I bet I am not alone in writing about this topic. Mine might not be the first item to be up when Google-d, but somehow I felt so privileged to have something to share, like a journalist who got some “scoop”. Hey, I am part of history! (and I was almost made history..:D)
It was already 3PM when our company declared a work suspension, and from the floor where my department is located, we saw the floods ravaging infront of our compound, and all the people who are walking their way home. Clearly, there was no public transportation as of the moment, and what was left is to decide between staying in the office hoping that by some miracle the heavy rains would stop and the city floods will drain in no time; or go along with the marathon walking of most people outside, braving the rains and the floods just to come home before the night falls. We chose the latter, and in no time the 4 of us started to trudge along the flooded streets of Bagbaguin, Valenzuela.
The plan was laid : we will walk towards AKC, where we will have to catch a tricycle going to Punturin. We got a news that if we will walk instead going to Malinta Exit, we will have to face a deeper flood, so we decided to take the other way. One was from Malanday so from Punturin, he can catch a jeep going to Meycauyan, then going to Malanday. The other one will have to go to Bangkal, Meycauyan, same route. While the 2 of us were fortunately residing in Punturin. In no time, we started to walk our way to AKC, which is some sort of 20minutes away still from our office.
For starters, we trudged the knee-deep streets. It was not much of a tiring feat because we are 4 in the group. Although midway, my companion and I had some sort of resentment that we should have stayed instead and also had some of the free merienda in the canteen prepared for those employees who have to stay because they have no means of going home yet. Already tired, wet, and cold, we just took the time to have some good laughs instead, and even joked that some media men might be taking a video footage of our journey so we must not give up.
After quite a lot of questions to one of our companions who happens to lead us the way whether we are near yet to AKC, we saw the tricycles we have goaled to. We had some relief as the tricycle started his way on bringing us to Lawang Bato (although we asked the driver if he could bring us straight to Punturin instead, he told us that he can’t pass through because of floods near the area). We assumed that the trip will be uneventful now, and in no time, we will be in the comforts of our home.
In 15minutes or so, we weren’t able to push Mamang Trike driver to bring us straight to Punturin so we went down instead in Lawang Bato, just a mere another 15minutes tricycle journey where we are heading. We started to walk and unfortunately we can’t catch another tricycle to take us, and instead hearing them over and over, “Baha po kasi, hanggang bewang ang tubig, hindi kakayanin.”. And in no time, right before our eyes, we saw what they were talking about.
Right at the middle of the road, which is actually a bridge over a creek, are ravaging floods with unmistakeably heavy current, which is also waist deep (as measured against a man crossing who is somewhat 5’6 in height). We see people braving to cross being helped by 3 big men who stationed themselves in the middle to act as posts to keep people from being carried away by the flood. Our companions and I talked for a while as to whether we can cross or not. One lady even told us, “Di niyo kakayanin, masyadong malakas ang agos.”. We told each other that we already went through a lot for us to reach this, and we can’t afford to back out now, or else, our efforts will be gone futile. We decided to brave the depths, and my companion, who happens to be a big guy, told me to hold on to him as we cross the water so that I may not be carried away. I removed all my engagement ring and bracelet and put it in safe keeping inside my bag, afraid that it might fall on tha water. And we launched.
My other 2 female companions went on first. They were being guided and held by the 3 men previously mentioned. From where I am standing I already feel the heavy current which made my legs shaky. When it was our time to be led across, I hold on tightly to my companion. But one of the men told me that we might not make it together because the current is so great, so he went on first. When it was my turn, I could feel the current becomes greater and my legs can’t keep up with the pressure, yet with all my might went on to continue to “walk”. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge concrete block showed up and hit my legs which made me lost my balance and fell on water. I was like a pin being hit by a bowling ball. I lost control on my feet and worse, the concrete block was “pushing” me because it got stuck for I was blocking its way. I hear screams of people behind me as I hurdled on the strong current. Thank God one of the men who were leading me got a good grip of my arms, thus stopped me from being carried along with the concrete block towards the other part of the creek. I remember even telling the two men who are holding me to just let go because I can’t stand on my feet anymore who is aching because of the impact of the concrete block. I even heard one say, “Kaya mo yan, hawak kita.”. I saw myself being passed on by three men until I’ve reached the other side of the road.
I can’t explain what I am feeling then when we resumed walking for we still can’t catch a tricycle. My companions kept on asking me if I’m ok, and what happened to me. I told them of the concrete block, and how my legs were hurting at that moment. My companion said he got so scared for me from the way I look back then, and I just told them I’m ok asides my aching legs. I still managed to laugh at it and even joked not to tell anybody on Monday about what happened to me, because the people might not respect me anymore because of the way I almost drowned in the floods. Although still shaky, we contined to walk for another 20minutes or so until we finally reached, my hometown, Punturin. I left them when we reached the terminal for they need to ride another jeep while I just need to walk a little further towards our home. In another 10minutes, soaking and cold, I finally arrived home.
Today as I write,it is now that I’ve felt what horror it was to have experienced such. I can’t imagine myself being carried away and to where will I be heading, may be in Manila Bay or what, I don’t know. At the instant I’ve felt how blessed I am to have given the privilege to survive and narrate what happened.
I haven’t had sudden super major realizations now, like the ones other people are having when they went through a near-death experience. All that was left of me was so much gratefulness to the Lord for always guiding my life, even on floods or under sunshine. Nobody knows how long he/she will live, and nobody can’t tell where is the safest place to walk on, or the safest time to start the walk. What the experience just made me realize is that I have still my purpose, and there is a whole new life I can look forward to. It made me assured that Pain and danger is inevitable but the Lord’s grace is enough to conquer. This might be a deeper realization of the whole thing but as for me, I am better of with knowing a greater significance on what is happening in my life. It isn’t just a gentle reminder of “Oh, magbago ka na..”; but a matter of knowing in your heart that you know where you are going after what happened. True enough, I might have reached Manila Bay if I weren’t saved, but worse is I am hell-bound because I weren’t saved by Jesus (another topic..:)).
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