MASBATE CITY, PHILIPPINES – September 25, 2025.
Preparations were underway for the feast of St. Vincent de Paul. We held Triduum prayers and packed food for our pantry, which was scheduled to be distributed on September 27 to over 250 families. The volunteers finished early and secured the food packs to protect them from the rain. A storm was approaching, and they needed to go home to take precautions. The news reported that the landfall would be in another part of Bicol, so we felt at ease.

September 26, 3 AM. The electricity was cut off; the wind intensified by the minute, and with it came the rain. This was far stronger than the storm signal announced earlier. Outside, fierce winds encircled the house, pounding on it relentlessly. Inside, we prayed for the storm to stop and for our roof to hold firm.

Come morning, we were struck by the magnitude of the onslaught. Houses made of light materials were severely damaged, some completely destroyed. Glass windows shattered, roofs and walls were torn away, and trees and plants collapsed. Our neighbors were drenched, and children were terrified as they watched their homes being destroyed. Many were in tears, not knowing where to begin again… “Paano kami babangon?” (“How can we rise again?”) they asked.

Stories emerged of families hiding under tables and beds while their roofs and walls were ripped off. Others, with their small children, had to move in the middle of the storm after trees smashed into their houses. Communications were cut off; there was no water, no food for sale, no electricity, no transportation. Everyone was affected. It was catastrophic, and we were unprepared.

Later, when news finally reached us, we discovered that we had been at the very center of the storm—that it had changed course, and we had just endured its full force at signal number 4.

Our Response. Our preparations for the feast day of St. Vincent took an unexpected turn. Although we could not accommodate everyone, we opened our doors to the children of some affected families. We converted our prayer and living rooms into bedrooms, and they stayed with us for several nights.

When we visited our two adopted areas, we found their situation even worse. Roads were impassable due to fallen trees. Our Activity Center had been razed to the ground. In some places, entire communities saw all their houses completely destroyed. On that same day and the next, we distributed the food packs we had prepared earlier. We celebrated the feast of St. Vincent by bringing some of the affected families to hear Mass at the Cathedral, since our chapel was seriously damaged—only the statue of the Blessed Mother had survived the maelstrom of wind.

The following weeks blurred with activity. We visited homes, assessed needs, collaborated with organizations, and reached out to friends. Through these efforts, we were able to provide more food packs, water, clothing, medicine, and housing materials—not only to our adopted communities but also to other areas within and beyond the city. Our Sisters, CM fathers and brothers, friends, lay partners, and various government and private organizations sent help. Volunteers came to distribute relief goods themselves. Most importantly, we thrived because of the assistance of the poor around us. They helped us procure water, secure transport, find communication lines, and locate charging areas for our lights and phones. They were survivors, and they took care of us.

True, we experienced disaster—but grace and charity abounded. The pantry that was meant for the feast of St. Vincent became relief for the people. Stories were listened to, voices were heard. Humanity was revealed in every hand that reached out, in the compassion of those who provided. Sometimes God has other plans. This unexpected turn of events became an opportunity: to serve, to work together, and in the process to reveal God’s works and generosity.

In our missions, we may encounter challenging situations, but we trust in God’s Providence, in His care, and in His immense love for us.

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