Typhoon frank stirred the community of Kiamba, Saranggani Province in May of 2008. How could I ever forgot that incident? It was when our relatives from Kiamba came here in Davao for our yearly family reunion. We never got a hint that after all those laughter, fun, and excitement spent each day during the reunion, Frank have started to swirl and had its way towards the town.
Early morning after the 2-day family reunion held at Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City on May 09, 2008, our relatives started to pack their things up. They were scheduled to head back to their hometown – Kiamba: Landing, Maitum, Tuca, Lebe, Bless, Matingaw, and other barangays. It was a fine morning Sunday morning. We made sure that all of them have eaten before leaving Davao. Then each said his or her piece of bye-byes, thank you’s, and see you next year.
I counted them; they were 60++ not counting kids..and they all fit inside a passenger jeep! Whoah! Said, they’ll be fine and they’re used to it. Then the jeepney’s engine started….and that was it… waving.. bye! bye! and a lot more fading byes!
They haven’t gone so far I guess when water droplets from the sky started to fall. “TskTsk! Poor people they’ll surely get themselves soaked” I thought to myself. True enough, the droplets began to pour as heavy rains.
Six or so hours later, I got call from one them telling me that they all got safe in Kiamba, but they seem to experience some bad weather. I never really mind about the bad weather mentioned.. of course we all do experience it. What I didn’t know was that.. it was really, really a bad weather..a typhoon in fact it was..and that was Frank!
Typhoon Frank Hit Kiamba 2008
It was horrible! The call I received was indeed that last call I ever got from them. We began to worry here. Then few days after, we all got shocked upon watching the ABS CBN TV news. “typhoon Frank flooded the community of Kiamba. Many houses were wiped out, and many families were left with no home.” It was a heartbreaking news. More when we found out that among those families mentioned were in fact our relatives who shared laughter with us…and then… in one cruel attack of Frank.. those laughter turned into tears.. heartaches…
A year after Frank’s damaging visit to Kiamba, we from Davao had our turn of visiting them last May 8, 2009 for our annual reunion held at Lebe, Kiamba, Saranggani Province. I couldn’t appreciate much any remnants of Frank. All I saw was the beauty of nature, and the rising of Kiamba. The first time I went to that beautiful town was in 1996, when my eldest son had just turned 1 year old. My experience was fabulous; I can’t help to admire the place. The beach was great, and so the foods were!
Our reunion was held at the private resort and fish pond of my Auntie Rosie Belmonte and her husband Uncle Sonny. It was one of the most unforgettable experience. The place was great, the foods were too, and of course the hospitality of Auntie Rosie was incomparable! When we get to the venue, almost all were already there. I saw a lot of familiar faces and some new ones. Some I met before, but just wasn’t sure of the name. I often tell them to forgive me if I tend to forget their names or tend to know not them at all. Perhaps it’s the effect of painless delivery.. or simply let’s put it as amnesia (good excuse ba?) I greeted each and pretend I knew all of them, but deep inside, I was digging my brain at least to recall or have at least a hint. It really got me a terrible headache. Yet I know..they are all our relatives, just so hard to recall everyone.
As I’ve said, when we got to the venue, almost all were there and seem to have been waiting for someone to arrive. I didn’t knew it was me they’re waiting! For an instant, I felt embarrassed and a little guilt. I supposed not to join because of my commitments for my job. Well, God was great..I was able to come! So, I gathered them and officially opened the reunion by welcoming each family coming from various places. We had our opening prayer, then had our greetings or “paghimamatay” with each other. Glad too I brought some goodies for the kids. We had fun, games, and prizes! It was a short, but fun-filled experience.
In the evening, Auntie Rosie prepared us a place to sleep in their rest house, but I opted to sleep along the shore. I got the mat she prepared, some pillows, mattress, and blankets, then paved my way towards the beach line. I placed the mat on the sand along the shore, then the foam mattress topped with a blanket. There I placed my youngest son Giono where he slept calmly. When he woke up, “Oh, I thought we’re in our room!” he said. It was the first time that we slept on the shore and I’d say.. it was one of the best sleeps I ever had.
In the morning, we started to explore the town and what it can offer us. We bade good bye to Auntie Rosie and Uncle Sonny, thanking them for their hospitality.. I sure do hope that it won’t be the last time we visit their place. I firmly recommend it to our relatives especially if you’re looking for some place solemn, calm, and fresh! They got some great fishes to catch in their pond as well. Oh not to forget the crabs… So, we moved towards Landing, where we were invited too by our relatives in that place. When we got there, they were just preparing the food, so we went to Nalus Falls first. The water was great! My son Nikko dived in and so did Yana, my daughter. It was the first time I ever got to a falls..(as old as I am haha!) It was fun! They said there were still a lot of falls to visit, but we ran out of time. Next time, I will make it a point to visit all of them and experience them.
We head back to Landing and dine with our relatives there. Once we had our stomach filled up, we started heading our way back to Davao.
I had a great time at Kiamba, and I am looking forward to our next reunion.. May 2010! Guess what, we voted to have it again in Kiamba. (Not much of a bias decision noh!) So hopefully, it would be an exciting event again next year. Auntie Rosie will host the reunion again and I know she will be more than happy to see more faces of our relatives to attend.
By the way, the reunion is for ARQUINO, CATAYOC, CABILING, & CUSTORIO families, clans, and bloodlines. If you happen to have this lastname with you..you are most welcome to join and …. LET’S VOLT IN!
“Sa unang panahon padidit sa bakilid ra man among nahibaw-an sakay sa langkay sa lubi. pero karon made in Ilo-ilo az en hi-tech short for high-tikal.
