From the Ashes We Rise: A Heartfelt Message from Flowers and Greens
What seemed to be an ordinary Sunday turned out to be unforgettable- even nightmarish for some.
On January 12, Taal volcano sent out a blast of thick ash cloud spreading as far as Metro Manila and other northern provinces. Volcanic related activities like earthquakes, however, has yet to cease and continue to fret Batangueños even after a full week.
Today, 11 towns around the main crater are in total lockdown, 26,000 families are displaced and estimated 53,000 families are being affected by this calamity. Thousands of families were evacuated in Lipa, Bauan, Tanauan, Sto. Tomas, IBaan, San Juan and other cities.
photo by GMA Network
Volunteers hand out aid donations to families affected by the eruption of the Taal volcano, in Buso Buso on January 20, 2020. – Decimated fish, scarred coffee plants and vanished tourists: the Taal volcano eruption in the Philippines has inflicted significant damage on the livelihoods of tens of thousands and is expected to cause more. (Photo by ED JONES / AFP)
Although it has become a tragic mark in the history of the province, conversely, it shows us perhaps one of the most beautiful things we could see in the midst of disaster- one helping another. The spirit of bayanihan has never been too plain in our eyes until now when the queue in evacuation centers consists not just of the evacuees but of locals, private organizations, and even families from far cities coming to give donations right from the very first day. While the world is watching out for the imminent hazardous eruption of Taal volcano, as the warning points out, Batangueños are either out in the streets offering free car wash, food, water, and all services you could think of to help the evacuees, or they are online organizing donation drives.
Photos by ABS-CBN
It is much heart-warming for us to witness this first-hand and become part of it with our humble contribution. Nothing could compare to this pagsasama- sama in dire times. We have immense sympathy for those affected by the eruption and we sincerely hope with all our hearts that the calamity won’t take any more lives, as it already took much time we could have had fun celebrating with our family members. Flowers and Greens is with the entire Batangan community in this. As we also give space for healing, prioritizing families and being alert on the possible terrifying eruption of the Taal volcano, our shop is still open to those who wish to celebrate in simple ways.
It is a difficult time and we advice everyone to be vigilant and keep safe. For now, we say as Flowers and Greens is part of the brave Batangueño community, from the ashes, we will rise!
thumbnail photo by pna.gov.ph
