Nanay (Mother) Bernardita is an 81-year-old older woman who is living alone in her old home in Libjo, Dinagat Islands. She is one of the 500 beneficiaries (Older Persons, and Persons with Disabilities Head of Family) of the COSE’s Cash Assistance Program to Older Persons Affected by Typhoon Rai (Odette) in Libjo, Dinagat Islands who were affected by Typhoon Odette that devastated the island in December 2021.
During Typhoon Odette, she was alone in her old hous
e, taking refuge in one corner, and praying for God’s protection. As most older persons in Libjo narrated, “It was good that the typhoon happened during daytime. If it happens at night, there will be more damages.”
After the wrath of Typhoon Odette, her house roofs were all gone, blown away by strong winds. Her house walls made of old woods were scattered. Her clothes were all soaking wet. What’s left were some old posts, some old corrugated iron sheets, and old household items. What remains and is still intact is Nanay Bernardita’s faith in God.
“I am used to the impacts of typhoons. I have witnessed many typhoons in my life and so I am no longer afraid. I have my God. He protects me.”
Despite Nanay Bernardita’s age, she is still capable of doing simple household chores and taking care of her own daily needs like cooking, washing clothes, and buying what she needs in nearby sari-sari stores. During the daytime, you could see Nanay Bernardita walking slowly, using her wooden cane to fetch small gallons of water in the community poso (hand water pump) around 10 meters away from her old house.
For someone who is not used to seeing Nanay Bernardita, her life seems like a daily struggle. Difficult. Forsaken. Yet, for Nanay Bernardita, it’s quite the opposite. She is a cheerful older woman who has a positive disposition in life amidst all the life challenges she experienced. She is living contentedly in her small and old house, notwithstanding the impact of Typhoon Odette in her life and their community. She is a strong older woman with a strong faith in God.
“I thanked God every day because I am still alive. I thanked God because this community is good to me. My neighbor helped me build a temporary shelter using tents, old corrugated iron sheets, and other recycled materials. I am lucky, I still have a home even after Odette.”
With the P4,000 cash assistance she received, Nanay Bernardita shared that she “would buy some clothes, food, and laundry soaps. I will keep the rest so that I have a budget for my daily needs in the coming months. Thank you for this blessing.”
While Nanay Bernardita said that she’s used to living alone, sometimes “I felt empty and sad because I have no one to talk to when I am at home.”
Nanay Bernardita smiles heartily, she has a good sense of humor, and giggles easily over some corny jokes. However, one could easily tell that behind the happy and genuine smile, Nanay Bernardita is longing for his son’s presence. With teary-eyed, she shared it would be great and she would love it dearly if her son will come back home soon.
“It’s been more or less eight years since my son left the island. The last time I heard, he is in Surigao, but I no longer have updates on him. I’m already old. Physically, I am no longer capable of searching and looking for him. If my son still loves me and cares for me, he will look for me and come back home here.”
Aside from seeing his son, Nanay Bernardita’s wish is to “have a long and healthy life and that God will continue to protect me and keep me safe at all times.”