At 9.00 a.m. on September 26, the high school volleyball team of La Salle Antipolo left the vicinity of Boni Avenue after a match. One of the athletes, Isay Manlungat, left with her father, Mike. Eight other athletes boarded the school service vehicle. Isay and Mike went straight to Sta. Lucia East Mall along Marcos Highway near the boundary of Antipolo and Cainta to attend the christening party of Isay’s youngest cousin. They got there an hour later.
As the party started to break up at 12.00 noon, Isay got a call from one of her teammates who told her that the school service vehicle had been stranded in floods for about two hours some two hundred meters from Sta. Lucia. In the background, the other kids were shouting. The last message was a plea for help because the kids were afraid that they would drown.
Isay started to cry and pleaded with her father to do something. Against his better judgment (he almost turned around after asking himself why he was taking the risk when his entire family was safe in the mall), Mike left the safety of the mall and ventured outside to get to the stranded kids. The water outside the mall was waist-deep when Mike left. He crossed to the opposite side of Marcos Highway and turned left toward the Semicon building where the vehicle was stranded. When he reached his daughter’s teammates, the water was knee deep.
If you’ve been to that area of Marcos Highway, you’d know that there aren’t many buildings where those stranded in the floods could seek safety. Mike thought it best to bring the children back to Sta. Lucia mall where they would have access to dry clothes, food and drinking water. Judging that the knee-deep water was manageable, Mike and the kids started to walk to Sta. Lucia a little after 2.00 p.m.
But the water started to rise fast soon after that. The current was getting stronger too. Soon, the water reached Mike’s chest and Mike is five feet and ten inches tall. He knew it was near impossible to manage to bring the kids to the mall by himself.
Mike and the eight high school athletes weren’t the only ones trekking the flooded street and braving the current to seek safer grounds. Mike spotted a group of men, total strangers, walking in the same direction and he asked them for help. They formed a ring around the kids to make sure that no one got carried away by the water. By this time, most of the children were walking on tiptoe and the shortest ones were simply hanging on to the shoulders of the adults because their toes could no longer touch the ground. Slowly, they moved toward Sta. Lucia.
By 4.00 p.m., Mike and the kids reached the mall. Mike’s family and in-laws provided the children with dry clothes and fed them. Outside, the water kept rising higher and higher. Along the stretch of Marcos Highway between Sta. Lucia and the Sumulong Highway intersection (Masinag Market), the flood rose higher than the average man. Lampas-tao, in the vernacular. Mike, his family, in-laws and the children he rescued spent the night at the mall. None of them would get home until the following day.
Later that night, in Marikina, another kind of rescue attempt was taking place. Ben Medina and his family lives in a multi-storey house along Dragon Street in Barangay San Roque. Ben, like many residents of Marikina, is in the shoe business. The first storey of his house is a small shoe factory cum warehouse and offices. The second storey is the family residence. Above the residence is a roofdeck.
At the height of the storm, the first storey of Ben’s house was totally submerged. In the darkness with the power out and the almost zero visibility due to the torrential rains, Ben and his family used flashlights to scan the flood water, nearby telephone poles and trees for people who needed help. Whenever they spotted someone, they would throw a rope and pulled him to safety. On Saturday night, more then 30 people found shelter in Ben’s house.
Mike’s and Ben’s stories aren’t rumors. I know them. Mike’s eldest child is my husband’s godchild. Ben’s younger brother is a friend whose daughter is my husband’s goddaughter.
People like Mike and Ben don’t catch the attention of media – unless they died in their rescue attempts. Then, media would be all over and calling them heroes. That’s just the way things are. Even those posting Ondoy updates on Twitter got more accolade. While I agree that there were those who managed to organize relief services via Twitter, there are also those who didn’t do much aside from repeat and re-repeat unverified information, often sowing panic and confusion instead of genuinely helping. Why they should be congratulated and called heroic, I’ll never understand. Since when did rumor-mongers become heroes? But then again, that’s just the way things are.
Such a touching story of great courage, Mike and Ben are the silent HERO,
unlike the actor who just saved one person but…you know…readers pls judge.
Thanks Ms. Connie for posting this, they really are God’s instrument…
Ms. Connie, there will always be unsung heroes like Mke and Ben, but there will also always be people who know that they deserve more accolades than those who seek media attention.
Thanks for posting stories of our unsung heroes.
They are the true heroes—- not asking for anything in return. May there be more like you Mike and Ben!
Most heroes are left unsung di ba? But thanks for telling the story on your blog. It gives me hope for the human race that there are people like Mike, and those men that surrounded and aided those kids, and Ben and his family.
Thank you for sharing these stories, very inspiring indeed. I thank the Lord for kindhearted individuals like Mike and Ben who helped people in times of need. I’ve been thinking that if only people would emulate good deeds done to each one of us, we will not have to suffer.
I felt sad reading of the trauma of the victims but at that same time, was really humbled by these individuals’ willingness to extend themselves in assistance. Wow, what can I say. Amazing.
Hi Mam Connie,
Naluha ako while reading your post.
My sister’s officemate saved around 30 of his neighbors too. The flood water was rapidly rising to the 2nd floor of the different houses in their area. There was a house with a 3rd floor, and the guy swam to each of the houses of his neighbors who were afraid to or couldn’t swim, and helped them transfer to the house with the 3rd floor. A tv crew from a large station wanted to interview him but he declined.
Thanks, Mam Connie for sharing this post. And a big thank you to Mike, Ben and the other heroes of the Ondoy and Pepeng calamities. Its inspiring and uplifting to hear the stories of people who would risk their life for others, without expectation of recognition, rewards or compensation.
(But I wouldn’t begrudge the actor referred to in the above post his heroic moment. He risked his life to save a friend which is more than what some of us are willing to do.).
If any of you know of similar deeds which media failed to cover, please feel free to post them as comments, naming the persons involved. But please do not post rumors or anything picked up through the grapevine. Thanks.
I remembered we also braved that same situation when we are in college with pareng mike,we waded through the dirty flood from Mapua to Kalentong to the oily street of Banawe to the dry and safe Cubao.whew!! that was about two decades ago.We were still bulky,model-physique then,he he .Pareng Mike havent lost the touch ,5’9” or 5’10 ,your utmost affection for other s is truly remarkable. I salute you.Cheers !!! .
Herbert, how are things in Taguig? Are you okay now?
Sabi ni PJ, Mike was 5’10″ when his head was still covered with hair. When hairline receded, 5’9″ na lang hehehe
Unsung heroes indeed. Hats off to them.
That’s the bane of social media. It’s so easy to post stories and make claims. Verifying its veracity is a whole new story altogether, even if the medium is a self-regulating one.
It’s just human nature I guess. Nonetheless, kudos to the heroes. Each and everyone of them.
To Mike and Ben, may your tribe increase.
thank you Sassy Lawyer for the inspiring stories. Though I don’t have 1st hand stories to tell, I know there are more unsung heroes and untold stories out there. May they continue to inspire people to do the same in times like these.
ang mga taong katulad nila Mike at Ben ang talagang pinagpapala ng Dios.
I have more respect for people like Mike and Ben who do their heroic act silently than those who let themselves interviewed after the so called heroic act.
Bravo to Mike and Ben and their tribes.
I’m sure we had lots of heroes that day… and though majority will not hear their stories, those that they’ve helped will never forget it!
Thanks for sharing their stories.
Very touching story Connie. It almost brought tears to my eyes.
Heart-gripping… and very touching. Thank you Connie for sharing these very inspiring stories of heroism. Real heroes. And yet, to them siguro when we ask why they did what they did— most probably, they will answer— ” I just did it because it was the right thing to do. “
Hats off to Mike and Ben and thanks to Isay for being a true friend.
It’s heartwarming to read stories of the goodness of other people…. Connie, thanks
for sharing….I really appreciate it.
Reminds me of Richard Gutierrez. grrr…
Anyways, tragedy brings out the best even in the most ordinary of men.
I’m sure Speedy would do the same.
Now I understand why you live in the Suburbs and higher grounds at that. Makes sense.
Speedy was just saying that if the floods become a regular thing, in a couple of decades our house on a hill would be a beachfront property. The floods in Pangasinan… shocking.
Yes malamamng manyari yan…yung ancestral home namin sa Pangasinan talagang lubog
I’m sure there are more unsung heroes in this tragedy. It does warm the heart that Pinoys have it them in them to be heroes, to do the right thing…
Sana we’re always like that – selfless. Especially those who should really be doing public service!
Very touching Connie. Very touching. And just like the comments above, ~*kamut-ulo*~ I’m bewildered talaga with Richard Gomez non-stop media interviews at inulit ulit ko kamo because I heard something’s not right.
Sabi nya, napakadelikado daw nang tubig and they could not control the speedboat that’s why he jumped into the waters para daw sipain yung wall so as not na di sila bumangga. Pray tell me, if one cannot control the speedboat, at delikado ang tubig, why would you risk your life?
Ow… sorry. I forgot – he’s the Pinoy version of Dobol Ow Seven.
Tong-its ba.
Ha? So ang implication, act of heroism yung sipain yung wall?
yes, ma’am.
and hero-ik definition eh according to his, his sister na naka-tweet pa every minute his brother make sipa the wall and his supporters na feel nila anak ni bathala ang richard. ngayon lang ako nakakita nang hero na iniwan ang iba pang nalulunod at iisa lang ang pinikap eh sya tong me salbabida.
at duda rin ako sa drama ni christine. dudetz talaga ako. dudettes na dudettes. here’s the clue.
balikan nyo ang litraks na drama ni christine. look at the water level. look at the fence. look at the roof. look at the tubig. at teka lang. ba’t naka video? pano nakapasok si mamang nag-video kung peligroso?! wiz ko gets! taz tingnan nyo ang video nung bumalik si christine sa bahay nila na ayaw maputikan. something’s not right.
asan si direk to explain this all?!
Pahingi naman ng links ng videos at pics. Alam mo namang medyo delayed ako sa mga ganyang stories hehehe Salamat.
connie,
apologies naging busy ang lola, but here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0VeP2YA6A
check out 2:29
send me an email ofwcenter@gmail.com and i’ll send you pics of christine
eto naman yong bumalik sya sa bahay (christine) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWjlRtIaYnQ&feature=related
check out 0:19
in fact you can see the level of the water and yung fence from this video pati na taas nung bubong.
Nakita ko na pati yung pics. But can’t find explanation kung SINO kumuhuka ng pics at video. May kasama bang cameraman si Richard Gutierrez everywhere he goes? A la The Truman Show? hahaha
i have another comment with the video under moderation. the comment about tini-tweet nin ruffa came from another blogger, sa FB nya si mel hahaha
Got that. Thanks.
Reyna Elena, are you talking about Richard Gomez or Richard Gutierrez?
geri,
am talking about richard gutierrez
…mike is a gym mate and a friend, we use to see each other together with another friend Doc Francia every sunday, mike missed our sunday session coz he was still at sta lucia stranded with the kids..the following sunday we had a chance to listen to mike’s heroic experience..what also struck my heart was his story that as he was braving the waters with all the kids in his arms ( ‘dre, your triceps and biceps routine really paid off here huh ) there was an elderly who mike wanted to save too but the elderly seeing all the kids clinging on him and perhaps thinking that an added load would compromise their safety.. just said ” hijo, just go ahead, matanda na ako isalba mo na lang ang mga bata…” i could just imagine mike’s situation that very moment..For MIKE and BEN and for the rest of unsung heroes during ONDOY’s wrath, I SALUTE you!!!
It’s nice to hear/read of heartwarming stories like this. Connie, what do you make of this: “Manda said he realized removing squatters from around the lake would be a “political decision” that may not sit well with politicians so close to national elections in May”….the rest of the story here http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091009-229127/4M-lake-squatters-must-go
My column on October 6 answers your question to the point. Click to read.
Your article was bang on! (Sorry, I didn’t have MB bookmarked before – I do now!). What would it take for the politicians to do the right thing? Masama mang isipin but it might help if their own families were swept away next time. They must suffer the consequences of their evil ways! These are harsh words but I (as others out there too I’m sure), am really angry at these corrupt men and women.
It’s MST, not MB.
People will never know what they are capable of until they are confronted with a situation they never thought they would be in. To all those Mikes and Bens out there, who we may never meet, we salute you.
Mareng Connie, thank you very much for sharing this. To Pareng Mike and Ben saludo kami sa inyo!!!
we all need to be reminded of a very simple axiom – it’s not about what happens to us. it’s about how we react to it. and we save lives not because we can imagine ourselves to be heroes but rather, how we simply could not live with ourselves if we had just sat there and did nothing.
i salute the real heroes, like ben and mike. sadly, we’re also victims of ondoy, the hardest part was that my husband braved waist-high water and asked help from our tenants (who live just in the next street but in a much higher ground) and he was simply waved away
Wow! Ang galing naman ni Kuya Mike! And I had to hear of his heroism dito pa
He really is a hero, and I hope Isay’s classmates are not to traumatized by what happened. I’ll share this post Miss Sassy 
I live in Cainta near the two areas mentioned in your entry. We were also flooded and there were also various acts of heroism and cooperation from where we were. Sadly, there were also a number of casualties. I hope we could get these behind. Especially those people who were terribly affected. And for the rest of us who weren’t, I plead that we refrain from forwarding information that we have not verified or do not completely understand. All throughout the flood I had been receiving 5-message long texts on news regarding Ondoy and then Pepeng. And these are from friends who I know are all well-intentioned. But information on how many kmh Pepeng is moving or how non-existent dams will be releasing water will only cause panic and will not do anything to help people in affected areas. Practical tips or prevention measures are well worth sending out. But information that is subject to the interpretation of the reader, which in this case will most likely be interpreted negatively, will only do more harm than good.
it really makes me proud of becoming a Filipino with these kinds of stories.
And I truly believe that Ondoy and Pepeng can not break our Bayanihan Culture.