When Super Typhoon Pepito (Manyi) made landfall in Dinalungan, Aurora, its impact was immediate and overwhelming. Josabel , 26, recalled the terrifying experience that struck fear into her family, especially to her children.
"It was so dark, you couldn't see anything ahead of you. The rain and wind were so strong, and there was even a tornado," she said.
Josabel and her family sought refuge in her father's house, fearing for their safety in their makeshift home, which seemed too fragile to withstand the storm. "We were extremely scared because Pepito was so strong," she added.
As the wind howled and the rain battered their surroundings, they clung to the hope that they would be safe. But once the storm finally subsided, they were confronted with the devastating reality that the true damage had only just begun.
Super Typhoon Impact
Aurora, a province located northeast of Manila, is often a primary entry point for typhoons in the Philippines and has frequently been affected by severe weather conditions.
Its position along the Pacific Ocean makes it particularly vulnerable to the impact of these natural disasters.
Aside from Josabel, Mary Ann , 50, a resident of Dinalungan, said that the super typhoon also left them in shock.
SOMETHING NEW. Mary Ann said the strength of Super Typhoon Pepito was something she had never witnessed before. Jet Ines/Save the Children
"We were all really scared because it's been a long time since we experienced a typhoon this strong. Everyone evacuated because the winds were so intense, and there were also strong waves," Mary Ann said.
In addition to being a coastal community, Dinalungan is a home to a thriving coconut farming industry, which was severely damaged when Super Typhoon Pepito made landfall.
"Oh, it's all gone. The trees are bare now, and even the coconuts fell," another resident, Joey, 48, said.
He explained that the typhoon destroyed everything, the powerful winds and heavy rainfall uprooted trees, and even the coconuts they had already gathered were scattered everywhere, which was why the impact on their community was so severe.
Community Rebuilding
With homes, businesses, and key livelihoods like coconut farming severely damaged, the community, including its youngest members, is beginning the lengthy process of recovery.
To help them recover, Save the Children provided P10,000 in livelihood assistance to 203 households. Many used the support to rebuild their income in ways that best meet their needs, ensuring they could continue providing for their children.
ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD. Josabel poses with her ambulant vegetable store, which she started with the cash assistance from Save the Children Philippines. This new business allows her to provide for her family after the devastation of Super Typhoon Pepito. Jet Ines/Save the Children
With the cash assistance she received, Josabel started a mobile vegetable business, selling in nearby barangays. This became her new livelihood after her coconut farming, which was her main source of income, was severely impacted by the typhoon.
She mentioned that, with the earnings, they are now able to give their children their allowance and purchase things they need.
“Because of what we earn now, we’re not just able to give our children their daily allowance, we can also buy what they need for school and everyday life. Things feel a little lighter now,” she said.
Other recipients began raising carabaos, pigs, and goats, while others started rice stores and invested in fertilizers to help their rice crops.
For Joey, the cash assistance was used to open a sari-sari (neighborhood sundry) store, a dream that he and his wife had always hoped for.
“When we received the cash assistance, my wife said, ‘Thank you, because it feels like God heard my prayer for us to have a small store’,” Joey said.
A HEARD PRAYER. Joey poses with his only daughter at their new sari-sari store, which he built using the cash assistance he received from Save the Children. Photo by Jet Ines/Save the Children
Joey also mentioned that the impact has been significant, as the store provides a steady source of income for them.
"Every time we make a sale, it helps us meet our daily needs. We also take good care of the store so that when our child grows up, we’ll have something to support her needs," he added.
For Mary Ann, the cash assistance was a crucial step toward their recovery. They used it to repair their boat, which was damaged by the typhoon.
REBUILDING. Mary Ann fixes her boat, which she acquired through the cash assistance for livelihood provided by Save the Children to support her recovery after Super Typhoon Pepito. Photo by Jet Ines/Save the Children
“After Pepito, we were left with nothing because the coconut trees were destroyed, and the sea was also affected...When Save the Children came, we were able to use the assistance for fishing and for our other needs. We were able to buy what we needed [in repairing our boat],” she said.
In selling vegetables, Mary Ann shared that they have managed to get back on their feet, and the assistance they received was more than just support—it was a lifeline.
"Despite everything, we’ve managed to recover, even just a little, because we were able to buy the things we needed for our daily lives, especially that now they are in school and in need of their allowance," she said.