Naga and the youth

Last September 20, 2018, a massive landslide happened in Barangay Tinaan, Naga City, which resulted to dozens of casualties. What used to be a living community turned into a graveyard in less than a minute as the earth swallowed their homes. As the incident became a headline, people were also taking actions – these are sending donations and relief operations.

Governmental and non-governmental organizations, youths and various student organizations from different Institutions immediately took the initiative to help in different forms – through financial and goods collections. A certain Beauty Clinic in Cebu for example, donated their 10% income for two days to Naga victims as their effort in helping which is overwhelming.

The spirit of “bayanihan” and “malasakit” has been tested and were proven that it is still present despite of diversity. The culture was still alive as fellow Cebuano’s showed their concerns to their fellows. Youths volunteered to repack different goods, as well as rendering their time to these children who have had their traumatic experiences.

In most establishment and institutions, boxes were also placed in which it is visible for passersby where people can drop their donations. In challenging times like the Naga City landslide, it is where the youths especially the millennials were challenged. It is where how they were tested to respond to the call of their fellow youth and on how they would engage and reach out.

As millennials were seen as too much attached to social media and gadgets, it was also proven on how they used it as an advantage in reaching out in order to produce something. Because of the incident, there were pages and even posters informing and calling their fellows to donate and to volunteer and that was something worth appreciating.

The landslide has been the living proof that the Cebuanos have always been united. The situation allows us to reflect on our actions as well as in our lives and to always be thankful for what we have.

It was proven that being a leader is innate in us and we always have something to contribute. In times wherein our inner selves were tested, it allows us to always dream big by starting small and by doing things with so much love and compassion.

As there were only limited resources available, what has been overwhelming was the spirit of sharing.

As Mother Teresa said: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

Robert John D. Medida Destinee A. Noor

A.B. International Studies students