A Town They Call Malinao, Aklan: Typhoon Frank Chronicles

Typhoon Frank Chronicles

Note: last line of poem originally was 'in December' but I changed it to fit the present situation. I'm sure my father would not mind.
Help Malinao rise from the devastation of Typhoon Frank (Fengshen) to its former glory.

UPDATES!!!

More Pictures of the Flood, Aftermath and Relief Operations
First Picture of the Flood in Malinao
Uploaded July 5, 2008

Taken from our house (the mayor's house) on Sto. Rosario St. facing the plaza. You can see the cypress pine trees and the kiosko beyond the pine trees. Picture courtesy of the Mayor himself who took this with his cell phone. Unfortunately, he was only able to take one picture. But he is collecting pictures from other people who took pictures with their cell phones,
Here is a before the flood picture taken in January 0f 2006 from almost the same view point (courtesy of Ron Dorfman, a tourist who visited Malinao that year):

Here is a picture of the plaza taken in between the cypress trees in April 2008:

First Pictures of Malinao after Typhoon Frank!!

Sto. Rosario St. fronting Nay Acion's (Nong Lindy's) house a few days after the flood (same street as in the during the flood picture, only about two houses away to the west)- covered with dried mud
More pictures are here:

Thanks to Valpree Magallanes (Petite Yerro-Magallanes's husband) for posting these pictures in his multiply.com account and to Beverlyn Bastareche for pointing this out to me.

More Updates and Personal Stories

From:   jaymolo
Subject: Re: [malinao]3 Helicopters landed in Malinao? Ken Pls Update us
Date: June 29, 2008 9:54:24 AM CDT

Ken talk to Manang Elsa few hrs agi they were excited watching Three Helicopters 
landing in Malinao Elm school hours ago , this Sunday PM 06/29/08 please kindly  
update us of your knowledge.

For those who wants to facilitate/ aid better longer communication with ur love
ones Use Chikka. its cheaper for them. i also discovered i can send loads to their cell 
phones kahit na 1 dollars30 pesos (you can send more) load. it will last them 3 days.
to use cel phones through "isend" found in chikka pal acnt. it cost will you NOTHING 
its free to establish this CHIKKA acnt.. However if you need to buy acnt
in "isend" by establishing PAL to send load.
You can still send messages through chikka free. it is through your PC to their cellphones 
text messages and it will cost  them 2.50 pesos per messages while it free for you.
just a little help makes dif. to save pesos to spare expense which they can use for other 
necessities so Mag Chikka na. FYI i don;t have connection with this comp. to promote 
CHIKKA i am just giving you all info to help out our fam.  take care happy sunday everyone.

From:   lizalberto
Subject: RE: [malinao] More Malinao News
Date: June 29, 2008 10:51:41 AM CDT

Thank you for sharing more news, other websites and updates on Malinao and Aklan as a whole.

I was able to contact Baby Roselyn the other night for the first time but very briefly ay low 
bat eon ro anang cell phone. I was told that my brother in law - Junior Dugcal almost drowned 
trying to save the computer from the elementary school. The water was already neck deep ag 
masueog gid kuno.

My sister- Cecile and family were badly affected as their house was completely submerged. Puro 
eutay kuno ro andang baeay and until now sige kuno ro andang linaba sa suba. The same thing also 
for Tatay and Nanay's house. Tatay had to be evacuated to Baby's house as it's hard for them 
to take him up to the second floor of our house. The water was up to knee level at Baby's house 
and they already prepared by connecting a rope from their house to my parent's house should it 
have worsened. Tatay got sick in the aftermath and could not be taken to the hospital for reasons 
we already know. Our family was expecting the worst this past week but he regained consciousness 
a few days ago and was able to eat a little bit.

Maricel's daughter -Mayen, (Cecile's and Diday Flores' granddaughter was also bitten by a 
snake sa garage kuno nanday Baby. She was also taken to Mission Hospital for observation last 
week. They found out later on nga tikig gali rato and not poisonous.

MY cousin - Atty. Ariel Igoy and his wife's house in Kalibo ( Christine is the daughter of Nay 
Nene Ibarreta-Isberto and the granddaughter of Lolo Doroy and Lola Isa Ibarreta) was completely 
submerged also.. I heard conflicting reports that they fled to Banga but Nang Inday Villa said they 
took shelter at another neightbor's house.

It is indeed heartbreaking to hear about the sufferings and hardships that our families 
and kasimanwas have endured and are still going through right now. Yes, they suffered terrible 
losses but I am most grateful that our loved ones are safe.  I  also would like to take this 
opportunity to thank those who have helped my family in their hour of need.

 Lizette

From:   vladdiane
Subject: Re: [malinao] More Malinao News
Date: June 29, 2008 6:24:47 PM CDT

i phone my mama lita everyday and yesterday she confirmed that there is indeed electricity sa 
banwa..which i think will make their lives more easier now..

everybody's still busy trying to sort out their things and getting everything dried while the sun 
is out but very difficult daw ay sometimes "mabahaw" kuno ro silak..

goods have been given to those who are in need that came from the gov't and our loyal labandera, 
ng del from manhanip, got theirs..i was teasing my mom if she got hers too :)..

my sister in malaysia, baby carmela, went back home yesterday to offer my mom some support 
and assistance ie bringing them supplies and groceries and help my mom reinstate the house to it's 
normality but without having a scare herself..

10 mins before touchdown sa kalibo airport last saturday afternoon hay nag uean kuno it 
mabaskog ag zero visibility ro airport so nag u-turn ro cebu pacific ag bumalik sa manila airport 
where all passengers spent the night ag kanya-kanyang rebooking para eang makasakay sa earliest
flight next day..but it's ok now ay she finally reached malinao yesterday without anymore aberya..

because of the heavy rain, everything stopped again sa aklan, everybody stayed indoors ag nag
eutay eon man kuno sa kalibo ron ay owa pa guid nahimos it mayad idto..

sige kuno ro bulldoze it karsada sa kalibo to get rid of the mud..masyado kuno nga mabaho sa kalibo 
makaron ag in the middle of the cleaning up hay may nadi-discover nga patay nga tawo underneath 
all the mud..i dont know how many they have recovered pero they're expecting more..quite gruesome 
and kawawa din families nila..

back in malinao, my sister brought candles, flashlights, lots of batteries, car charger, battery 
operated charger ag basic goods and groceries..malisod kuno mag shopping makaron sa gaisano 
ay dahil submerged ro building up to second floor hay everything in chaos pa..you have to bring 
a list of what you need and the staff will find those for you..pero at least may chance ro 
pumoeuyo nga makabakae it supplies..

dahil back na yung electricity, medyo indi eon sanda kara mag suffer it mayad including children ay
mainit ag madangga kuno makaron idto..pero all electric fans were submerged sa house so scared 
sanda nga paandaron pa..they will try kuno to buy from gaisano kung may una pa nga ginabaligya...
so i said magkabkab eang kamo anay...o mag bikini eang makon kamo ay anyway, uso makon makaron 
don ay basa pa tanan inyo nga mga eambong :) :)

anyway, we can tease and joke now ay tapos na ag medyo nalampasan na nila ro trahedya..now we 
can plan ahead what we can do to help our families move forward and help as much as we could 
supporting them financially..i don't know about you people but i have immediate families there to 
help in malinao like my mom and my siblings and their families, my uncle and his family, my auntie 
in buswang and her family and also my in-laws..so i hope i am not being selfish by prioritising them 
first before the general public..

as it was mentioned here in the emails, malinao people are self sufficient and resourceful and 
they have the resources..so i think it is fair that we think of our families first and then we can help 
outside our families after..ialready said that to my mom the other..they buy the goods themselves 
and pack them and donate them samunisipyo and bahala na the local gov't to give sa dapat 
pagbigyan...

god bless everyone and god bless our families sa aklan esp sa malinao..let's pray always na lang 
that this tragedy will not happen again..let us all smile and be happy that they are all safe and healthy 
despite of what happened...

best regards, diana regno-ilejay 

From:   prescillaz
Subject: [malinao] Unsung Heroes of Typhoon Frank
Date: June 29, 2008 10:20:55 PM CDT

Finally, I able to communicate with my niece in Malinao last Wednesday after days of anxiety and agony. 
Auntie Baby told me that not to worry because no news is good news.  That 's why malinao yahoo group 
was my kahulid this past week.  Tueogan ag bugtawan ko imao bisan anong orasa.

Kon owa si SPO2 Junlie Cuatriz nga son-in-law ni  Ng Nancy de la Pena hay history eot-a si Nanay,  
During the surge of the current  everybody was trying to salvage whatever they had.  Nagapangayo 
it tabang si Anang Suncion hay owa man it makapaeapit ay mabaskog ro sueog.  Hanali-an mat-a nga 
nag-agi si SPO2 Junlie hay imao ro nagsueod sa among baeay. May guin awhag imao nga apat nga 
ka sulterito  nga magbulig..  They grabbed the cables which were hanging loose around the house 
and tied them together.  They placed my 94 year  old Nanay in a chair with empty plastic gallons on 
both sides to keep her afloat and tied the chair wth the cables..  Two kids swam towards Nanay Inday
Yarra's house (Nay Estring Regno) grabbing the  other end of the cable,  Upon reaching there, they pulled 
Nanay towards them  with Junlie swimming beside herto keep the balance. Ano mat-a ro natabo 
nga nabugto ro kable from Nay Inday's side ag nagbaliskad ro lingkuran kaibahan si Nanay.  
Everybody who saw  Nanay went under water just said "HAY-A" But Junlie was able to bring her 
up from the muddy current.  The two other kids who were holding the other end of the cable pulled 
Nanay and Junlie  back to the house.  At that time the water was four feet deep inside our house 
and the current was even stronger.  They decided to take  Nanay , Anang and Vieve to Anong Lindy's, 
whose house has a second level and  the water was only ankle deep.  SPO2 Junlie Quartiz and the t
wo kids did not leave my mother  until the water subsided.  The two kids who swam to Nay Inday's
stayed there for the night  

Nanay is okay and in good spirit.  She has bruises and some cuts but she is fine.  Ga birthday pat-a 
kuno imaw sa September.  She will be 95 . As of last night when I talked to Veive they are still at 
Nong LIndy's.  Our house has to be cleaned up and assessed of its damage.Ay naga lihay eot-a kuno. 
I commend the bravery and courage of SPO2 Junilie Cuatriz.  And also to the four kids who 
risked their lives to help saved my mom.  I was not able to get their names. I was  told  that all of 
them were high school students, two live in Malandayon,  who are good swimmers,  one lives near 
the Health Center, and Roland, the son of Linda, companion of Nay Inday Yarra.  They dared to swim  
the muddy  and raging currents to save people's lives.. These people are one of the unsung heroes
of Typhoon Frank. 

Thank you Dina for bringing Junlie to Malinao from Balete.  God bless your hearts.

Mayor Joji,  our town is lucky to have SPO2 Junlie  Cuatriz.  in your force. 

Thank you .  Precy Z

Paaman Nga Pasaeamat

Saeamat Uncle Owen for the grocery items especially the oatmeal you brought for Nanay from Manila.  
Maw man rang pasaeamat to my Yabut cousins from Cainta, Connie, Edna, and Ramon, and Tatit 
Inta who sent  goods and supplies including a cellphone through Cebu Pacific cargo.   
Indi eang kamo himadla ha!   Hugs and kisses tp  y'all.

From:   lizalberto
Subject: RE: [malinao] More Malinao News
Date: June 30, 2008 1:19:45 AM CDT

I have just talked to Baby Roselyn and Nanay a few minutes ago. Baby was at the division 
office this morning and she met somebody from Libacao who told her nga daywa gid ka bukid
rito nag cause it landslide which in turn formed a dam and when the water overflowed everything 
broke loose ngani bigla gid ro pagtaas it tubi which caught the people in the lowlands by surprise. 
Dungan gid nagbuhos ro Akean and Malinao rivers which coincided kuno with high tide.

I was informed that Jonathan Inobe, son of Tay Wilhelm Inobe and Mary Jane Igoy's husband 
was the one who carried Tatay to Baby's house. Si Nay Ida Igoy  hay gin tibong man to Baby's 
house by Cecile's son in-law Jomar ag later on gin transfer pa gid idto kanday Nay Rizing.  
Saeamat gid kanda nga abo^  for their help.

Baby told me that they lost all 3 computers in school and they are badly in need of one right now 
ag owa it pondo ro school kuno.

Lizette

From the Beta Epsilon group (my father and brother's fraternity)
From: ijr
Date: Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Subject: Re: How about Capiz: Fwd: Aklan and Iloilo after Frank

Was listening to Cong. Teddy Casino over Arnold Clavio's 10 a.m. radio program today.  
He reported that 82,000 families are affectd by "Frank" in Aklan, 29,000 houses  hit, of which 1
9,000 have been flattend or destroyed.  His Bayan, er... comrades  there in Aklan have reported 
that life is really difficult - no power, no water.  Earlier, MMDA's Bayani Fernando also reported 
to Deo Macalma/DZRH from Aklan that his "pink brigade" is involved in a massive clean-up with 
machinery and pumps, bec. there's mud, mud,mud everywhere. Engr. Fernando (he's a licensed 
C.E.. too) admitted that Aklan is worse off than Iloilo actually - a complaint echoed by many 
Aklanons here in Mla. 

What compounds the problem for Aklan, acc. to Cong Teddy, is that Aklan Cong. Miraflor 
suffered a stroke 3 days ago. Usually it's the congressman who goes around  the govt. offices 
for aid, and Aklan does not  have a runner now.

So there. Pictures na lang ang kulang. BTW my cousin Nonoy from Congress is also commenting 
that seemingly "puro Iloilo nalang ang naasikaso sang gobyerno," which appears to have a grain 
of truth to it. 

May photos pala akong pinost sa www.arkibongbayan.org. Kalibo pa lang. May nakita akong photos 
ng Malinao ni Prof pero di ko pa napopost.

Bakit kaya MMDA ang mobilized doon? Bakit hindi DPWH? Palagay dahil maasahan si Fernando 
kaysa sa DPWH?

From:   rdizon2448 
Subject: Re: [malinao] Unsung Heroes of Typhoon Frank
Date: July 2, 2008 8:33:35 AM CDT

I am relieved to hear the good news that your Mom is now safe. I am glad that Nay Deling, Nay 
Loring, Lizette's Mom and Dad are safe. I am thinking about all our folks there as there are no 
news that is reaching here about all the folks except what we have read here thru malinaoyahoo. 
Thank you very much for all the information passed on. I was trying to reach Nay Esing Inobe's 
family (Cenon) but can't get thru. Any news about them since their house is below the street level?  
I had no access to my computer for the past weeks and is still being fixed. I was not able 
to read the news.

Boy in Davao did not have any information of what is going in  Malinao until about tuesday 
after because it was not on TV and no cell phone contact . He said that the only news on 
TV is Iloilo so he thought that Malinao was spared and he can not contact anybody there and 
my cousins in Lezo. I have 3 senior citizens at home in Malinao and the water was knee deep 
inside the house. Our neighbors had prepared some bamboos to make a raft just incase they 
need to transport them to a higher level. They most probably went up the dining table as 
the water rose. After the power came back two days ago, I was able to talk to  Aida 
(Esin's wife that Nanay and auntie ceday, and uncle olong are okay and not to worry. 
It is just the lack of food and water and that is the problem right now plus the high cost of 
everything. I was also informed that my cousin Nong Andres , fell , this could be before 
the flood and when he got up could no longer talk, so maybe he had a stroke.  Just like all 
of us, we have many families who are affected by this tragedy. I have two immediate families 
to attend to in Malinao, not including neighbors,  4 familes in lezo, one cousin, son of Tay 
Deco who just moved in June 1st to a house with his family in Andagaw almost lost his life 
too. His roof of his house was blown out. He was able to send his wife and 2 small kids to 
the Barangay hall when the water was still knee deep on the street. They have no job to go 
to as there is still no power on kalibo and still in the cleaning process. Malabo daw ang suweldo 
nito. My niece's house  in laguinbanwa natangay ng baha and her sister's house was all under 
water so they don't have nothing left as far as clothes and furnitures. I doubt it that if she 
and her husband was able to go back to work as kalibo is not back to normal yet. This is so 
overwhelming for each one of us. I was told by our neighbor that if your house is intact, you 
are not qualified to receive relief goods (food and water) from the government? Is that true ? I
f water got inside your house, how do you expect to have foods left to eat?  We were able to 
contact my husband's brother in Iloilo and he said that Iloilo was affected too but they had power 
after a couple of days. Their market was flooded and with thick mud. They had received 5 kilos 
of rice, some noodles and sardines sa munisipyo. He said that they cook them all together (rice, 
sardines and noodles) so may lasa na ang pagkain.   We will have to offer all these to our Almighty 
God and the Blessed Virgin.  Take care and God Bless you All especially everybody in Aklan and 
the whole Panay Island.  

From:   kenneth@ilio.ph
Subject: [malinao] Aklan Updates
Date: July 2, 2008 3:07:03 PM CDT

From Val Magallanes (asawa ni Petite):

Updates:

-Still no water in some parts of Kalibo
-Electricity is still down in some parts of Kalibo.
-Electricity is back in Boracay,northern Aklan and Malinao for the
past 4 days na.
-Stores are finally opening so no more panic buying.
-Mineral water from Roxas City costs P 60 per 5 Gallons , better that
last weeks P 150 to P 120 per 5 Gallons.
-A lot of Stores have been closed by DTI due to overpricing.
-Dried up na ibang lugar pero the problem naman is the tapo tapo...
-There are still streets that has to be cleared of hte mud.

They still need help. No words from the towns outside of Kalibo.

Thank you for the shared stories.

Dahan kamo na.

Val

----------

Note: the congressman suffered a minor stroke/heart attack when he
was going around to see the devastated towns. He was flown to Manila
by helicopter = sa Heart Center where Petite is working.

From:   ygabby 
Subject: [malinao] 
Date: July 2, 2008 9:54:40 PM CDT

FYI. FOR THOSE  WHO NEED TO REMIT MONEY FOR THEIR LOVE ONES IN MALINAO
PALAWAN PAWNSHOP WORKS . THEY HAVE OFFICE IN PEDO AREVALO HOUSE
SA TINDAHAN IT MALINAO. IT WORKS FAST.

From:   kenneth@ilio.ph
Subject: More update Malinao
Date: July 2, 2008 11:29:11 PM CDT

Initial damage report:  210 houses totally damaged and about 2,100 houses partially damaged
Barangays most affected are those near the Aklan river:  Rosario, Navitas, Kinalangay 
(Nuevo??), Tambuan, Manhanip, Poblacion and Bigaa.

They are sort of back to normal now - the municipal government employed over 40 
people to help them clean up the plaza etc.

Because the municipal government had a calamity fund, they were able to distribute 
relief goods to those in need in the barangays within 5 days after the flood.  The distribution 
was through the barangay captains.

US Navy Helicopters landed twice in Malinao to bring relief goods - rice and water.  These were 
distributed in the poblacion (I think) especially water = as water was more needed in the poblacion 
more than in the barrios.  I think 4 sacks of rice and 50 boxes of water ang relief goods - not much - 
but at least, nagpakita ang national government and the US government doon sa Malinao kahit token lang.

Apparently, there are many pictures and even a video of the baha and the clean up but they don't 
know how to send those to us.  The pictures, they will probably be able to send through email - but 
the video, no one there knows how to post it to you tube.  Sayang.

Will keep you posted.

From:   kenneth@ilio.ph
Subject: [malinao] Forgot
Date: July 2, 2008 11:42:44 PM CDT

The goal now of the municipal government is to give aid/relief to ALL
affected and not just to Malinaonons whose houses were totally damaged. 

From:   jasmrey525 
Subject: Re: [malinao] Aklan Report from Beta Epsilon
Date: July 3, 2008 6:15:34 AM CDT

hello! po.

Bakit kaya MMDA ang mobilized doon? Bakit hindi DPWH? Palagay dahil maasahan si 
Fernando kaysa sa DPWH?

Nandun po ang mmda simply because our office extended our support. practically we offered our 
help. MMDA sent 150 manpower and buldozers for clear up operations for aklan and ilo ilo.

Maraming salamat MMDA.

jasmine rey

From:   kenneth@ilio.ph
Subject: Re: [malinao] Aklan Report from Beta Epsilon
Date: July 3, 2008 1:49:19 PM CDT

Exactly, maraming salamat sa mabubuting tao ng MMDA. Kung tutuusin, wala silang kinalaman doon sa 
Aklan but they offered and sent manpower and equipment.  Very commendable.  If I were the governor of 
Aklan, i would give them some honorary Aklanon citizenship :-).  And perhaps a three day stay in Boracay. :-).

But, I am not the governor.

From:   lizalberto 
Subject: [malinao] good news
Date: July 3, 2008 8:17:32 AM CDT

I have heard from Toto Val and Bebot that N. Virgie Calderon will donate 3 computers to the 
Malinao Elem. School and will coordinate with Bridget and N. Alice. Baby Roselyn is very happy 
to hear about the good news as they need it badly.

Thank you gid N. Virgie for your big help.

Regards,

Lizette

From:   gie_calderon 
Subject: Re: [malinao] good news;but not very accurate!
Date: July 3, 2008 2:16:36 PM CDT

I can only afford to donate for ONE computer. I guess there is communication breakdown somewhere. 
It is only to help the school start from  something after the devastation. My heart is still with  the 
Malinao Elementary .I spent my grade one there with Mrs Regno as my unforgettable teacher(. 
After that I was sent to Manila.) I always admired her white, clean hands and fingers while teaching. 
(Now I do not know why that memory got stuck there in my mind somewhere) My classmates were 
Gemma Iguban Rey,Agnes Ilicito, Guinevere Rondario and Gency Irada, Asuncion Ibon and cannot 
remember the rest. That  was 55 years ago!   I also remember I had a schoolgirl  crush on Gency Irada; 
permi abi nga nakapomada ag piluka ro buhok!

Anyway , I hope the computer will get there safely. It will be bought from Manila 

From:   lizalberto
Subject: RE: [malinao] good news;but not very accurate!
Date: July 3, 2008 4:54:36 PM CDT

Hi N. Gie,

Okay lang maski sambilog for starters. Pasaeamatan gihapon naton ro inyong bulig. Kami ni Bebot hay 
unahon anay namon ro among immediate family and relatives ay gakalisud gid sanda makaron kapin 
sanday Cecile. I think a lot of our fellow Malinanonons feel the same way just like N. Rosie and Diana 
have mentioned beforehand. Rest assured mabulig gid ron kami sa among maikasarang.

I am sure you're probably not the only one who had a crush on N. Gency. And who could forget  
Nay Estring Regno? I have a story to tell when I was in her class pero nahuya gid ako ga sugid �V 
I just put the blame sa kuyapnit and Nay Estring said maybe the kuyapnit really did it!

Regards,

Lizette

From:   gie_calderon
Subject: RE: [malinao] good news;but not very accurate!
Date: July 3, 2008 9:30:57 PM CDT
Hi Lizette,

Ga pasaeamat man ngani ako ay okay man sanday nong allen and A. Aiding pagkatapos it baha. Ro akon makaron 
nga gusto nga masayran hay ro caretaker it baeay sa Malinao.Their house is sa tupas guid it Aklan River, mga  
6 feet eang it eayo. aileen, n. Aiding's daughter said  they are okay. But you know "okay   ngaron hay relative. 
Basi okay dahil buhi eang sanda. But do they have their house still? so that will be  something Anang Alice 
will find out for me pag uli nanda ngara.It sohappened Anang was really slated to go home sa July ngara ay 
birthday na kono ag nahidlaw  eon imaw ga uli. ( we were there for six weeks in Malinao last Christmas).

Regards to you and your family,    Nang Virgie

From:   const401
Subject: Re: [malinao] Aklan Report from Beta Epsilon
Date: July 3, 2008 10:32:24 PM CDT

That's the  Filipino bayanihan spirit working. Electric cooperatives have also helped the Akelco in restoring 
power in Aklan. This tragedy should be a wake-up call to everybody to respect our environment especially 
the caring/preservation of the remaining forest cover in our mountains. Without the vegetation, there 
will always be landslides which cause the mud flows. I was a first year student in  Kalibo during the storm 
"Undang" in 1973 ba yun? It was the worst flood that hit Kalibo daw but the floodwaters did not overtop 
the Kalibo bridge. Hanggang pasamamo sa among baeay sa Malinao ang baha kato, now it's more than 3 
inches. Silt was minimal then and I remember having gone home to Malinao a day after the flood. 

After several years, this kind of flooding could happen again and could be even worse given the accelerated 
global warming we are experiencing. Our folks back home should be prepared always and people with houses in 
low lying areas should think hard if to abandon and relocate to higher areas or provide a second floor for t
heir present dwellings.

Flood control measures such as leevees along the banks of Aklan River could be a big help but our
government is too poor to finance it or has other priority projects. Actually when I was in at the 
Central Office of DPWH,  I came across a  study made by Engr. Ontong Mobo of Makato regarding  
the Aklan River Delta which encompasses studies on how the perennial flooding could be addressed. I felt 
dismayed then that all the DPWH district office of Aklan then could request are piecemeal solutions which 
are a waste of public funds, i.e. spur dikes and flood walls here and there which are washed out after 
several years. It's high time all Aklanons push for a long term comprehensive study of the Aklan River 
to protect the lives and properties of the growing population there.     

Bebot Inac-Cervatos

From:   kenneth@ilio.ph
Subject: Re: [malinao] Aklan Report from Beta Epsilon
Date: July 3, 2008 11:50:50 PM CDT

Speaking of taking care of forest cover, here is a photo of a kaingin in Madalag just after the border with Malinao, 
taken last April.  I thought this would be illegal by now.

Here are the e-mails that I gathered from the malinao group at yahoo re: what's going on in Malinao.

We didn't realize that Aklan was badly beaten badly and was incommunicado for awhile until the 23rd when phone calls and emails started to trickle in. Kasimanwas were frantically trying to reach Malinao since news of the typhoon and the ferry disaster came out, but to no avail. Connection by phone (landline and wireless) was intermittent.

June 23 email (first one that came to the Malinao group)

From:   pbcom (email suppressed)
Subject: [malinao] typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 6:48:03 PM CDT
To:   malinao@yahoogroups.com

Any news from Malinao? The news on TV is focused on Kalibo and the 
reports are very limited. Electricity is down and it will take about a 
month to restore it according to news reports so communication is 
likewise down. Judging from footages shown on TV of the devastation in 
Kalibo, I would think that the other towns might have suffered the same 
fate or even worse. I have received text messages from friends in 
Manila that the Kalibo bridge has been destroyed. Nay Virgie Ilio and 
her family were forced to evacuate to the nearby billiard hall of Nay 
Rosie Iguban because of the floods which ran all the way to their knees 
inside the billiard hall. I remember that the billiard hall is about 5 
to 6 steps higher than street level so you can just imagine how deep 
the floods were. Livestock in the barrios perished full scale and many 
people were reported missing.

God Bless Malinao and Aklan.

This was truly shocking. All the news said was devastation in Iloilo and the ferry disaster in Sibuyan Sea. We didn't know. As soon as the email above was posted, a few more posts came up the same day:

From:   prescillaz
Subject: Re: [malinao] typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 8:04:28 PM CDT

We are deeply worried about the fate of our families in Malinao.  Anybody 
from there who can provide us with the present situation through emails or 
ext messages? 

From:   rickie@custodio.us
Subject: Re: [malinao] typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 8:05:43 PM CDT

let us pray for our town peoples safety

From:   lizalberto 
Subject: RE: [malinao] typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 8:10:29 PM CDT

I spoke to Bebot last night inquiring about their situation in Malinao but 
she could not get any info on them too. Her brother-in-law in Kalibo texted 
her that the water was waist deep in Kalibo and that the people there were 
fighting for food. Eumapaw gid kuno ro baha over the Kalibo bridge so I won't 
be surprised if it got damaged. The entire PANAY has been badly affected and a 
lot of bridges were damaged.

We can only hope and pray that our families and fellow Malinaonons are safe.

From: raceld
Subject: [malinao] Typhoon Frank
Date: June 23, 2008 8:40:13 PM CDT
To:   malinao@yahoogroups.com

Let us pray for the safety and protection of our loved ones and friends in Aklan, 
Iloilo and Capiz.I learned from a friend in Libacao that  most towns near the Aklan 
river were badly affected by the flood. Two Libacaonons floated for hours and were 
found alive in Bakhaw and Paningayan.

Please post whatever news you get from our kasimanwas in Malinao.
May God bless us all.

From:   silver35tears
Subject: RE: [malinao] typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 8:43:02 PM CDT
To:   malinao@yahoogroups.com

My father texted me a while ago, abot daw bahay namin sa sta. maria. imagine ung level 
ng bahay namin at ung level ng sta. maria st. contrast sa plaza. that means, ung level 
ng tubig sa plaza hay neck level nung bumaha. Still has no power but cellphone sites 
are working kaya nakapagtext sila. Pupunta pa sila sa Akelco sa Lezo para maka charge ng 
cp. Hope and pray maka recover sila sa tragedy. 

From:   pbcom_auditgroup 
Subject: RE: [malinao] typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 9:13:42 PM CDT

Would you have any perspective of the effect of the flooding on certain barrios such as 
tambu-an and quinalangay nuevo vis-a-vis the degree of flooding in poblacion? Thanks

From:   jaymolo 
Subject: Re: [malinao] typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 9:23:29 PM CDT

Anybody out there have any news for us about Malinao? 
An alarming news worried me the most this PM was coming from family member
who resides in Kalibo, text this message. 

"Malinao was hard hit with many casualties." daw r/t fallen trees etc.

As you probably know by now, They don't have any means of communication.
TV coverage is limited. Tonight newscasters mostly focused on Iloilo and capsized
Commercial Ship, MV Princess Of the Stars near the cost side of Romblon.

Balitang America this evening. featured Kalibo town was flooded with Mud,
People were wading knee high mud flooded streets, while fallen trees were all
over the place. projected clean up is more than a month.
One contact from our family who has electric generator was able to
operate his "smart" communication system said, Kalibo Cathedral
the water was "a foot high" umapaw ang Kalibo river, so water reached the
Kalibo Bridge nasira and not passable (to cross.)
however we are still wondering how's our family in Malinao.

FYI they will need water and food supplies. Mostly ang mga Pharmacia daw na
abot ng baha Kaya walang mga gamot, including the provincial Hospital.

From:   prescillaz
Subject: RE: [malinao] typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 9:54:29 PM CDT

Anang Lita called me that she was able to contact Jonathan a couple of hours ago.  As of now 
the flood water had subsided in Malinao. Only two fatalities in Malinao, Tay Melis, and Ng 
Mely. I think they were from Biga-a.  .Nay Luting's house was neck deep on the first floor.. 
She was transferred safely to the second floor of her house.

From:   zabalr
Subject: Re: [malinao] typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 11:05:11 PM CDT

I talked to David Villanueva, he said Kalibo bridge is ok, he is a businessman there.

Airplane land in Kalibo today.

I talked to another guy and he said, landslide in Madalag caused the mud that hit  Kalibo.

Several person known dead also in Madalg, not accounted for.

From:   inserto 
Subject: [malinao] Re: typhoon frank
Date: June 23, 2008 11:07:33 PM CDT

I spoke to my newphew, 
Richie 5 minutes ago. He said that Malinao Plaza was flooded up to 
the neck. Classes were not operating because of the whole town is 
under mud. Water has receded, but the power lines are still not 
working. It might take a month to have the power back since the 
whole Panay, specially Aklan,is hard hit by the storm. Hasta sa tuhod 
kuno to baha sa soeod it baeay. 

There 2 reported death from drowning, one in Biga-a and one in 
Navitas. I am hoping this is not true. One family lost their 2 cows 
and that must be the big lost for a farmer.

Kalibo was submerged uder water that the shopping stalls were flooded 
and only the roofs were showing during the storm.

We are hoping the government will extend their needed help to the 
victims of the storm.

From:   babyimperial
Subject: [malinao] Electric Power in Aklan
Date: June 23, 2008 11:50:23 PM CDT

I just communicated with Engineer Ricardo "Ike" Ileto, Akelco's Corporate Planning Manager 
through SKYPE and here's the scoop with regards to their efforts towards restoring power in 
Aklan.

1)  power in Boracay has already been restored as of last night

2)  they are expecting to restore power in Kalibo in three days time

3)  and in Malinao within a week

The National Electrification Administration has already sent 5 million pesos to AKELCO to 
fund the cost of repairs so that Aklan can have electricity.  Secretary of Energy Angelo 
Reyes is expected to visit Aklan today.

The Kalibo bridge is not damaged, contrary to earlier reports. One casualty in Malinao is 
Soleng ( remember she used to sell ice drop , ice buko, ice candy, etc. ) and her husband 
Melis. They reportedly refused to leave their house to go to safer location.

June 24 e-mails

From:   zabalr
Subject: Re: [malinao] Electric Power in Aklan
Date: June 24, 2008 7:46:24 AM CDT

I was able to contact Jerome Iscala a moment ago and he told me the situation in Malinao.

 Majority were water damaged, the first water surged was the mud. No known casualty

except the two already mentioned. He said 6 known dead in Navitas.

Malinao plaza full of mud. Anybody you know with Globe CP connection is ok now.

From:   const401
Subject: [malinao] typhoon frank update
Date: June 24, 2008 8:24:41 AM CDT

Dear Everybody,

Had a long talk with Nang Baby Roselyn this afternoon. Had contacted her at last 
after her cp was charged at Akelco in Lezo. Wala pa nga power at water sila sa Malinao 
except for those who still have their poso. Nag-panic buying nga raw mga tao doon at 
150 na ang ganta of rice. Water was neck deep at the plaza and at Nong Densel Dajay's house, 
waist deep sa loob kaya you can estimate how high is the flood in that vicinity. When I 
contacted Nang Baby, she was at the elementary school and she told me that everything went 
under 5 feet of water there and now everything is covered with mud after the water subsided.

Someone texted my nephew a while ago to inform that about 100 people perished in Kalibo at 
dinala na lang sa plaza dahil di na kayang pa-imbalsamo sa sobrang dami. Same with Banga, 
sa plaza rin dinala mga patay na karamihan galing sa banlok na malapit sa Aklan River. Sabi 
ni Nang Baby, kung grabe daw sa Malinao, 10x mas grabe ang kalibo at Numancia. As of now, 
dahil walang power at tubig, the hospitals in kalibo cannot operate. Pinauwi na lang ang 
ibang pasyente dahil namaho na mga hospital. Si tatay nga is running a fever but he cannot 
be sent to any hospital right now.

Cecil's two daughters and some other Malinaonon who are studying in Iloilo were able to come 
home this afternoon, medyo mahaba lang ang biyahe because they have to avoid certain areas 
na sira ang mga tulay. Her daughter texted me that all their things at home were covered with 
mud. The silt must come from Madalag where there was a landslide. Mabilis daw ang tubig tumaas 
kaya wala halos silang na-save, kabuhi na lang binigyan ng importansya. We should be thankful 
na walang nadisgrasya sa banwa.

We really have to help our kasimanwas who were adversely affected by the typhoon. Kawawa sila 
doon kaya they would really appreciate whatever we could give para makabangon man sanda. 
Clean water, clothing, foodstuffs and medicines are what they badly need right now. May plane 
na sa Kalibo so it is now possible to send anything there

I was able to talk to the mayor early 24th June (evening there in Malinao):

From:   kenneth
Subject: [malinao] 
Date: June 24, 2008 8:57:06 AM CDT

I just spoke to the mayor on the phone today.

Basically, he said, while Malinao can be considered as a disaster area, they are ok now.  
Roads are clear but they don't have electricity nor water yet.    Ng Amie was able to go to 
Kalibo in the morning and she said that ' naga panindig it balahibo' - halos mga cars daw strewn 
all over the place.  The bridge is ok but the water reached up to the top of the bridge.

Sa Malinao, they have identified 5 dead so far sa Biga-a.  Lots of crops damage.  Most affected in 
the barangays are those near the river.  It was the Aklan river that swelled.

The water came to the banwa really fast - started at 12 noon on Saturday - after the typhoon in 
the morning.  It subsided mga 10 or 11 ng gabi.  It's been 35 years since the last flash flood so 
people have forgotten what to do, so people were not ready.  Lahat basa, so the damages were 
of material things (TV, computer, kotse etc. furniture na hindi nasalvage from the water).

Sa bahay namin, sa loob ng bahay, hanggang ilukon ro taas it tubi.  Sa munisipyo which is 
in high ground already compared to other structutres there, hanggang tuhod ang baha.

The municipal government has a calamity fund of about 1.9 Million Pesos.   The mayor bought 
most of the goods in the stores in town and will start distributing goods tomorrow for those 
who need.  He also said that they've rented chainsaws to clear roads of kakahuyan.

Somebody posted this in friendster and has been circulated widely

Somebody posted this in friendster.

The memorial hospital naabot ng baha at putikan hanggang second floor.
Early morning ng Sunday 10 feet strong current flooded the entire
town, reached the second floor/level of big houses....okay lang kung
lahat ng mga tao dun ay merong second floor ang mga bahay. they dont
have anything to eat there, walang mapagbilhan ng pagkain, even
drinking water wala na din...tubig ulan ang iniinom nila.
Currently, hanggang tuhod and putik sa buong town ng kalibo, madaming
barangays ang nawala na sa mapa ng kalibo, even yung bliss community
wala na...bubong na lang ng bhay ang nakikita. Just now, 115 dead
bodies ang nasa plaza ng Kalibo...they don't know the number of people
died and missing.
************
I am staying here in Quezon City, and been watching the news regarding
the typhoon. andaming news na sinalanta ng bagyo. nalunod na barko,
nasalanta sa northern and southern luzon....Iloilo in western visayas
was announced na tragedy ang nangyari dun....Ngunit mas tragic and
disastrous pa pala sa Aklan. Di lang na ibalita kasi walang means of
communication.
I grew up and raised in Kalibo, aklan. our parents and my brother was
there yet we never had the chance to talk with them kasi wla ng
electicity and no network coverage. akala namin okay lang sila
dun...at thesame time hoping and praying they will be okay.
Until Sunday evening, my friend who's currently residing iloilo city,
called and asked if i have news from aklan. And then, the news came
from all sources from the people of aklan who's until now suffering
from the fearful tragedy that happened in aklan.
The media doesn't know anything what's going on in aklan, if the place
was affected, lagi nalang iloilo city sa TV because, they dont have
means of communication how to get in touch with the province of aklan.
Until now i am trying to get information from my relatives and friends
yet, out of reach lahat ng lines thru cellphones/mobile phones. My
friend was the one whois texting me and calling as well to keep me
updated time to time regarding Kalibo, Aklan's situation. Her cousin
was the one giving the information, very lucky enough to have
generator para makapagcharge ng battery ng cellphone nila. These are
some of the updated news from Kalibo, Aklan:
The memorial hospital naabot ng baha at putikan hanggang second floor.
Early morning ng Sunday 10 feet strong current flooded the entire
town, reached the second floor/level of big houses....okay lang kung
lahat ng mga tao dun ay merong second floor ang mga bahay. they dont
have anything to eat there, walang mapagbilhan ng pagkain, even
drinking water wala na din...tubig ulan ang iniinom nila.
Currently, hanggang tuhod and putik sa buong town ng kalibo, madaming
barangays ang nawala na sa mapa ng kalibo, even yung bliss community
wala na...bubong na lang ng bhay ang nakikita. Just now, 115 dead
bodies ang nasa plaza ng Kalibo...they don't know the number of people
died and missing.
I would like to ask help from you guys in any kind that we could offer
to the Province of Aklan, especially to the people of Kalibo.
Fellow members, if you have friends or relatives working in a
foundation or at ABS-CBN or GMA or any organization that you think can
extend help, kindly inform them ASAP of this news. Wla ng makain ang
mga to dun, wala na ding maisusuot.
Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Roxanne T. Oquendo
************
pls. pass. aklanons were really devastated by the flash flood. our
house was destroyed and even our beloved basset hound drowned and
died. people are really panicking there. =( grich
************
please pass. i've texted some of my aklanon friends staying here in
manila and i feel so sorry for them coz they still haven't had any
contact with any of their relatives in Aklan. we lost everything too,
even our beloved basset hound. but im still thankful my family's safe.
please pass and please help in any way you can... much thanks. -glen dale

More from the Malinao group

From:   zabalr 
Subject: Fw: RE: [relojzabal] Fw: [malinao] typhoon frank update
Date: June 24, 2008 4:23:57 PM CDT

Hello All,

Here is a first hand account by Ryan Zabal. He is one of the correspondence
of Panay News.Com and Aklan Forum.com. He said only 3 people die in Kalibo. See below. 
Regards,

From:   neliaie@hotmail.com
Subject: [malinao] FW: Eliza/ a candid report about tragedy
Date: June 24, 2008 8:33:54 PM CDT

This is my niece, Nong Bert Iledan's eldest. Here is her e-mail...

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 12:21 PM
aunti very tragic gid ah natabo sa aton.. first time
ever..ng panic buying sa kalibo...tanan guba back to
zero... uwat iwag ag tubi for 1 month.. even mga hospitals
guba..apaw sa tulay do tubi.. ibat ibang klase ng sasakyan
makikita..yung bigas 150 even yung gas.. sira lahat ng
investments.. walang makain mga tao.. mga friends ko umuwi
from manila para dalhan ng food and tubig sa
aklan..marianing gidlang ga baligya it cand goods..do mga
malls lyk gaisano n royal guba man...

kawawa daming namatay... as of now.. 200 nakahilera sa
kalibo plaza.. not included ung missing....yong tubig
hanggang leeg.. daming namatay... most of them bata at
matatanda.. lalo na sa laserna at mga nakatira sa tulay..
daming sasakyan ang inanod... kahit mga sasakyan nila aunti
vilma sira na..

aunti nakausap ko si mama gamit celphone nila star dajay...
smart network lng gumagana na cell site.. d rest sira na..
and batery ng phone tinitipid dahil blckout..

sira yong bahay natin.. nawalan ng ibang bubong.. walang
nasave... even yong piano... violin mga antiques... kahit
yong mesa dw lumutang... hinahanap nga ni mama... kulang
nalang dw aunti umakyat sila ng bubong para mabuhay dahil
sobrang lalim ng baha.. umaa apaw..... same wd aunti
elsa's house... dami dn daw indi na save... almost
lahat ng tao sa akaln ganon na experience.. umiiyak si mama
naaawa sa mga batang namatay...

si nene uuwi bukas.. dinalhan nya ng stock sila mama...
basic needs..kandila pati tubig. wala silang makain..ndi
makapuntang kalibo din kc walang saskyan.. madaming poste
at mga putol na puno sa daan.. stranded.. i dunno pano
makauli si nene sa malinao

already called uncle nap.. nagulat din sya.. he told me
tumawag dw kyo sa kanya..akala nya ndi ganon ka
severe...i'm here in manila ryt now..

hope everything wil go back to normal...let's pray for
them

June 25

From:   prescillaz
Subject: [malinao] The Aftermath
Date: June 25, 2008 3:00:58 AM CDT

Please accept my heartfelt gratitude to those who helped and transported my mother to a safe 
place during the surge of the flash flood.  Saeamat guid nga abo sa pagtatap ku aton nga mga 
magueang it banwa. God bless!

The latest news that I heard  that the sun is out and people are able to hang dry their clothes 
and spread  out the palay for drying.  May nakapagaling eon ngani kuno it bugas sa aton sa 
Malinao.  

This is a good sign.  Ro problema matuod hay ro pagkaon ag tubi.  The scarcity of prime 
commodities is a big problem.  Mahae ag owa pa it mabakean. 

Connie, ayaw pagkalipati ro kandila ay owa pa it koryente sa aton. Thank you for everything.  
ake care. Talk to you later.

From:   vladdiane
Subject: Re: [malinao]
Date: June 25, 2008 3:11:11 AM CDT

just want to share this to everyone..

i have managed to phone my mama lita regno this morning thru my brother's cellphone and what 
a relief it was hearing it ring..

i tried all day & night yesterday and imagine my worry kasi di nga maka connect..

my brother al said it was the worst kind he has witnessed kase he was in manila and 
managed to come home yesterday..he described kalibo like eanas because it was and 
still is submerged in mud..

our house is about one meter elevated from the main road and still the water managed 
to go up to their knees..madasig kuno nga mayad ro pagtaas it tubi that they 
only managed to salvage a few things..

when i spoke to my mom and i said " kamusta kamo ", no word came out of her mouth, 
she just started sobbing and  of course, pati ako hay nag tangis man don..that's how 
devastating it was..imagine how they felt being in the middle of it all...

there's only her and my brother dodie and his two kids in the house so they just 
salvaged whatever they could and had to move out of the house quick to stay at 
nanay lida inac-inson's house just next door because they have a 2nd floor...
my mom said she didn't think it was going to flood at all until a neighbor 
called her attention that the floodwater is already casdading down the streets..

masueog kuno nga masyado ro tubi that she had to tie herself and my brother 
by their waists ag mag pangliklik sa karsada when they had to go to nay lida's..

my brother said if the flash flood happened in the afternoon unnoticed 
towards the night and not during the day, basi kuno abo nga namatay sa malinao..
mayad eang ay adlaw natabo ag hapan-uhan it mga tawo..

sa tambu-an where my brother jim is the head teacher, the whole school is submerged 
up to the roof and everything is damaged including computers..

my mom is just thankful they are ok ag may bomba kami for water supply which the 
neighbors are benefiting too ay una sanda ga sag-ob.. but for drinking, idto 
sanda kanday ng gemma rey ga buoe ay matsa safe ro water sa anda nga bomba..

my brother philip's wife lives in kalibo and they were badly affected..the 
whole haus was submerged, the roof blown away and nothing was saved...but 
everyone are ok and safe..my brother philip is now in aklan to evacuate his 
family inc 2 kids to malinao because they have no place to go..what a tragedy! 

right now, my mom said they are busy ga buead it nabasa nga mga gamit sa haus..
or whatever is left..

we just hope and pray nga owa it masyado nga casualty sa malinao apart from 
the ones nga habalita pa eang..

i hope all your families are ok in aklan and esp malinao ag i hope nga ro mga 
malinaonons hay mag bueoligan in times like this...

From:   jaymolo 
Subject: [malinao] Re: Fw: Re; Aklan relief operations. and stories to tell
Date: June 25, 2008 8:20:36 AM CDT

i have not done this before but I cc this to the beloved malinaonons info. and 
our family  the ka_dugo group who has shared stories after stories they have 
shared their stories that ebb a little of my fears and worries for the last few days.

Heres the some update

Relief fund has started. Spere headed by HONEST people Fr. Ray Velarde in Kalibo. he 
is the rector of the seminary. Son of Jean Velarde kung walang mag move to help Aklan
sariling atin ang mag start it seems the focus is in Iliilo right now. so
Nema Tejada Tarantan a Philanthropist who always shares everything she has to give for 
a good cause and Ruben Tejada son of Jean Tejada Velarde owner that Bakery Cake shop 
in Manila transporting kinds and goods through the military plane C130 at least this 
is offered. they dont send money they send foods goods of some kinds coats boots  
and water etc. but need finance to buy them. some aklanons in Manila are donating  
goods etc. heres how this relief fund is starting and i share my flight of 
anguish not knowing for days what happened my family

stories just scroll down.

Nems Thanks for all the update,
Finally I just talked to JR and Manang only last night Memen was the first to contact them. 
Thank God they are all ok. Its only JR and Toto Steph phones are working. Manang 
however was able to text. I am trying to find a way to load their Cell phone 
through Chikka isend. not successful yet.

Yes I would like to donate buy giving finance and you can buy goods to send Aklan. 
However I would like to send it to Malinao if that is possible through your C130 Cargo plane.
I would also like to separate  if you can facilitate sending goods to Manangs Family 
and to our family in Tangalan.

The Aklan relief funds if i need to deposit to that Gabriel Reyes foundation kindly ask 
Ruben to explain who is in that account and how can we deposit. what is the number.
I will forward this to groups of people so those who are may be  interested to send 
financial assistance so you can buy goods for Aklan flood victims etc. All of us are 
interested to help. But you know they need to attend to their own family needs first.
however I hope some can spare. Like me I know a lot can spread out their generosity.

Malinao family are ok finally after days of anguish i was able to talk to them

all in all Jon2 from our group. house house like the elem school the water was to 
the roof top deep all belongings totaly damaged

Heres Manang Elsa Story.
Gin buligan kono nanda to evacuate Jon2s fam first so they went sa eanas at 1pm they 
were met by the Kids running outside street to met them but when they were approaching 
ng Sophies house at the corner the water was already very high and current was so strong 
so they settled with Ryan and Raquels first (the couple are manning the Yebans house )  
where water was just about a ankle to knee deep.

In the mean time That left Toto Stephen alone in the house. They stayed there until i guess 
10-eleven PM when the water subsided a little then transferred sa Plaza, What a Miracle Toto 
was able to save himself and the Statue of Virgin Mary this is very heavy and is usually 
carried by 2 person when we( prosession) transport from one family to another during 
San Juan event. The height is from waist up and it is incased in a glass that made 
it heavier. They asked him how did he carry it. he said "Tao eani" Imagine Totos 
tiny body ga takangtakang. to just transfer it to a higher ground sa Bar daw namin 
guin patong nana, even that was reach by water. but still at least it was better 
preserved. Any way Bless his heart. (This year is our family turn to host san Juan 
thats why I went home so Virgin Mary is with us)

I cried to imagining him moving it knowing it is the whole Yerro family heirloom. He 
made it his priority knowing there are more material expensive things in the house that 
was easier for him to carry. I am proud of him.

Si Ryan naman daw ventured to swim through the current and visited his piggery farm. to 
his surprise hindi daw umabot masyado ro tubi igto only a tummy deep daw of the piglets. 
so they were all safe. Thank God for that. but i am still flabbergasted that he risk his life. 
I wish he stayed with the family. however he was able to come back home at about 7 PM daw. 
People said daw during the strong current they saw the big logs floating along the river 
or part of town but then was drawn back to the river by strong current. ro sueog it 
madalag and libacao river really hit and passed by Malinao river daw. I don't know how 
that is possible. 

Church of Malinao is under construction now so the mass is held outside the church 
kaya all the pews are relocated sa St. Joseph school. that is an open court. all 
those pews chairs were found  near Bigaaa (near by sitio or barrio) the next morning. 
marami daw are looking for things that were washed out. Every one are now washing thins.
But no water kaya naga pila kono sand sa high school Craftsman's artisian wheel ay na 
evaluate daw ang water is safe to drink.every day people are making pila to get 
dringking water. She has more to tell but we were cut off kasi wala ng load. I will try 
again if i can to send load thru chikka.

Their are lots of stories behind this tragedy. Malinao group share stories one by one in 
our group page. Amazingly all devastaing and sad. 

yes I will call you and give my financial aid. I will pay Bella here.
Oey lang about those lost material things . all elcetronics are gone TV, Ref etc. as 
long as they have water and food for now.Tangalan daw was better less water 
may reforestration doon. I am very thankful that no lives were taken and they are 
healthy enough to survive this tragic event and hope no more to come!

From:   babyimperial1
Subject: [malinao] Thanks
Date: June 25, 2008 3:34:58 PM CDT
To:   malinao@yahoogroups.com

In the name of the nephews and nieces of Nay Deling Ibea, our heartfelt thanks to her neighbors 
who responded to Nida's ( Nay Deling's care giver ) cries for help when water had already 
reached her bed ( in fact was already floating in the water ).  Nang Angelita Yarra's 
husband, Grace Imperial's husband and our cousin Kenneth ( Tay Tanciong's son ) were 
those who carried Nay Deling ( bed and all ) to safety in Grace's house where she spent the night 
of the flood. These people have put their needs aside to help save the life of a bedridden 95 year 
old. 

God Bless you !

Our thanks also to the son of Nonoy Seraspi who responded to Flor's
(Nanay's caregiver ) pleas for help.  He was just passing by our house and came over to help 
carry some belongings to safety.  Water has reached our bedrooms which were located in 
an elevated area. The following day, we had friends who came to help clean up the debris - 
Pido Arevalo with 6 helpers, Flor's family, Bernard Icabandi and Nonoy among others. 

The bayanihan spirit is alive and well in Malinao, thank God.

From:   rimano_florist2002 
Subject: [malinao] Re:typhoon frank
Date: June 25, 2008 6:35:00 AM CDT

thanks for all the updates, thank God, we finally able to communicate with our family in Navitas 
yesterday, its been almost a week that the navitasnon in U.S and Canada, & U.K, were trying to 
communicate with each other if whoever could hear from them back home.

Anyhow, they are safe at home except ro mga sa Banlok, mostly sa ibabaw it niyog nag stay 
for 9 hrs or so, bahay lahat daw sa banlok is gone, while family's that resides in Ulalo 
Ilawod and Ilaya area, all their gamit/appliances are wet. Makangidlis ro andang balita how 
they how they survive, so far no food no electricity, and there is a generator in Rosario which 
they have to line up so they can charge up their cell phones, but they are all safe. Yesterday was 
supposed to be the centennial anniversary of Navitas, but they only had a mass instead of binayle 
and reunion party. 

From:   kenneth 
Subject: [malinao] More Malinao
Date: June 25, 2008 8:30:05 PM CDT

I just spoke to the mayor again.

The good news is, once you see Kalibo and come back to Malinao, you
feel happy because, compared to Kalibo, the damage in Malinao is not
that bad. Walang problema sa tubig sa Malinao dahil there are many
bomba which are still working. Sa Kalibo and even Numancia, drinking
water is a problem.

Because our town has savings and a calamity fund (comapared to other
towns which probably have no contingency plans), the municipal
government was able to purchase about P300,000 worth of goods that are
being distributed today (Huybis) to those affected (those with
severely damaged houses have first priority). They were able to make
about 2,000 pinutos kuno to be distributed. 

There are also families who own generators that are being used for
charging cell phones. However, wala nang gasolina and crudo available
so mukhang tagilid. But the Smart mobile phone people has generator
and you can go there (sa Smart Tower) to have cell phones charged for
a fee.

I asked him to take pictures so we can have some idea of the damage. 
But he forgot to take pictures of the baha itself. Sayang.

From:   rimano_florist2002 
Subject: [malinao] Re: typhoon frank
Date: June 25, 2008 8:32:49 PM CDT
To:   malinao@yahoogroups.com

Is not really true na may namatay sa Navitas, its from Polo, Banga, ona 
eang nag toon sa Navitas. Only the farm animals in Banlok, obos gid 
kono tanan tanan. The people in Upland helps the people from the 
Lowland that lost everything other than thier life, but with in 
Navitas only.

Meanwhile ... news from other forwarded emails and yahoo groups

Aklan News!!!!!!

--- On Tue, 6/24/08, federico m. mobo, jr.  
Subject: [relojzabal] Re: Fw: Baha sa kalibo
To: relojzabal@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 5:38 AM

It is sad to hear na nakahilira ang mga namatay sa Plaza it Numancia.
Sa baeay ni Nang Jessie sa Olive Plains, Laguinbanua, Numancia, 30
neighbors stayed at the second floor of their house, karamihan sa
kapitbahay nila, single storey ang mga bahay daywang baytang lang ng
hagdan nanda hay abot na ang second floor. Three days silang di kumain
dahil owa ga subside ro baha. 

Ric Mobo

--- In relojzabal@yahoogro ups.com, Gavino Reloj < wrote:

News from Kalibo via Austria and USA.

Regards,

G A V I NO R E L O J

"Josef Berger" 

Subject Fw: Baha sa kalibo 
Please respond to "Josef Berger" 

From: Anthony M. Mabasa

May inyo eon man sigurong contact dito sa aton. Anyway, hara ro mga
first hand account.

From: ROLLY RAMOS  
Kahapon man lang nagka signal ro smart idto ugaling ro problema low
bat eon sanda. Puede sanda mag charge sa may generator o may saeakyan.

Sa Ugsod ag Cupang it Banga ro grabe dahil maeapit ra sa Akean.
Nakatawag man ako sa taga idto, abo gid nga baka ag anwang nga naeunod lampastao 
ang tubig. Abo kuno nga sawa ....One of my cousins hay gin sapuean
it evacuees . Sa Mantak (ubos it Manduyog ro mataas dahil ro water
ways sa ASU/Manduyog nag taas. Ginwasak ngani kuno ro pader it hungod dahil
ma trap sanda sa sueod it ASU. Munisipyo, baha man, Sa may Shell
hanggang leeg man. Sa sueod it baeay namon up to waistline.Nawasak ro pader
ag gutter namon ay natumba ro mangga sa gilid . So far owa man it
balita pa kon may casualties. 

Sa kalibo ro grabe, but I am wondering why the mayor is saying
there are only 3 casualties there. Medyo owa gid man imaw it crisis management
plans idto. Actually, pirme mat-a ginabaha ro Kalibo pero owa man it
plano for infrastructure para ma atubang ro problema ngaron. 

Talked to a friend in Malinao last night, lampas tao doon. She told
me casualties about 100 na with Numancia mga 20. Other than Kalibo,
ang mga grabe hay Lezo, Numancia, Malinao. 

Sa Roxas, ro city owa it problema. Pero areas like Dao, Sigma,
Panit-an parang lawa ng dagat. Some areas have power restored already. May
biyahe na rin ang mga sasakyan. 

Kailangan talaga doon ang generators pero mas problematic ang water
supply. Rang manghud ngani hay ginabitay lang nanda ro karne ay
basi kaunon it ayam. Gabantay pa sanda kon gabii. Sa kaabuon nga baka
nga namatay, barato gid ro karne, pero alinon man ay owa man idto it
ice. Ro bugas kuno hay P90/kilo eot-a. Baliskad a giato, basi iya eot a sa
Manila mahalin ro bugas kara. Maski ngani P1900/sack man iya. 

Hay naku,GLORIA! 

Lets pray that we can recover fast from all of these. 

RGDS. 

From: Anthony M. Mabasa  
Unfortunately, Ugsod is one of the worst hit in
Banga. Hasta li-og ngani kuno ro tubi to. Alinon ay matsa
manaba man ro lugar ngaron. Owa pare it tubi, pumps and
gensets of the water utility submerged. Bu-oe kuno sanda to
sa 

Iloilo ag basi mapaandar nanda hin-aga o Huwebes. 

From: felix javier  
Subject: RE: Baha sa kalibo 

Pare, saeamat nga abo sa update. Basi may balita ka con nano ro
mga  natabo idto sa Banga D Beautiful ag Ugsod City, paki bato eon lang.
Been trying to contact my parents as well as neighbors who are close
relatives but to no avail. 

The last one I heard was during the onset of the storm - mabaskog
kuno ag madaeom ro sueog it baha gahalin from Cumba (Iglesia's Estate)
gushing downhill to Banga Rotonda and that electricity were cut off due to
gusty winds. 

Just a matter of suggestion: Dapat mabuoe ro eunang mentras nga
basa o may baha pa. Kueabuon gid it mayad so as to stir the sludge, dahil
kung pabay-an nga mauga ro eunang hay gatig-a nga matsa semento. 

From: Anthony M. Mabasa  

Hay, mga kasimanwa. Pasensya eang anay kamo ay
imaw pa eang ako naka-oras. Owa't pahuway nga inusoy it
paagi para maka-contact. Ha-istorya ko mat-a sanday
nanay kabii. Ro tubi hay mga 5-6ft sa sueod it baeay. 
Nageutaw eutaw ngani kuno ro piano. Sa anday Bonnie hay
pang-8 nga halimtang ro tubi. Correction, eunang. Indi ako 
pag-pauli-on nin nanay ay ga-awat eang kuno ako to
pero ro indi pa masayran hay kun nano ro immediate effect.
Owa pa abe it ga analyze ku pagpasueod it pagkaon. Indi 
masaligan ro gahalin sa Iloilo ay may problema man
sanda to. Basi eon lang Capiz. Bukas man kuno eon roro.
Indi ma-estimate ro panic factor ag matsa owa gid it
crisis management experience baea ro munisipyo. Indi mo
man mabasoe ro mga tawo ay anda mang kamaeayran ro
andang gina-inatupag. 

May mahalin nga c130 hindunang 230pm, may daeang
ayuda. Tao eang kun pila ro matugpa sa aton. Ro Air
Philippines hay bukas man magpadaea, nga owa it sukot, pero
idto matugpa anay sa Caticlan. Ro problema ngani kara
hay owa pa gid it organized effort akong habatian idto ay
tanan man abe hay biktima. Padaea eon lang kita it
maisot nga generator ag chainsaw para may ika-bulig idto.

Ro balita man hay mga 60 ro missing sa Mobo. 

I just hope the national government is able to
assist our LGUs as regards crisis management, understanding
the real priorities, mobilizing and optimizing available
resources, networking and getting things done. Our kababayans
are probably too shell-shocked to think coherently. 

From: josel cruz 
Pinakagrabe raya ngara nga calamidad, matsa may mga namatay kono
kapin una sa may laserna ay maeapit sa suba, mga 100 plus kono, hambae ni
edinor ga uli kono si anthony basi makabalita man kita kana. 

From: felix javier 
Subject: Re: Baha sa kalibo 

Thanks for the news Fe and Josel, kaya pala owa naga ring ang
telepono ng parents ko. My younger sister went home to the Philippines last
friday, together with my son, but got stucked in quezon city due to that
typhoon. 

I recall that decades ago, typhoons "Undang and "Rufing" wreaked
havoc in Aklan - toppled electrical posts, destroyed crops ready for havest,
etc - the miseries were somehow alleviated when kids then saw catfish on
the flooded rotonda/crossing of Banga. 

From: Fe Jalbuena

Hay... kararating ko lang galing doon, 3 days na walang fligh, i
took the 1st airplane na dumating doon. Lubog nga grabe ang bagyo, eo tulay
eonob, abot, taga tuhod. ro mga highest peak inabot. grabe.... maraming
kababyan ang nawalang ng bahay at kabuhayan. Maraming poste ng Meralco ang
bagsak.. maraming nagsabi na huling nangyari ang ganitong calamity
ay 1972 pa . Walang nangyari ang mga tao doun kundi magsag- a it eutay... 

On Mon, 6/23/08, josel cruz  

Hay kumusta eon kamo tanan , medyo masubo ro balita sa aklan, lubog
sa tubi ag eunang, kapin gid sa kalibo, sueod gid hasta sa sueod it
baeay hanggang tuhod, tapos total blak out ang Panay Island . Matsa owa
man it casualty mga gamit ag saeakyan lang ang naapektuhan. 

Mayad nakatawag ang manghod sa Balete, ay may generator si mayora,
hindi masyado apectado ro balete, pero sa kalibo, owa gid kami it
makontak sa magueang ko ag ibang relatives. kabay pa nga maayos agad . 

sige kumusta gid kinyo tanan! 

From:   zabalr 
Subject: [malinao] Help is on the way
Date: June 25, 2008 5:12:46 PM CDT

US TROOPS IN PANAY
They're here to help in relief, 
rescue operations AFP

By MONTESA GRIO

ILOILO City Sixty-eight US Navy troops have been deployed to Panay Island to help in 
relief and rescue operations. All four provinces of Panay - Iloilo, Antique, 
Aklan and Capiz have been badly hit by Typhoon Frank.

These 68 American troops, led by Admiral James Wisecup, are an advance party of a bigger 
number of US soldiers coming over to help, said Capt. Lowen Gil Marquez, chief of 
the 32nd Civil Relations Unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"They're here on a humanitarian mission," he stressed.

Yesterday, President George W. Bush pledged US help to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. 
He said an aircraft carrier is on its way to the Philippines to aid in the relief effort. 

Bush, after White House talks with Arroyo, also expressed condolences for the victims of 
Typhoon Frank.

Five US Navy ships, including the nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan, the aircraft carrier, 
are expected to arrive in Region 6, military spokesman, Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr. said.

Bombo Radyo's website reported that the aircraft carrier will be stated in Iloilo while 
American troops are conducting relief and rescue operations.

US troops will also be bringing eight helicopters, Marquez added.

USS Ronald Reagan is the biggest and the newest Nimitz-class aircraft carriers of the US. 
It will also help in the search and rescue operations in the waters of Romblon where MV Princess
of the Stars carrying over 800 passengers and crew  sank.

According to DyFM Bombo Radyo, with the USS Ronald Reagan is the cruiser USS Chancellorsville, 
destroyers USS Decatur, USS Gridley and USS Howard and frigate USS Thach.

Help keeps on pouring in. A Philippine Air Force C-130 cargo plane left Manila for Iloilo City 
yesterday afternoon to deliver relief goods to the flood-ravaged Western Visayas.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano and Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog saw off 
the plane at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

Yesterday's flight was the 15th C-130 relief sortie to Iloilo City.

USS Ronald Reagan has a displacement of 95,000 tons of water if fully loaded. It has a top 
speed of over 30 knots and its engine is equal to two nuclear reactors. 

USS Ronald Reagan is estimated to be as long as the height of the Empire State Building in New York 

USS Ronald Reagan carries over 5,500 personnel and over 80 airplanes.

Hopes were fading for the over 800 people still missing after Princess of the Stars capsized in huge 
waves.

"I know there are families that are hurting, some are wondering whether or not their loved 
ones will reappear," President Bush told reporters in the Oval office.

Finally, a summary from the Plaridel Yahoo group (and related to Malinao)

From:   monram@gmail.com
Subject: Iloilo images: samples of what Frank did in Panay, and Prof Ilio's poem on the Aklan River
Date: June 26, 2008 7:02:29 AM CDT

I did not realize the extent of damage that Frank wrought in Panay until I saw photographs posted in 
the Iloilo province website at this url:

http://www.iloilocity.gov.ph/iloiloct2007/

Check it out. 

And here is an email from an Aklanon based in the USA re texts of reports from her province Aklan, 
appended.

Kumusta kaya mga brods natin sa Panay -- sina Boy Lopez, Ric Andrada, Zinon Setias, who else? At sa 
Aklan sina Dom Ilio Jr aka Mayor Joji.

The description of the Aklan River in one of the emails recalls to mind a poem by Prof Ilio, 
"The Aklan River in Summer":

It lazes in the April sun, a puny
reptile with scales of tanished metal,
hardly motile,
helpless as a worn out of its burrow.

A wishywashy creature
you do not bother to notice,
but you cannot also ignore,
for it it there, you sense its presence
even in the back of your mind.

You gaze at the sweeping scenery,
what a lovely panorama,
but instantly you realize that soon,
come the rains, this luscious spread
will be engaged
by this starved animal which
will turn into a raging serpent
whose convulative exertions will wreck
this concrete structure of a bridge,
as it did
just last December.

Mon
--------------------------------
Emails:

I almost flipped when I heard bits and pieces of news. Families in Aklan text'ed families in 
Manila, who sent out emails and phone calls about the worst thing that had happened to my 
beloved hometown.

First email I got was this: '10 times worse than bagyo undang. No electricity and water supply 
since saturday. indi ako kapadaea it kuwarta, no banks. no boats as well. there was a MUD FLOOD in 
Kalibo and hasta sa may second floor namon! And its now BYOB: Bring Your Own Bangkay 
(haul your own dead corpse) to the town plaza' he says.

Second email, from a different source: 'Hanggang tuhod and putik sa buong town ng kalibo, madaming 
barangays ang nawala na sa mapa ng kalibo, even yung bliss community wala na bubong na lang ng 
bhay ang nakikita. Just now, 115 dead bodies ang nasa plaza ng Kalibo they don't know the number 
of people died and missing.' ~ 

Third email, different source:"Umapaw and Aklan river and it got to the point where the water was 
above the bridge papuntang Numancia. The bridge was damaged although I don't know if it's still 
passable. remember the shopping center? the water reached halos sa bubong eot ana kuno. It is 
also true that nobody's selling anything because basically nothing was left. There isn't any 
water to be had anywhere."

Below is the best account of what had happened. Please remember that I have never done news 
reporting in my life, and my only source of information is my 3 closest friends who are in a 
state of disbelief, shock, exhaustion and full of mosquito bites. And this is just what happened in 
Kalibo, and they admitted they know nothing about the fates of Numancia, Banga, Malinao, Makato, 
Ibajay and all towns surrounding the Aklan River . I am also typing this as fast as I can, ignoring 
grammar and sentence structure, so that I may be able to reach Akeanons all over the world thru my 
emails, blogs, texting and non-stop speaking abilities.

So, here goes

Friday, June 22, evening  People are preparing for the food festival in honor of San Juan Bautista.
Radio said it was Signal No1. It started to rain hard, so people just went home.

Saturday, June 23

2am Heavy rains. Strong winds. Now it was Signal #3. Undang once again.

5am-6am Ceiling and rooftops blown away. Aklan River was rising.

9am-10am Kalibo proper is starting to be flooded, waist deep. Strong currents and non-stop raining. 
People hold on to bamboos for floatation. To move from one place to another, people jump from rooftops 
to rooftops. Houses in lower C Laserna are gone. 

3pm-4pm Wind stopped. Water is at 7-8 feet, Kalibo Shopping Center now submerged. The entire Kalibo 
town was quiet, other than the sound of the falling rain.

7pm-8pm In the dead of the night, with no lights nor electricity, people are screaming 'tabang'. 
Children wailing, women crying. Some people, who owned 2-floor houses, refused to accept their neighbors 
for the fear that the added weight may collapse the house.

Sunday, June 24 

Sunrise People got out of their shelters to see water and mud, tricycles upside down, boulders 
everywhere, dead pigs. It was like a scene from a B-rated zombie movie. First thing people looked for: 
DRINKING WATER.

6am People start to walk to the market for food. They walked in 2-feet mud. People lined up to buy
bread (plastic still covered with mud), canned goods, medicine. Prices skyrocketed: rice that was PhP80 
is now PhP150 (good for one day for a family of 6), candles 3 pcs for PhP100, tricycle trip PhP 1000 
to-fro Kalibo Airport. 

Everyone was in quiet shock, saying a low 'kamusta', and moved on to go to where their family and 
shelter was. 

Everyone salvaged what was left. They tried to dry, using water from the rain, their clothing 
and beddings. Furnitures (tables, chairs) are damaged but usable. Magsig-magsig anay kuno, ah.

The Provincial Hospital is damaged too, and the new PhP 45 Million CT Scan equipment is 
all lost. Where do the sick go? Stay at home and hope infection (feet are scraped and punctured due 
to walking on mud) doesn't spread. That is why the corpse are now lying and embalmed at the town 
plaza, for we don't have a hospital