ILIGAN CITY — Despite the great tragedy that befell them, thousands of victims of tropical storm “Sendong” will still celebrate Christmas Day today in their respective evacuation centers, reconstructed houses, makeshift huts and tents in the various village communities in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.

The unity, cooperation and gift-giving extended by all sectors and various groups, including those from the entertainment industry made the spirit of Christmas felt in various evacuation centers despite the hardships and agony the victims suffered during the calamity — the first-ever catastrophe that struck Northern Mindanao.

Accounts from different disaster councils, local government units and other concerned government agencies disclosed that 7,431 families from Iligan City were directly and severely hit out of the 16,000 families affected while 5,679 families were also most adversely hit from the 15,000 affected families in Cagayan de Oro City. Iligan City was swamped by flash floods triggered by the heavy downpour last Friday night wherein 50mm of rain per hour was recorded.

In total, “Sendong” affected 21 municipalities, 78 barangays and 14,089 families (63,779 persons), with 245 injured and 807 reported missing. 3,422 houses were totally or partially damaged. There are still 69,287 persons housed in evacuation centers.

“We cannot imagine how these families will celebrate their Christmas now,” said a missionary sister who distributed Christmas gifts to four different evacuation centers here.

Worst are the surviving residents of 3,422 houses that were destroyed by the catastrophe here.

Despite losing their loved ones during the tragic incident, they bravely and strongly stood still as they build makeshift huts and imagining what to partake in their makeshift table on Christmas Day.

“Sakit kayo and nahitabo apan wala akoy mahimo kundi ipadayon ang kinabuhi” (It was a very tragic incident but we have to move on),” said Norman, 45, whose two children were among those listed as missing when the huge flood and mudflow struck Barangay Upper Hinaplanon here, one of the most devastated barangays in Iligan City last Saturday.

“Noche Buena” packs comprising of noodles, rice, small ham, canned goods and other goods were distributed to “Sendong” victims for their Christmas celebration.

“Dili matukib ang ako kago-ol, kinsa man pud ang ganahan maglipay-lipay nga nawad-an ka ug anak” (I can’t imagine merry-making just thinking of my lost child),” said a teary-eyed 32-year-old Linda whose three-year-old boy was still missing as of this posting.

In the ravaged areas, volunteers could not imagine how these victims could celebrate Christmas with only noodles to eat.

“We must move on despite the incident,” said a male 47-year-old public high school teacher here who requested anonymity. His house was washed away by the flash flood.

“We’re trying to make both Christian and Muslims happy by bringing them foods, medicines, water and other relief goods for them to also celebrate Christmas Day,” said Lanao del Norte Gov. Homahad Khalid Q. Dimaporo brought along with him volunteer groups and social and health workers from the provincial government to assist Iligan City in the massive relief operations to typhoon victims.

Aside from donated relief goods from various local government units and all sectors of the society in the country, the prisoners from New Bilibid Prisons in Cagayan de Oro also gave sacks of relief goods to the storm victims.

Meanwhile, troopers from the Army’s 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division (4th ID) brought along with them food and other relief goods to storm victims.

“These gift-giving during Christmas Day and relief and rehabilitation efforts of 4th ID are aimed to help bring back normalcy of the situation in the city,” said 4th ID chief Maj. Gen. Victor Felix.

A total of 306 organic “Diamond” troopers are involved in gift-giving and various relief and rehabilitation activities in Cagayan de Oro.

Officials and staff of the Manila Bulletin also turned over the publishing company’s donation for the victims to the Iligan City government.

Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative General Manager Architect Horacio Santos and his staff also came to give Christmas gift and relief assistance to storm victims in Cagayan de Oro.

“We’re very happy that everybody is extending their big heart to storm victims like us,” said 83-year-old Paterno Zate. He and his wife Caridad, also 83 years old, together with their son, daughter and a granddaughter managed to stay alive after their house was uprooted by strong winds and swept several kilometers away to El Salvador town from Barangay Balulang in Cagayan de Oro City.

A miracle also happened when their uprooted house landed just nearby their co-Jehovah’s Witnesses believers’ house where assistance was immediately extended to them. “Our deepest thanks to Almighty God Jehovah through his loving Son and King Jesus Christ for saving us,” recalled a tear-eyed Paterno.

Meanwhile, the 52nd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon sent their engineering equipment to help remove the debris all throughout the city.

The Army Engineers also cleared the roads that were blocked caused by the disaster.

AFP trainees in Malaybalay, Bukidnon also came to help in the packing and distribution of relief goods to the storm victims. Some 200 candidate soldiers are also being utilized for the clean-up drive in the city.

In Iligan City, at least 1,600 flood victims each received three kilos of rice, sardines and noodles as part of the relief goods distributed by Lanao del Norte LGU through its Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

“This is by far the most devastating flood the city has ever seen. Nothing comes close to the destruction left by “Sendong,” Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz said.

“Iligan City has been a dependable ally especially during the August 18, 2008 incident when Iligan took in our evacuees from the towns of Linamon and Kauswagan,” explained Lanao del Norte Action and Information Officer Lyndon Calica.