History Professors and Students Suffer the Devastation of Habagat

The non-stop occurrence of rain in Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces in five days drenched and flooded the low-lying areas and the banks of rivers.

Even when there was no typhoon as PAGASA and GMA7 Weather Central have reported, precipitation became thick.  And even when the Southwest Monsoon did not match the 2009 Typhoon Ondoy in terms of average rainfall, it still was in terms of devastation due to the continuous incidence of strong rain in several days.

Due to clogged drainage systems and some defective pumping stations, the floodwater was not instantly drained towards Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay, thereby causing the tide to maintain its level or to increase especially in the flood-prone areas.

The floodwater swamped many places in the capital city and other areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) like Quezon City, Marikina, and the CAMANAVA area.

An aerial view of Marikina River at the height of Habagat's devastation

History Students Affected

The Marikina River is the most monitored river in the NCR because of its debilitating effects among the people and the local economy during rainy season.

The tide of the river increased to more than 20 meters and many of the residents who did not evacuate, particularly those near the river, moved to the third floor or the roof of their houses.

In one of the text messages that he sent to Prof. Rhodora Agustin during the deluge, Axle Christien Tugano of BA History 2-1 said "inaabot po ng baha ang aming second floor hanggang baywang.  Ref (refrigerator) namin ang ginawang bangka para makapunta sa rooftop. Okay naman po kami, pati sina Mayfer [Baliber]."  

The text message was subsequently relayed by Prof. Agustin to her colleagues who were anxious to know about Axle Tugano’s situation, considering that he lives near the Marikina River.

In a phone conversation, Axle Tugano told Prof. Pascual that he and his younger brother went to Parang, Marikina, a safer ground for both of them where he could re-charge his mobile phone. He added, "babalik po ako sa bahay namin pag humupa na po ang baha para tulungan si daddy sa paglilinis."

When asked about Mayfer Baliber, he said that she was okay.  Mayfer Baliber is a classmate in PUP who lives a block away from his residence.

Meantime, another BA History student was forced to evacuate. Jordan Matuguinas, ex-officio member of PUPSMK's Executive Committee, reported that Clarissa Maano of BA History 3-1 and her family were forced to move to an evacuation site because of the increased tide of the inundation.

In an earlier news posted in this site, it was mentioned that Gerwill Cruz, Michael Joe Agtarap, Raniel Mapili and Jefferson Mendez failed to go home for a couple of days because of the torrential rain that caused devastating floods in Metro Manila.

Below, Upper Photo: Prof. Anna Rose Hull and Prof. Rhodora 

Bayanihan sa Kasaysayan                         Agustin; Lower Photo: Axle Christien Tugano and Jasper Gambito 

Because of the wide-ranging effects of the deluge, Prof. Anna Rose Hull of the PUP Department of History and Jordan Matuguinas, immediate past president of PUPSMK and now ex-officio member, called for assistance from BA History students to possibly donate canned goods, noodles, clothes, disinfectant, rice, and medicines, among others.
 

The call for donation was concurred by Ryan Tan, the incumbent president of PUPSMK, claiming that the goods will be given to the victims of Habagat.

On the other hand, Jasper Gambito of BA History 3-1, decided to voluntarily extend help to the flood victims.  Being a Red Cross volunteer himself, he went to Red Cross Muntinlupa Branch to help the team in repacking relief goods for the victims.

In Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City which also experienced deep waters, Ericson Dublas of BA History 2-1 extended assistance to the parish of their barangay in taking care of the evacuees.

Great Concern to BA History Students

Professor Rhodora Agustin, whose house in San Mateo was also flooded, kept on asking about the situation of her colleagues and students.  Together with Jordan Matuguinas, Prof. Pascual and Prof. Hull constantly monitored the situation of their students and the possible suspension of classes in PUP.

Through their mobile phones and Facebook, Prof. Pascual and Prof. Hull informed immediately the situation of their students and the suspension of classes in the University and the whole of NCR to other students who were also waiting for updates. (with reports from Prof. Rhodora Agustin and Jordan Matuguinas)