Where Courage Blooms

The wind howled outside Mrs. Quiocho's house, near the river in Pantay Tamurong, Caoayan. It felt like a giant, angry monster trying to tear the roof off. Rain poured down, making a loud noise on the tin roof. Mrs. Fe, a teacher at Pantay Tamurong Elementary School, felt scared. She had been a teacher for almost 29 years, and she had seen many storms, including typhoons, earthquakes, and floods. But this one, Typhoon Egay, felt different. It felt really powerful.

Mrs. Fe, a dedicated public school teacher who teaches Araling Panlipunan in elementary level, thought about her students. She had taught them about storms and how to stay safe. She had even practiced with them what to do if a big storm came. But she knew that nothing could really prepare them for this.

The wind got stronger, and the rain came down harder. Mrs. Fe could hear the river rushing outside. It sounded dangerous. Then, she heard a loud bang. She ran to the window and saw the water coming into her house. The river had flooded!

Mrs. Fe was scared, but she knew she had to be strong. She was prepared, she had a bag packed with important things: flashlights, batteries, bottled water, a first-aid kit, and some food that wouldn't spoil. She had also made sure her family's important papers were safe in a waterproof container.

Mrs. Fe quickly gathered her family – her husband, Mr. Danilo, her daughter, Danica, and their dog, Otso – and they climbed to the second floor of their house, thankful for the extra height. As they were putting away their things, they heard people calling for help. A group of construction workers were trapped in a nearby building, surrounded by the rising floodwaters. Mrs. Fe knew she had to help. She encouraged the workers to stay at their home temporarily to be safe.

The construction workers, very grateful for the rescue, offered to help Mrs. Fe and her family move their important things to the second floor. Danica and Mr. Danilo joined the effort, working alongside the construction workers, making sure their most important things were safe. In the face of the storm, they found strength in working together, their shared struggle bringing them closer.

Mrs. Fe felt nervous as the floodwaters kept rising. Their phones, with low batteries, showed news reports of flooding all over Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. Cars were underwater, and houses were flooded. They had to eat carefully, making sure they had enough food for everyone.

Even with nervousness, she knew, deep down, that they would get through this, that they would rebuild, and that they would come out stronger.

Finally, the storm started to calm down. The wind, once a raging beast, became a gentle breeze. The floodwaters went down, leaving behind a lot of damage. As Typhoon Egay left, Mrs. Fe couldn't help but worry for those who had suffered just like them.

Their phones, with their batteries charged with the help of a powerbank, Mrs. Fe started posting messages and information about the struggles of the people in Caoayan, trying to get them help from other people. She also shared prayers and motivated those who suffered with kind words, encouraging them to be hopeful and strong.

The storm had caused a lot of damage. Many people were hurt, farmers lost their crops, and livestock were affected. Mrs. Fe knew that living near the river and sea meant they were always at risk of flooding.

But Mrs. Fe is a teacher, and teachers are more than just educators. They are guides, mentors, and they help people feel hopeful. She helped her community rebuild, offering hope, strength, and support. She continued to teach her students to be good citizens, to care for their families, and to build a better future for their country.

Mrs. Fe knew that overcoming the challenges of natural disasters required everyone to work together. She continued to play her role as a teacher, guiding her community towards a safer and stronger future. She knew well that disaster is among the things where courage blooms.