The ground breaks into fresh wounds as he starts to plow through the field. Rudy Molejon braves the sweltering heat to prepare his small farm for the next planting season, while his wife Gigi is in the thick of preparing the meals for their visiting grandkids at their modest home.
Three years ago, the Molejon family was among hundreds of households in Bancasan, San Remigio who received the brunt of the fury of Typhoon Yolanda sweeping off their corn produce and left them almost homeless.
With the help of their Iglesia ni Kristo community, their local government and everyone who pooled in resources, they were able to start over again and rebuild their lives.
Their town mayor, Hon. Mariano Martinez, speaks highly of his people who were unfazed by the Yolanda aftermath.
“The people of San Remigio are generally poor and content with their lives, and we are resilient to hardships,” he said.
The Molejon family began their long trek back to rehabilitation. Their son, Arriel, 23, helped them build their new house. Arriel was the third child among five children and the only one who finished a course after high school.
Arriel at the foyer area of SSI
“Nalipay kaayo mi nga nakahuman siya ug nakatabang namo ug sa iyang mga igsoon (We were happy that he was able to finish his studies and help his siblings),” says Mrs. Gigi.
Arriel is a graduate of Information Technology in 2013 under a scholarship grant from Aboitiz Foundation. He now works as data processor at SSI Opiniology. Also, he is on his way to start his own family.
“Siya may nagpatukod aning ba-o namong balay (Arriel was responsible for building this new house for us),” his father Rudy proudly says as he motions to a nearly-completed house beside their old home.
Both Rudy and Gigi know the scale of the task ahead. Like a farmer waiting for the next harvest, the couple is optimistic that one day they will be able to rise to the occasion and with Arriel’s help, eventually reap a bountiful yield. ♦