by Terence Toriano
Some common stories surfaced right after the destruction brought by Typhoon Frank are personal accounts of what happened during the storm and flood and what they did to secure their respective families and properties.
Mayor Raymar Rebaldo is often heard saying that everyone is a hero since they braved the storm and remained strong in their faith.
But perhaps his untold heroism should be made known with the many detractions circulating around often with intent to malign his name.
There are many stories during the storm but none is simply amazing than what happened to the good mayor himself. Despite the many unverified tales floating around, the following are true.
In the afternoon of June 21 when the flood waters rapidly rose around the Municipal Building, most of the key officers of the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) were caught outside or with their families following the lull of strong winds leaving only a handful of support staff mostly female in the MDCC Action Center. A group of 29 students, taking shelter near DepEd-Aklan’s Division Office is spotted just before dark and they were told to cross the road towards the Municipal Hall since the water level rose to five feet and was still rising. Some managed to get into the Municipal Hall safely. But there were others who got stranded. Mayor Rebaldo, at first asked who among his staff knew how to swim. When he found out that none knew, he just jumped into the water. He single-handedly rescued the stranded students.
Another feat happened two days after the flood. When the driver of the payloader failed to report since he tended to his family and the roads needed to be cleared, Mayor Rebaldo took it to himself to drive LGU-Kalibo’s payloader. He started clearing out some of the roads. Even the Municipal Engineer, Emerson Lachica, mistook him as one of LGU-Kalibo’s drivers.
These two incidents are stories of the good mayor’s heroism Kalibonhons maybe delighted to hear including the ones when he himself installed a portable generator in MDCC’s Action Center to get it running.
However, Mayor Rebaldo shrugs at it when recalled to him. He pointed out that there were also others who instead of pointing fingers to blame, put their hands to work in helping the Ati-Atihan town of Kalibo back on its feet for which he hails them as heroes.
This 31st of August in commemoration of the National Heroes Day, the Kalibonhons were reminded of the nameless heroes who have given their time and effort like the National Agencies, religious sector, civil society organizations and private companies for the relief operations and rehabilitation of the capital town of Aklan. /MP
Mayor Raymar Rebaldo is often heard saying that everyone is a hero since they braved the storm and remained strong in their faith.
But perhaps his untold heroism should be made known with the many detractions circulating around often with intent to malign his name.
There are many stories during the storm but none is simply amazing than what happened to the good mayor himself. Despite the many unverified tales floating around, the following are true.
In the afternoon of June 21 when the flood waters rapidly rose around the Municipal Building, most of the key officers of the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) were caught outside or with their families following the lull of strong winds leaving only a handful of support staff mostly female in the MDCC Action Center. A group of 29 students, taking shelter near DepEd-Aklan’s Division Office is spotted just before dark and they were told to cross the road towards the Municipal Hall since the water level rose to five feet and was still rising. Some managed to get into the Municipal Hall safely. But there were others who got stranded. Mayor Rebaldo, at first asked who among his staff knew how to swim. When he found out that none knew, he just jumped into the water. He single-handedly rescued the stranded students.
Another feat happened two days after the flood. When the driver of the payloader failed to report since he tended to his family and the roads needed to be cleared, Mayor Rebaldo took it to himself to drive LGU-Kalibo’s payloader. He started clearing out some of the roads. Even the Municipal Engineer, Emerson Lachica, mistook him as one of LGU-Kalibo’s drivers.
These two incidents are stories of the good mayor’s heroism Kalibonhons maybe delighted to hear including the ones when he himself installed a portable generator in MDCC’s Action Center to get it running.
However, Mayor Rebaldo shrugs at it when recalled to him. He pointed out that there were also others who instead of pointing fingers to blame, put their hands to work in helping the Ati-Atihan town of Kalibo back on its feet for which he hails them as heroes.
This 31st of August in commemoration of the National Heroes Day, the Kalibonhons were reminded of the nameless heroes who have given their time and effort like the National Agencies, religious sector, civil society organizations and private companies for the relief operations and rehabilitation of the capital town of Aklan. /MP
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