Archive for category: Operation Blessing

Are you ready for the year 2020 to be done?  After all that has happened – from the threat of volcanic eruption to a deadly pandemic, the aftermath of the back-to-back typhoons to the loss of your livelihood even loved ones – you might have muttered, “Can this year end already?”  Is it possible to be thankful to God in the midst of all the troubles and challenges you face? Indeed, it is.  The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ […]

“I feel so hopeless whenever I remember what happened,” lamented Victor dela Cruz, a 50-year-old resident of Amulung in Cagayan Valley. He could not help but become emotional every time he recalls the tragedy they experienced when Typhoon Ulysses lashed some parts of Luzon and caused major damage in the Cagayan region. When the waters flooded their whole barangay, all their livestock – including a carabao and a cattle – drowned because they had to ensure the safety of their […]

Aetas. Lumad. Mangyan. Dumagat. Matigsalug. Have you heard any of these Indigenous Peoples groups before? What comes to your mind when you hear about them? You would surely agree that indigenous communities are rich in traditions and culture. When it comes to livelihood, nature is their friend as they are talented in fishing and agriculture. More than the vibrant-colored garments and tribal patterns, they take pride on their solid sets of beliefs, innate resiliency, and the ability to thrive on their own without having to conform […]

The massive flood brought by the recent typhoons have turned hectares of rice fields into lakes. Because of this, farmers like Ignacio Victoria cannot help but to look over the flooded fields and lament over their huge loss. It is hard for him to absorb that their main source of livelihood is now submerged in flood waters, and they are not able to salvage any of it. “I […]

Houses fully submerged in flood waters. Families drenched on their rooftops. Vulnerable individuals pleading for help and rescue. Have you seen these tragic images that circulated online in recent days during and after Typhoon Ulysses? Perhaps, you have also experienced some of these overwhelming scenarios, too. Still reeling from Typhoon Quinta and Typhoon Rolly’s impact, our kababayans were caught flat-footed when Typhoon Ulysses lashed Luzon last weekend. Typhoon Ulysses did not just trigger massive flooding – it also displaced thousands of families, claimed […]

Braving the chilly cold winds, raging flood, and heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, the Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines team, is now prepositioned in Albay to conduct nonstop relief efforts.  The Operation Blessing’s disaster response team, together with faithful church partners and selfless volunteers, are now on standby – ready to deliver much-needed food and non-food items to more than 500 displaced families in Camalig, Polangui, and Libon.  You too, can bring aid […]

When Typhoon Rolly first made its landfall in the Philippines, the next scenes became devastating. Dubbed as the “strongest storm in the world this year” by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), typhoon Rolly – with international name Goni – packed catastrophic wind speeds of 225 kilometers per hour and smashed into Catanduanes in the Bicol Region last Sunday. The typhoon’s impact was very much felt in Bicol – bending lamp posts, causing power outages, submerging towns in […]

“I feel guilty whenever I cannot do anything. There were times when I told myself that I am really tired, to the point of wanting to commit suicide.” Years ago, Nilo Camosa saw no future ahead of him. No matter how hard he tried to continue his schooling, it seemed impossible. The 19-year-old student in Malalag, Davao del Sur has already accepted his fate; he had no plans of enrolling to college. […]

“Our condition got worse because of COVID-19.” This is how Mila Dollente, diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, described what happened to her during the pandemic. Mila’s journey has been filled with rather grueling obstacles. While Mila bravely faces her own battle, her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Both had to stop working due to their serious conditions – making it hard for the family to make ends meet. Their eldest, […]

“We are very worried and sad because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” uttered Jedidiah, a young member of the Dumagat tribe residing in Tanay, Rizal. Through her innocent eyes, the current pandemic brings nothing but hunger, sadness, fear, and uncertainty.  Their schooling was heavily affected by the lockdown, leaving their family worried about her education. In addition to the burden they experience, Jedidiah’s father – who works as a jeepney driver – lost his job. Her mother Eufemia even recalled that […]

Millions of students across the country are now navigating the new normal way of learning. However, the pandemic does not affect every student equally. While some students can learn at the comfort of their homes, there are thousands of underprivileged students who do not have access to resources needed to continue their education. Their families are already struggling to put food on their table every day, let alone purchase a gadget for […]

With months away from flipping the 2020 calendar, the battle against the pandemic is far from over. Healthcare workers still struggle with a shortage of protective equipment. More and more kababayans face unemployment as the economy dips. And, low-income families continue to wonder where to get their next meal. No doubt, the current crisis takes a heavy toll on every […]

Indigenous communities are already experiencing hunger and poor access to healthcare and other essential services even before the COVID-19 outbreak happened. In fact, the United Nations reports that indigenous people are nearly 3 times as likely to be living in extreme poverty as their non-indigenous counterparts. The current pandemic made their condition much, much worse. The Dumagat Remontado tribe residing in Brgy. Lumutan, General Nakar, Quezon, was among those greatly affected. The virus poses graver health threat to their families while lockdowns in some parts of the country also prevent […]

You’ve probably read it in your history books. Every August 31, on National Heroes’ Day, the country commemorates the “Cry of Pugad Lawin” that started the revolt against the Spanish rule and celebrates the heroes of the Philippine Revolution. At present, August 31 is not just celebrated for the same reason. National Heroes’ Day has become a day to also celebrate modern-day Filipino heroes. You may ask, “Who are these so-called modern-day heroes?” They can […]

Living in fear and uncertainty. With all that is happening around, some might agree that these two words could possibly summarize the first half of 2020. We’ve witnessed a volcano’s unrest, a deadly pandemic and economic crisis, bush fires, strong typhoons, and a recent bombing in a neighboring country. It’s no wonder why some people are swept up with feelings of hopelessness. Despite these, there are still people who tirelessly give their efforts to lighten the burden of […]