Family Parish for a job well done.  At the end of the day, we filled up a total of 500 pails and 336 grocery bags; with food items and goods still pouring in.  720 bottles of vitamins were also delivered that day, courtesy of Edward Isaac.  Packed meals for the happy workers were delivered, compliments of Beth Isaac and Anton Lim.  How God multiplies His bounty!

And, as if that wasn’t enough, another miracle happened.  My problem with transporting the pails was that I needed a bigger truck.  I made lambing with all my “connect” and got one for free but was only available on Saturday.  The other one, courtesy of Menchu Roman, (also for free) but was only available on Sunday.  I have set my eyes on Friday and with the many surprises that God has given me in the past days, I had no doubt in my mind that something positive will once again awe me.   All of a sudden, Michelle Manzo, who has previously informed me that their truck was in the shop for repair, sprung a surprise.  “Mamu (that’s her pet name for me), I got you a truck and Jay (her husband) said it’s free!”  Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!

God cleared the storm to provide relief

Friday, October 23 – dispatch of 2 trucks to Botolan – with Team A (SUV of Nonoy Tan): Nonoy, Bob Garcia, Anton and Lizette Lim, Merci Bermundo and Gelay; and Team B (Van of Betsy Tenchavez): Betsy, Daisy Mendoza, Clarence and Rose Sartaguda, Christine and Corrine Caoile, Honey, and Liza.  GO! GO! GO BOTOLAN!  Warned by many that incoming typhoon Ramil was set to reach the land Thursday night or Friday morning, we were grateful to be greeted by a sunny weather that Friday!  Awesome God indeed!

We experienced a little delay because of miscommunication with the truck driver but at 7:30 AM, we were on the road to Botolan.  Team B reached Subic ahead of us and had a sumptuous breakfast at the house of Bob and Betsy Tenchavez.  Meanwhile, Team B, together with truck drivers Marnie Roma, Manong Ray Panisa, and the “Borloloy Boys” of the Parish—Richard, Arthur, and Amir grabbed a Jollibee breakfast.

Upon reaching Botolan at noontime, we passed by the still flooded roads, houses that were swept away, vehicles submerged in water—evident devastation brought about by the floods. 

Botolan still submerged

We then brought the first batch of relief goods to the first evacuation center where the evacuees were housed in tents, two to three families sharing a small tent.  As is customary, we started with a prayer.  Indeed, we saw joy in their faces and glee in their eyes as they lined up for the goods.  The smile on the children’s faces—too innocent, too young to understand all of it—as we distributed the cereals and drinks, as well as the slippers, was just heartwarming.

Central B Relief Operation in Botolan begins

The second evacuation center was a warehouse and the people there were evidently affected by their present living conditions.  We even encountered some distribution problems because a certain group was complaining of bias in the distribution of goods.  The third center was an area of makeshift bamboo houses.  After lining up, they would happily say, “Salamat.”  (“Thank you.”)

Ever thankful for the present, but mindful of the future.

Our face-to-face encounter with the victims of Botolan brought out the best in each of us.  Even Romy, the driver of Nonoy, and Cecil, the driver of Betsy, helped in handing out the pails/grocery bags.  They did not distance themselves but eagerly joined in the activities.  And so, together with the truck drivers, I saw all of us drenched in sweat but happy.  We emptied the truck and the Isuzu Elf of all of its contents.  We gave them all out.

Called for such a time as this.

We emptied ourselves, too.  We got out of our comfort zones and reached out to them and gave of ourselves.  We believe we accomplished God’s mission for us at that time—to let them see the face of Jesus and to bring them His love, His compassion, and His hope!  Mission accomplished!

Mission accomplished! (For now.)

-          Lizette Lim, Central B