Faith or Fear?

by Riezyl Barbadillo

It was on one of my conversations with an old professor when I first heard of this question. At that time I thought I understood what he meant when he said this. But to my surprise, it took on a really different meaning during the three-week Zamboanga Crisis.

 “Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear puts us into hopelessness, while faith rejoices in its God. You choose Faith or fear?”

Not the usual thing I see everyday..

by Joanne Vargas

In my 22 years of existence, the Zamboanga Siege was the first war that I experienced for almost a month unlike the Cabatangan Siege in 2001 that lasted a week or less. The war that happened here in my hometown is very memorable to me and I will never forget it as long as I live because it started on a Monday of September 9, 2013, the day of my 22nd birthday.

Through the Months...

by Nurdaya Abubakar

June 2013.

Finally, the Oplan Kausaban framework has been completed. After the all the efforts and sacrifices that the team and community people have gone through, we have finally presented our OPLAN KAUSABAN 2016 to the medical school during the Community Health Plan (CHP) Presentation. Implementation of our plans was just months away and we were all looking forward in making it a reality... Below is a glimpse of our Oplan Kausaban:

 

August 2013.

The team started preparing for the implementation of the Oplan Kausaban. Our calendar was already filled with scheduled activities. We were all excited to set foot once again to the place that brought the team together. We were excited to bring about change. BUT...

A Little Help

by Rothessa Reyes

 

Each semester culminates with a community immersion. During last year’s immersion, our team was able to establish rapport with the people, gather data about the barangay, conduct health teachings and formulate community health plans.  OPLAN KAUSABAN 2016 was the product of the two months we spent in the community. Our team was supposed to leave for Roxas last September 28, 2013.  This time around, our goal was to start the ball rolling. It was time to put OPLAN KAUSABAN 2016 into action.  Unfortunately, due to the stand-off between the security forces and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), classes were suspended as well as our awaited return to the community. 

Courtesy of Phil Inquirer

Every Zamboangueño was affected by the stand-off. It brought about fear and tragic experiences especially to those living in and near the area of conflict. Many lives were lost and hundreds of houses were ruined.  Everyone was left wounded. Everyone mourned for a killed soldier, father, mother or child. Many fled the city to seek safer grounds but thousands were displaced to evacuation centers where they have to endure the lack of food, water and problems with regards to health and sanitation. Day by day, the number of evacuees piled up and communicable diseases also erupted. However, the government, other Zamboangueños and other cities, extended their help. There was more food, water, clothing, medicines and temporary shelters for the evacuees. 

September 9, 2013: A date all Zamboangeños will forever remember.

by Gerard Santos

September 9, 2013. A date all Zamboangeños will forever remember.

Thousands of evacuees from the affected areas crowd the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in just a matter of days.

It was a time where the entire city stood still. Schools, offices, market places, restaurants, and even hospitals are forced to shut down. Terrified families all around the city watch the news at home and chills run through their spine with every “bang”...

Reflections...

Reflections...

by Angel Barjose  

Ever since I started medschool, my Septembers and Octobers have changed. My life has adapted with the fact that we have to go to Denoman on October and September serves as a month of preparation. But Septmeber 9, 2013 was not something that I expected, nor did something like that ever crossed my mind. It should have been just like any other ordinary day in Zamboanga City with fellow Zamboanguenos doing their daily routine. But the gunshots and bomb explosions disturbed the city’s peaceful atmosphere. A war broke out.

Everyone was hopeful that the war won’t last long. One night had passed then more nights until it reached a month. In that month, many people became homeless, many people suffered and many lives were lost. The war was indeed more severe than a virus. So severe that it ruined the city and its people physically, emotionally and mentally making this city unhealthy. 

from Google images

They say that in every bad situation, we have to find something good in it. Even though this situation is in its worst scenario, good things still happened. Just like a viral infection that needs antiviral medications, many good souls helped the severely affected people. These good souls served as the soothing medicines that made the victims felt a little better. Many donations emerged. Many kind hearted people never hesitated to help. On the other side, the armed forces served as the city’s antibodies against the rebels. They worked day and night to protect the city. – This just showed that despite the tragedy, Zamboanga City has a strong sense of community and camaraderie.