November 2013
In the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan
We walked to a village nearby where we met Juanito Martinez. He was gathered with two of his friends in a shack, not far from the city's battered airport. Juanito looked at me with a smile and asked, "Have you eaten yet? Come eat!" I was astonished that his first words to me were to find out if I was hungry -- despite all that was happening around us.
Juanito and his friends were squatting under a few pieces of overlapping corrugated metal sheets reinforced only by broken tree trunks and pieces of wood. They had little to offer as they'd lost everything. A bowl of rice and a pot of boiled noodles was all they could muster on their makeshift table. But that's Filipino hospitality. Even at our lowest moments we offer all that we have.
Juanito proceeded to tell us his story. He was very matter of fact. "My wife and daughter died in the storm," he said. He pointed behind to where their remains still lay. In a gentle tone he added, "I just want to know where their bodies will be taken so I can light a candle for them."
That was it. That was his only request. Juanito looked at me again and smiled. He repeated his invitation, "Come eat!"
--Armie Jarin-Bennett, CNN "Witnessing Haiyan's devastation: 'The Filipino spirit is alive among us'"
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/19/world/asia/philippines-haiyan-devastation-personal/index.html?hpt=hp_c5
Aside from the uplifting news about Manicani Island, Eastern Samar (wherein there was only 1 casualty from its population of 3,000), here's more from that island: According to KumoNews, when Us Marine Maj. John Orio flew his chopper into the isolated island, he only expected to be giving out goods - not receiving them! Filipino hospitality shines in Maricani as they treated Orio to a fresh coconut and a giant crab. They also had the strongest men help unload the relief goods in an orderly fashion.
--Rain Garcia Chua post in Facebook
Photos: http://www.talk.ph/1900/yolanda-victims-thank-marine-via-alimango-fresh-buko/
