As the whole world pays tribute to the heroic dads who have done a great job in supporting and anchoring their families through thick and thin and towards a better life, Kapamilya Channel’s public service program Iba ‘Yan celebrated Father’s Day by visiting a coastal community in Mauban, Quezon that was terribly devastated by Typhoon Ambo last month.
In the latest episode aired last Sunday, June 21, host Angel Locsin was able to personally get to know the two fishermen from Barangay Sadsaran, Mauban, Quezon who got featured in one of TV Patrol’s newscasts during their coverage – Pablito Escudero and John Cris Serrano. They endure torrential rains, gusty winds, and huge waves to catch fish that they could sell and bring home to their families.
According to them, the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent disaster have awfully affected their livelihood as their catch has drastically decreased, so is their income, which got worsened by the destruction of their fishing boat.
“Mabigat po talaga ang pakiramdam ng isang ama na makita mo na tipid sa pagkain ang pamilya – asawa, lalo na ‘yong mga anak. Nakaranas po kami ng walang kain sa hapunan. Tulog na lang. Malungkot, napapaiyak kung bakit ganito ang nangyayari sa ating bansa, lalo na ‘yong mga katulad namin na mahirap lang,” Pablito related.
Angel also joined them over a simple yet sumptuous lunch and was able to meet Pablito’s partner Airene and their seven children as well. John Cris’ wife, however, wasn’t able to be with them as she was in a hospital in Tayabas then for her medical check-up since she has cysts in her cervix that made it difficult for them to bear a child.
Pablito and John Cris then went on to introduce them to their friend Ferdinand San Juan, a 52-year-old mamimintol (crab catcher), who’s also immensely affected by the recent catastrophes. As he currently lives in a shanty all by himself after his wife succumbed to heart attack and tuberculosis many years ago, he has no other wish but to see his estranged children again. Although his youngest son and his family have been living with him since their house is being repaired, Tatay Ferdi still longs to be with his daughter Maridel, who already now has her own family in Candelaria, and Harold, who works as a construction worker in Rizal.
Since it’s Father’s Day, Iba ‘Yan made their reunion come true by helping Maridel come home and giving them the chance to talk with Harold via video call. Aside from that, the program also surprised him with groceries and a motorcycle with sidecar that he can use in vending his catch.
The next day, Angel invited John Cris and Pablito to go fishing using a motorized banca that unbeknown to them would be eventually theirs. Besides, she also handed John Cris a brown envelope containing some amount of money that he and his wife can use for her check-ups.
“Malaking biyaya ito sa amin. Malaking tulong para sa aking pamilya. Ngayon, pwede kaming makapagpalaot sa malayo. Sigurado maiiba ang kita ng aming trabaho,” Pablito happily said.
John Cris, on the other hand, wasn’t able to hide how grateful he was for the blessing that he just received. “[Ang laki] po ng pasalamat ko kay Ma’am Angel dahil nabiyayaan po ako ng ‘di lang po sa akin kundi pati sa asawa ko at sa magiging baby namin.”
Iba ‘Yan was also able to reach out to the other fisherfolk in Brgy. Sadsaran as they gave away food packs and ABS-CBN Ligtas Bags that contain battery-operated radios, flashlights, first-aid kits, and other supplies they can use in times of disaster and emergency, with the help of Brgy. Sadsaran Fishermen Association President Noel Niogan. The show also provided another motorized banca that can be shared by the whole community.
“Hindi ko rin sukat akalaing ‘yon pala ang sorpresa nila. Talagang malaking-malaking halaga ‘yong tulong na binigay ni Ma’am Angel. Talagang masayang-masaya. Maraming maraming salamat po. Talagang bukas na bukas ang puso n’yo sa taga-rito. Dahil ramdam ko ang kanilang buhay, maski man ako isang ganito lang ay ramdam ko na ay nakapagbigay kami ng konti sa kanila,” Noel tearfully conveyed.
Life may have been tough for them recently, but both Pablito and John Cris were still able to utter words of encouragement to other Filipinos who are also experiencing hardships like them, especially now that we’re in the midst of a crisis.
“Sa akin po, iba po talaga ang mga Pinoy. ‘Di titigil sa paghahanapbuhay hangga’t walang makakain ang pamilya lalo na ang mga anak. Kaya kahit ano pong hirap, kinakaya naman po ng mga Pilipino,” John Cris said.
Meanwhile, Pablito related the fishermen’s routine to life as a whole by saying, “Gusto ko lang po i-share sa inyo ang buhay-mangingisda- na kapag madilim po [at] walang buwan, d’yan po masagana ang mga isda. Kaya po sa buhay natin, sa buhay ng tao, kapag nand’yan po ang dilim, huwag po kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. ‘Wag lang po tayo susuko [sapagkat] d’yan po sa dilim, meron po d’yang pag-asa.”
May these inspiring anecdotes of our fellowmen stir us to be more grateful in every blessing that we have and we will be receiving, as well as to help other people in our own little ways.
Watch Iba ‘Yan every Sunday 6:15pm on Kapamilya Channel!