Teaching for the Community, inspired by the Community: A Teacher’s Commitment in a Flood-Prone Community

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TALITAY, DATU MONTAWAL — At 28, Hasna Alilaya volunteers as a teacher in the same remote barangay where she grew up. She lives a simple life with her husband, Norodin, and their young child, finding comfort and security in their modest home within a small, close-knit community. Flooding caused by Typhoon Nando (internationally named Ragasa) disrupted their daily routines, making it even more difficult for the family that is already struggling to make ends meet, to access supplies and seek support from nearby communities.

When Typhoon Nando affected the province of Bukidnon, many low-lying areas were impacted, including Maguindanao del Sur. Heavy rainfall caused the Pulangi River, which is Bukidnon’s major river system and a primary tributary of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, to overflow, resulting in downstream flooding in Maguindanao del Sur. In the Municipality of Datu Montawal, which consists of 11 barangays, Barangay Talitay was among the most affected. Floodwaters rose above head level, submerging Hasna’s home and destroying household belongings, as well as key materials she used for teaching.

Flooding has become a recurring challenge in Hasna’s community. In some months, flooding can occur up to four times. Over the years, these incidents have intensified, resulting in greater damage to homes and livelihoods and increasing the strain on daily life.

In photos: Flooding experienced by Hasna’s community in Sitio Pibpulangian in Datu Montawal. (Photo courtesy of Integrated Mindanaoans Association for Natives (IMAN)

While Hasna’s community is already used to frequent floods, Typhoon Nando brought an entirely different scale of destruction. Unlike previous floods that were usually confined to certain pockets of the sitio and receded within days, Nando inundated the entire area. Floodwaters remained for almost two weeks, submerging homes, pathways, and sources of livelihood for an extended period. The prolonged flooding left families with little time to recover between rising waters and deepened the damage to already fragile living conditions.

The intensity of the flooding was worsened by the collapse of several riverbanks, which caused the water to spread wider and surge deeper into the community. Houses made of light materials were among the hardest hit, with some structures partially damaged and others completely swept away. For residents, the flood brought by Nando was unlike anything they had previously experienced, leaving visible destruction and long-term consequences for safety and shelter.

The impact was felt by every household in the area. All 635 families, representing 100 percent of the sitio’s population, were affected by Typhoon Nando. While a small number of families with relatives outside the barangay were able to temporarily relocate, most had no alternative shelter and were forced to stay in their homes despite the risks posed by rising waters and unstable structures.

In photo: Flooding experienced by Hasna’s community in Sitio Pibpulangian in Datu Montawal. (Photo courtesy of Integrated Mindanaoans Association for Natives (IMAN)

This took a major toll on Hasna’s household. Hasna’s husband, Norodin, earns a living as a fisherfolk, with daily income typically ranging from 100 to 150 pesos (around 1.5 to 2 euros), and only rarely reaching 300 to 500 pesos (4 to 7 euros). Norodin’s income is highly dependent on weather conditions, making the family particularly vulnerable during flooding. According to him, fishing becomes nearly impossible when water levels rise, further limiting their ability to meet daily needs.

In photo: Flooding experienced by Hasna’s community in Sitio Pibpulangian in Datu Montawal. (Photo courtesy of Integrated Mindanaoans Association for Natives (IMAN)

Aside from this, Hasna’s community is among the most remote areas in the municipality. Sitio Pibpulangian in Barangay Talitay is not an island, but it is encircled by the Pulangi River, leaving boat travel as the only reliable way in and out of the area. Reaching the sitio requires an almost hour-long pump boat ride, with transportation costs ranging from 200 to 300 pesos (a little more than 2–4 euros) one way and 500 to 600 pesos (around 7–8.5 euros) for a round trip. This amount is nearly equivalent to what Hasna’s husband earns in a day.

Because of the family’s limited income, Hasna rarely travels outside the barangay. Instead, she often relies on neighbors or acquaintances who are already going to the market to purchase essential items on her behalf, allowing her to manage daily expenses despite their isolation.

“It is difficult to see the damage to belongings and livelihoods in our community. This situation makes daily life more challenging for many families,” Hasna recalled.

Valuing education amid crisis

Nearly two years ago, Hasna made the decision to become a volunteer teacher, not out of ambition, but out of necessity. In their remote community, she was the only one who was able to finish high school. She could not bear to see children miss out on learning simply because the nearest school was too far and too difficult to reach. What began as a small effort to help soon became a responsibility she chose to carry every day.

Each morning, Hasna teaches around 60 learners from Grades 1 to 5. She handles multiple grade levels at once, moving between lessons and age groups in a single day. Classes are held in a small makeshift annex school, where space is limited, and resources are scarce. Some children sit on borrowed chairs, while others hold classes inside the mosque when the classroom can no longer accommodate everyone. Despite the heat, the crowding, and the lack of materials, the children continue to come. For many of them, Hasna is their only access to education.

In photo: Hasna is a volunteer teacher at the Lower Bagoinged Elementary School Extension and has been serving for more than two years. Aside from her teaching duties, she also sells goods in various stores to help support her family’s daily needs.
Photo by: Datoal Mangadad- Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN) Inc.

The alternative is a journey that few young learners can manage. Reaching the nearest main school requires an hour-long pump boat ride and nearly two hours on foot. During the rainy season and periods of flooding, the journey becomes unsafe or impossible. This reality is why Hasna continues to teach in the sitio. What matters is keeping education within reach for children who would otherwise be left behind.

In photo: Lower Bagoenged Elementary School- Annex.
This is the annex school where Hasna Alilaya teaches as a volunteer teacher.
Photo by: Hadjara Umpong- Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN) Inc.

Unfortunately, teaching in Sitio Pibpulangian comes with constant challenges. Some learners miss classes because they do not have basic school supplies. Others arrive at school hungry, unable to focus on lessons. During harvest season, many children are absent for days at a time as they help their families in the fields.

Security concerns have also shaped daily life. The community lies at the far edge of Barangay Talitay, close to Sitio Tukananes in Barangay Dalgan, where terrorist-related bombings and airstrikes occurred from December 2023 to January 2024. Hasna remembers nights filled with fear, families evacuating in haste, and the uncertainty of not knowing when it would be safe again. Even then, she chose to stay. She chose to teach.

Supporting teachers and learners through ACCESS

In the aftermath of the flooding, support through the ACCESS project, funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, helped bridge the gaps Hasna had long been navigating as a volunteer teacher. Through the joint efforts of the Integrated Mindanaoans Association for Natives (IMAN) and Action Against Hunger, all affected households in the community received assistance, including education-focused support for teachers and learners.

Phot courtesy of Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN)

The Learners’ Kits have also made a visible difference. “With the complete sets of school supplies, the children are more eager to come to class. They are proud to bring their own notebooks and pencils to school. The kits have also helped our parents, who often struggle with daily expenses, and made it easier for the children to stay in class instead of staying home or helping out in the fields,” Hasna shared. In a place where education is fragile and easily disrupted, these simple tools have helped sustain Hasna’s efforts and keep learning alive in the community.

“With the complete sets of school supplies, the children are more eager to come to class. They are proud to bring their own notebooks and pencils to school.”

In photo: These are the teachers Kit and Back to School distributed to the Teachers, Volunteer Teacher and Learners.
Photo by: Hadjara Umpong- Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN) Inc.

According to Hasna, receiving a Teacher’s Kit was a meaningful support to her work as a teacher, as it helped strengthen her teaching activities at the annex school. While she also receives learning materials from her mother school, Lower Bagoenged Elementary School, the additional supplies complemented existing resources and allowed her to better respond to the needs of her learners. She expressed her appreciation for the added support, noting how it enhanced her ability to conduct daily lessons.

“I am grateful for the ACCESS project. The support has helped address some of the challenges we previously faced due to the lack of basic teaching materials. With the Teacher’s Kit, we are better equipped to carry out our teaching responsibilities,” Hasna recalled.

In photo: Students with their Learner’s Kit from ACCESS (Photo courtesy of Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN)

The assistance extended beyond Hasna herself. With access to adequate learning materials, children became more motivated to attend classes, even after repeated disruptions caused by flooding. For a community where education is often the first casualty of crisis, the support helped restore routine, reinforce learning, and sustain hope for both teachers and learners alike.

ACCESS is a European Union Humanitarian Aid-funded project serving the most affected and underserved communities in the Philippines, where chronic armed conflict, natural hazards, recurrent displacement, and intensifying climate-related risks continue to threaten lives and livelihoods. It is implemented by a consortium of 14 local and international organizations: ACCORD, Action Against Hunger Philippines, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN), Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), Oxfam Pilipinas, People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network (PDRRN), Plan International Pilipinas, Save the Children Philippines, United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), and United Youth of the Philippines – Women (UnYPhil-Women).  

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Building a Zero-Waste Future Starts with Awareness, and with Children

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SURIGAO DEL NORTE ─ As January closes and Zero Waste Month in the Philippines comes to an end, communities in Siargao Island are reflecting on a simple but important lesson: building a resilient, green economy begins with awareness, and it needs to start early.

In island communities facing increasing climate risks, unmanaged waste affects daily life in tangible ways. It blocks drainage systems, contributes to flooding during heavy rains, threatens public health, and complicates disaster preparedness efforts. These realities explain why the Siargao Green Economy Project places solid waste management at the center of its climate resilience and green economy approach, focusing not only on systems and policies, but also on everyday practices and decision-making at the community level.

Why waste awareness matters for climate resilience

Improving solid waste management is one of the most direct ways communities can reduce environmental and disaster risks. When waste is not properly segregated or disposed of, it often ends up in waterways and low-lying areas, increasing flood risks during typhoons and periods of intense rainfall. For island municipalities like those in Siargao, these impacts are felt more frequently as climate conditions become less predictable.

Addressing these risks requires more than infrastructure. It requires changes in how people understand waste and how they manage it in their homes, schools, and communities.

In support of the national Zero Waste Month theme, “R.A. 9003 at 25: Honoring our Past, Renewing Commitments, Innovating for a Cleaner Tomorrow,” Action Against Hunger, through the Siargao Green Economy Project conducted an awareness campaign on Waste Characterization and Management as part of the project’s behavior change and communication strategy. The campaign incorporated discussions on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and gender equality, reflecting the project’s integrated approach to resilience and sustainability.

What is R.A. 9003?

Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, provides the legal framework for solid waste management in the Philippines. It emphasizes waste reduction at source, segregation, recycling, composting, reuse, and resource recovery, while prohibiting incineration.

The law places responsibility on local government units and encourages participation from communities and the private sector. It also highlights the role of education and public awareness by integrating waste management principles into both formal and non-formal learning settings.

Source: Philippine Environment Partnership Program, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Inside the Awareness Campaign

The campaign reached elementary students, teaching and non-teaching staff, and barangay representatives in Barangays Baybay, Matin-ao, San Matero, and Bitaug in Burgos, Surigao del Norte, through activities conducted on January 20 to 21, 2026. The sessions were implemented with support from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).

During the sessions, students were introduced to waste characterization and management, the key provisions of Republic Act No. 9003, and the basic principles of the circular economy. Facilitators used examples familiar to the students, such as common household and school waste, to explain how waste can pose risks when unmanaged and how some materials can still have value when properly segregated and reused.

Students participated in pre- and post-test activities, where they identified different types of waste and practiced classifying them into appropriate categories. These exercises surfaced a shared realization among many students: waste is not a single category, and each type carries different environmental, health, and safety implications.

A short quiz followed, during which students shared their answers aloud and discussed them with classmates and facilitators. Questions raised during these exchanges allowed facilitators to clarify concepts related to segregation, disposal, and the links between waste management and disaster risks.

The campaign also included a creative activity, where students produced posters and slogans inspired by the Zero Waste Month 2026 theme. Through drawing and short messages, students expressed how they understood waste reduction and environmental responsibility. Selected outputs will be refined and used in future Information, Education, and Communication materials, extending the reach of the activity beyond the schools.

Why start with children?

In photo: Florencio Betonio, Jr. of Barangay Bitaug and the students of Bitaug Elementary School. (Photo by Conie Isabel Ann Canto for Action Against Hunger)

Engaging children is a deliberate choice. Schools are spaces where habits and values are formed early. By introducing students to waste classification, segregation, and the links between waste, flooding, and health, the project works toward changes that can influence both school environments and household practices over time.

Teacher Marysol Astorbia, Head Teacher and School-in-Charge of Bitaug Elementary School, shared her perspective on the activity:

“School is not only a place for learning but also a home for discipline and responsibility. Through proper waste management, students learn the value of cleanliness, order, and care for the environment. This is a significant step toward a well-managed school.”

She also noted that revisiting waste management concepts helped reinforce lessons that students may have encountered before, underlining the need for regular and consistent awareness activities.

In photos (from left) are Mr. Racky Dryn D. Buenavista, students of Bitaug Elementary School and Ma’am Marysol A. Estorbia, Head Teacher-I/ School-In-Charge (Photo by Conie Ann Isabel Canto)

Did You Know?

    • Mismanaged solid waste can increase flood risks by blocking waterways, particularly in coastal and island municipalities. The Philippines generates approximately 35,580 tons of waste daily. According to the Solid Waste Management Status Report (2008–2018), waste generation reached 18.05 million tons in 2020 and is projected to increase to 23.61 million tons by 2025. (Source: Climate Transparency Platform)
    • Children often bring waste management practices learned in school back to their households, influencing how families manage waste at home. According to the World Bank, solid waste management systems often succeed or fail because of how people behave, not simply because of the technology in place. Practices such as segregation, recycling, composting, and waste reduction are shaped by people’s knowledge, attitudes, social norms, convenience, and the incentives available to them.

Awareness as a Foundation for Action

The campaign also highlighted the role of local leadership in sustaining waste management efforts. Barangay representatives participated alongside students and school staff, reinforcing the idea that responsibility for waste management extends beyond individual households.

“Awareness is the first step toward positive change,” shared Florencio Betonio, Jr., a representative of Barangay Bitaug. “What we have learned today should not end here. It should guide our actions, influence our decisions, and encourage us to share this knowledge with others.”

This perspective reflects the project’s approach, where awareness informs behavior, behavior supports systems, and functioning systems contribute to community resilience.

Linking waste management to a Green Economy

The Siargao Green Economy Project goes beyond waste reduction alone. It supports the development of circular economy solutions, strengthens local governance, and engages communities, women, and private sector actors in building resource-efficient and climate-resilient local economies.

By integrating gender equality, disaster risk reduction, and climate change considerations into waste awareness activities, the project situates environmental action within everyday community realities.

As Zero Waste Month comes to a close, these efforts continue. Awareness campaigns such as this contribute to stronger waste management practices, safer communities, and a future for Siargao where environmental responsibility is part of daily life, beginning at a young age.

About the Project

The Siargao Green Economy Project is implemented by Action Against Hunger Philippines with funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

The project fosters climate resilience and green economies in Siargao Island through inclusive, gender-transformative governance, strengthened solid waste management systems, and circular economy initiatives—supporting communities in building a more sustainable and resilient future.

25 Years of Action Against Hunger in the Philippines: Carrying Hunger Solutions into 2026

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As we enter 2026, Action Against Hunger marks 25 years of humanitarian action in the Philippines—a journey shaped by conflict, disasters, climate risks, and the resilience of the communities we serve.

Our work in the country began in 2000, responding to the urgent needs of families displaced by conflict in Central Mindanao. From the outset, Mindanao has been central to our presence and identity, grounding our approach in complex, fragile, and climate-vulnerable contexts.

Communities near Rio Grande de Mindanao (Photo by Martin San Diego for Action Against Hunger)

What began as emergency, life-saving assistance has since evolved into an integrated portfolio that combines humanitarian response, resilience building, and systems strengthening across the country. Throughout this journey, our purpose has remained unchanged: to save lives, reduce hunger, and address the root causes of vulnerability.

Super typhoon Uwan emergency response in Catanduanes in late 2025.

Adapting to a changing humanitarian landscape

Over the past two and a half decades, the Philippines has faced recurring and increasingly complex crises—from armed conflict and large-scale displacement to devastating typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and public health emergencies. Action Against Hunger has played a critical role in major humanitarian responses, including but not limited to Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, the Marawi Crisis in 2017, the COVID-19 pandemic, Typhoon Odette (Rai) in 2021, Typhoon Kristine (Trami) in 2024, earthquakes in Cebu and Davao, and Typhoons Tino (Kalmaegi) and Uwan (Fung-Wong) in 2025.

Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) emergency response in 2013. Photo by Daniel Burgui

In each of these emergencies, our response adapted to scale and context—delivering timely support in water, sanitation and hygiene, food security, nutrition, health, shelter, and protection. In Mindanao, where conflict and climate shocks often intersect, our sustained presence has enabled rapid response while ensuring continuity of support for communities experiencing repeated displacement and disruption.

As crises became more frequent and protracted, our approach evolved. Beyond immediate response, we expanded into early recovery, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation—recognizing that communities facing repeated shocks need durable, forward-looking solutions alongside emergency aid.

From response to resilience: integrated programming nationwide

Today, Action Against Hunger’s work in the Philippines spans Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Food Security and Livelihoods; Health and Nutrition; Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation; Protection; and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. In conflict-affected and underserved areas—particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao—we place strong emphasis on strengthening health and nutrition systems and improving access to inclusive, quality services.

Gender equality and social inclusion are embedded across all sectors, ensuring that women, indigenous peoples, and marginalized groups are not only reached but actively involved in decision-making, recovery, and leadership within their communities.

Emergency response in Porac, Pampanga for IP communities that were affected by multiple storms that hit Central Luzon in July 2025. (Photo by Joyce Sandajan for Action Against Hunger)

Reaching nearly one million people in the last five years

Between 2021 and 2025, Action Against Hunger reached more than 980,000 people across the Philippines through multisectoral humanitarian and resilience programming, with some overlap across sectors.

Support during this period focused on:

  • Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene
  • Food security and livelihood recovery
  • Disaster risk reduction and preparedness
  • Nutrition and health services
  • Emergency shelter, protection, and education in emergencies

Thousands of people displaced by disasters received immediate assistance through rapid-response mechanisms that delivered life-saving support within 24 to 72 hours of displacement. These rapid interventions helped families meet urgent needs with dignity while supporting early recovery.

In photo: EARTH champions of Action Against Hunger’s EARTH project plant the mangrove propagules.

At the same time, recent years have marked a clear shift toward resilience-oriented programming. Initiatives such as MOVE UP, Resilient IsLA, iPrepared, EARTH, and the Siargao Green Economy projects reflect this transition—supporting communities in diversifying livelihoods, strengthening preparedness, and reducing disaster risks before crises strike. Through climate field schools, community savings groups, household dialogues, and support to local planning processes, we work with communities and local governments to build capacities that endure beyond project cycles.

Strengthening humanitarian action through partnerships

Beyond direct implementation, Action Against Hunger plays an active role in strengthening humanitarian systems and partnerships—working alongside local, national, regional, and global actors to improve coordination, share expertise, and advance more effective and inclusive responses.

As part of its commitment to advancing innovative and inclusive responses, the organization has been hosting the regional office of the CALP Network in Asia-Pacific for three years now. The CALP Network provides coordination, technical guidance, and policy support to organizations implementing or exploring cash and voucher assistance, helping improve the quality, scale, and effectiveness of cash-based responses across the region.

All of our efforts are reinforced through collaboration with institutional donors—including EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation—as well as partnerships with private sector actors such as Adisseo, Grab, Mastercard, and Metrobank. Local partners such as the Integrated Mindanaoans Association for Natives, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress, Center for Disaster Preparedness, ACCORD Inc., and the Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People, play critical roles in ensuring programs are responsive, contextualized, and community-led.

In photo: Action Against Hunger staff and partners from the Center for Disaster Preparedness conduct a hygiene promotion seesion for the children of the daycare center learning the importance of proper hygiene practices (Photo by Alexane Simon for Action Against Hunger)

2025: responding to compounding crises while strengthening systems

The year 2025 highlighted the compounding nature of humanitarian needs in the Philippines.

Action Against Hunger responded to successive storms in Central Luzon, flooding in BARMM, intense earthquakes in Davao and Cebu, and powerful typhoons affecting communities in Masbate, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and other high-risk areas. Across these responses, teams worked closely with local authorities and humanitarian partners to deliver timely assistance while supporting early recovery and preparedness.

Super typhoon Uwan emergency response in Masbate in September 2025.

Simultaneously, progress continued in strengthening local systems. In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Action Against Hunger formalized collaboration with regional authorities, including the Ministry of Social Services and Development, to improve coordinated crisis response and longer-term social service delivery. Partnerships with UN agencies, particularly UNICEF, strengthened the capacity of health, early childhood, and community facilities to deliver essential nutrition, health, and WASH services.

Super typhoon Uwan emergency response in Catanduanes.

Elsewhere, programs in Siargao focused on strengthening water and sanitation systems, promoting preparedness, and advancing circular economy initiatives. In urban and coastal communities in Malabon and Zamboanga, EU-supported initiatives empowered communities to lead nature-based solutions that reduce environmental risks while supporting sustainable livelihoods.

Looking ahead: commitment beyond 25 years

After 25 years in the Philippines, Action Against Hunger remains committed to sustained engagement in fragile, conflict-affected, and climate-vulnerable contexts—particularly in Mindanao, where humanitarian, development, and resilience needs continue to intersect.

As we move into 2026, we carry forward the lessons of the past while strengthening partnerships and approaches that respond to emergencies and build resilience. Working alongside communities, institutions, and donors, we remain focused on saving lives, reducing hunger, and supporting a more resilient future in an increasingly uncertain world.

 

From Research to Resilience: A New Partnership for Climate Action in Zamboanga City

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ZAMBOANGA CITY ─ Action Against Hunger and Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU) have formalized a partnership under the Environmental Actions for Resilience and Transformative Humanitarian Interventions (EARTH) Project to advance science-driven, community-led climate solutions in Zamboanga City.

Led by Action Against Hunger and funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, EARTH is a pilot initiative that integrates environmental safeguarding and ecosystem restoration into humanitarian action.

Through this collaboration, academic expertise and humanitarian practice come together to design, test, and implement nature-based solutions, including rainwater harvesting systems, mangrove nurseries, floating wetlands, and improved waste management infrastructure.

The partnership strengthens research, capacity building, and shared learning to ensure that innovations are evidence-based, locally owned, and scalable. By linking people-centered approaches with environmental action, EARTH aims to reduce climate and environmental risks, restore critical ecosystems, and strengthen the resilience of coastal and urban communities.

Photo by Engel Merl De Villa

The project is co-implemented with CARE Philippines and ACCORD in Malabon City, contributing to shared learning and models that can be adapted and replicated in other urban contexts nationwide.

About EARTH

The Environmental Actions for Resilience and Transformative Humanitarian Interventions (EARTH) project is a pilot initiative that integrates environmental safeguarding and restoration strategies into humanitarian action in the cities of Zamboanga and Malabon. Implemented by Action Against Hunger, CARE Philippines, and ACCORD, and funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, the two-year, community-led project strengthens urban resilience through people-centered, multisectoral, nature-based solutions.

EARTH promotes a nature-based solution model that integrates mangrove reforestation, solid waste management, water conservation, and sustainable livelihoods—reducing environmental risks while restoring vital ecosystems.

Held by hope: Two stories of survival during Typhoon Tino

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Held by hope: Two stories of survival during Typhoon Tino

Razell, 33, and their family friend Kyle, 14, live in Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu with their families. When Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) struck their community, they never imagined that the nearby watercourse would overflow so quickly, washing away homes in the community, destroying most of their belongings, and jeopardizing lives.

The 3rd of November, 2025 is a night they will remember for the rest of their lives. Razell and Kyle recall their experiences of that night, and how they struggled to save themselves and the people they care about. Through their stories, Razell and Kyle offer two perspectives on the same life-threatening event, capturing fear, resilience, and survival in the face of unimaginable danger.

Razell’s fight to keep her family alive

In photo: Razell shares her story with Action Against Hunger staff from the night Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) struck her community. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

COMPOSTELA, CEBU – Razell, 33, lives in Barangay Cabadiangan with her two daughters. In the height of Typhoon Tino’s storm surge, her youngest daughter, Scarlett, was quickly swept away by the floodwaters while trying to reach a shelter located in an elevated area of their community. Razell managed to take refuge on a neighbor’s roof. From there, she watched in fear as Kyle, a 14-year-old family friend, bravely risked his own life to save her daughter.

Razell lives with her two daughters in their home in the municipality of Compostela, Cebu. The family usually manages on their own, as Razell’s husband works as a seafarer and spends most of the year away from home, sending money to support the family. Alongside caring for her household, Razell works remotely as a virtual assistant and earns additional income by baking cakes on commission. When Typhoon Tino struck, her husband was working outside Cebu and was not there when the disaster occurred.

In the early hours of the morning, Razell was alone with her daughters when their lives were suddenly put at risk by the tragedy that was about to happen.

The night Typhoon Tino struck

It was around 2 in the morning on the 4th of November 2025 when Typhoon Tino started tearing through their community, Razell recalls. She and her daughters were asleep when strong winds and heavy rain woke them suddenly. “My eldest daughter began crying and shaking in fear, calling out for her father,” Razell recalls. The family was unable to go back to sleep as the storm intensified.

When floodwater began seeping into their home, they tried to lift their belongings onto cabinets and drawers, hoping the water would not rise any higher. But the nearby river quickly overflowed, and the water continued to climb at an alarming pace.

Realizing the danger was becoming real, Razell decided to evacuate immediately. She took her daughters and rushed to the nearby house of her sister, Roxane, hoping it would be safer. They reached Roxane’s house before help arrived, but the floodwaters followed them faster than expected. Within two hours, the water surged even higher, swallowing the house and turning the surrounding area into a powerful, fast-moving current.

As conditions worsened, Kyle, a 14-year-old family friend who lived in a higher part of the community, arrived with Razell’s cousin to help evacuate those trapped in the house. Kyle immediately stepped in to help everyone get out. He first assisted Razell’s eldest daughter and Roxane, helping them move toward an uphill area where the water was less dangerous.

Scarlett, Razell’s younger daughter, was still inside Roxane’s house with her mother, waiting for her turn to be brought to safety. Seeing how dangerous the situation had become, Razell insisted that her cousin and Kyle focus entirely on getting Scarlett out first, even if it meant leaving her behind.

As Kyle and the cousin attempted to bring Scarlett to the safer area, a powerful surge of floodwater struck without warning. In a matter of seconds, they were violently separated. Razell was no longer with them when it happened. She later saw her cousin clinging to a coconut tree, fighting to save his own life, while Kyle and Scarlett were swept away by the rushing water and disappeared into the darkness.

“At that moment, I didn’t care about the house or my belongings, even though many pivotal things were in there,” Razell shares. “My life and my daughters’ lives were more important.”

In photo: Razell and her daughter Scarlett share their stories with Action Against Hunger staff from the night Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) struck their community. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

By around 5 a.m., Razell managed to climb onto the roof of a neighboring house. From there, she witnessed people desperately clinging to coconut trees as floodwaters raged below. “At first, I thought it was strange,” she says. “I asked myself, are people going to get coconuts now? Then I realized they were clinging to survive. I was shocked.”

n photo: personal belongings soaked in mud next to Razell’s sister’s house in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi). Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

In the darkness, she caught sight of Kyle and Scarlett again, struggling in the water. “When I opened my eyes, I saw Kyle and Scarlett, and they were sinking,” she recalls. Believing she was witnessing their final moments, Razell prayed relentlessly. “I thought they were dead. I thought they were gone.”

The wind continued to strengthen, bamboo trees were uprooted, and debris crashed into houses. Standing on the roof, Razell feared it might collapse beneath her. Between 6 and 9 a.m., the floodwaters slowly began to recede. The wind weakened, but the cold was unbearable. “I kept praying out loud even though I had no voice,” she says.

When she saw residents moving around with ropes to rescue survivors, hope returned. “I thought, someone made it alive,” Razell recalls. “I prayed that the survivor would be my daughter.”

When she finally learned that Scarlett had survived, she could hardly believe it. After being swept away, Scarlett had been lifted onto a pomelo tree by Kyle, where she stayed until help arrived. “In that moment, I felt the biggest joy a parent could ever feel,” Razell says. “It was truly a miracle.”

During the chaos of that night, Razell also saw her older brother, Rodel, as his house began to collapse. “I saw him fall into the floodwaters and disappear,” she remembers. Thankfully, he managed to climb onto a large tree and survive. After the ordeal, all family members were accounted for.

In photo: Action Against Hunger staff walks with Razell towards what now remains of her house destroyed by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) Their old house in Compostela, Cebu, now a pile of debris covered in a blue tarp. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Life after the storm and the road to recovery

In the days following the disaster, the challenges continued for Razell and her family. From an emotional point of view, the trauma of the event was still present, according to Razell. Scarlett, her youngest daughter, did not speak for several days after what happened.

Their home had been completely washed away; they had no clean and dry clothes. According to Razell, the loss of undergarments, made it especially difficult for the women in the community to manage their menstrual needs: “Since we no longer had any underwear, we had to attach the disposable pads directly to the only dry pair of trousers we had left.” Nevertheless, despite the initial difficulties, she recalls volunteers distributing disposable pads days after Typhoon Tino struck.

“Immediately after the typhoon, we badly needed water and dry clothes. That was the priority for my family… My house was destroyed. Everything I had spent my money on [for income], like my baking tools and my laptop, was gone.”

To seek support, she decided then to go with her daughters to her husband’s family house in Compostela, and they were provided with dry clothes and safe water. “Immediately after the typhoon, we badly needed water and dry clothes. That was the priority for my family.”

“My house was destroyed. Everything I had spent my money on, like my baking tools and my laptop, was gone,” she said, expressing particular sadness over the loss of these belongings since before the typhoon, which were a means to gain income.

With financial help from friends and family, she managed to have her laptop repaired, a crucial tool for her work. “Today, one month after the typhoon, is my first day working again after what has happened.”

With the cash assistance received from Action Against Hunger, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Razell was able to buy groceries, spices, fruits, meat, and replace lost essential items such as shoes, clothes, and underwear. “We were able to buy something nutritious and get a varied diet instead of instant noodles, which had started to irritate our mouths,” she says. She shared everything she bought with her entire family, even though for weeks, she admits: “We struggled with appetite loss due to the trauma of what we had endured.”

In photo: Razell walks into what remains of her house destroyed by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) in Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

In photo: Razell and her daughter Scarlett beside their home comfort room destroyed by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) in Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

With the support received from friends and organizations such as Action Against Hunger, Razell was able to recover from what she and her family had to endure that night.

“I am aware that without this support, my family’s recovery would have been slower and more difficult.”

In photo: Razell and her daughters share their stories with Action Against Hunger staff from the night Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) struck their community. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Looking ahead, Razell hopes to rebuild her home and return to a sense of normalcy. Currently, she and her daughter’s are staying with her sister, Roxanne. She plans to purchase materials to reconstruct their house and continue providing nutritious food for her daughters as they slowly heal from the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino.

 

A young life saves another: Kyle’s story of courage

In photo: Kyle in front of his house in Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Kyle, a 14-year-old Grade 8 student, lives with his family of nine in the elevated part of Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu. His family has long shared a close bond with Razell’s family. On the night Typhoon Tino struck, Kyle was in a relatively safe area, away from the rising floodwaters. Even so, he made the conscious decision to go back down to help others, choosing to put their safety above his own.

Kyle’s household is composed of nine members, including six sisters and his parents. His father works in construction on an on-call basis to support the family, facing several challenges in providing a stable monthly income, while his mother takes care of the home. They live in a house situated in an elevated part of their community. Normally, his daily life as a 14-year-old grade 8 student is quite simple. He spends most of his time at school, where he serves as a class representative, and playing basketball with his friends, his favorite sport.

In photo: The uphill path to the Kyle family house in Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

When the floodwaters began to rise that night, Kyle’s first instinct was to check on his own family. They live in the uphill part of the barangay, and after making sure they were safe, Kyle headed back downhill. He wanted to check on their motorcycle, but when he reached it, he saw it was already floating in the floodwater.

Realizing how serious the situation had become, Kyle went straight to the nearby house of Roxane, Razell’s sister, where several family members had gathered. The water was rising fast. Without hesitation, Kyle began helping people evacuate. He assisted Roxane and Razell’s eldest daughter through the floodwaters and brought them to higher ground near his home.

After escorting them to safety, Kyle went back again. The water was already at neck level, and the ground was slippery and muddy. He saw Razell’s cousin struggling to move with Scarlett, Razell’s younger daughter.

In photo: Razell and Kyle share their stories with Action Against Hunger staff about the night Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) struck their community. The discussion takes place near Kyle’s uphill house, where he evacuated the people, he managed to save. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

Conditions were extremely dangerous, but Kyle did not turn back.

While they were struggling to move uphill because of the slippery and muddy ground, a strong surge of water struck them and violently separated them from the rest of the group. Scarlett was quickly swept away by the strong current.

“He truly risked his own life. He never left Scarlett alone. I thought my daughter was already gone, but he saved her life.” – Razell

Kyle did not hesitate. He immediately swam after her and managed to reach her in the rushing water. For a moment, they climbed onto a damaged piggery structure, but it collapsed and was carried away, pulling them back under. “It was very hard to stay afloat because the water current was so strong,” Kyle recalls.

Still holding Scarlett tightly, Kyle reached a coconut tree and clung to it as the floodwaters continued to surge. In his mind, there was only one thought: “I will secure Scarlett’s life even if I will die.”

Kyle then lifted Scarlett onto a nearby pomelo tree to keep her safe. Afraid the branches would break if they both climbed at once, he stayed below at first, holding onto a floating tree trunk. Eventually, he found support and climbed up beside her. They remained there together as the water slowly began to subside. “I remember the water being very cold,” Kyle mentioned. “With our clothes soaked, we were freezing.”

In photo: Kyle points to the pomelo tree he climbed and lifted Scarlett onto to save her life when Typhoon Tino struck their community in Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu. Photo by Pive Flor Tabique for Action Against Hunger.

When the floodwaters finally receded, their families and neighbors searched for a rope and were able to rescue them.

Later, Razell described Kyle as a real-life hero. “I can’t imagine burying my own daughter,” she said. “He truly risked his own life. He never left Scarlett alone. I thought my daughter was already gone, but he saved her life.”

Challenges and recovery after Typhoon Tino

More than a month later, Kyle shares that he still experiences trauma from heavy rain and remains constantly afraid that the same terrifying night could happen again. At such a young age, it was the first time he had ever experienced anything like that, let alone saved lives.

Kyle returned to school two weeks after the typhoon. Among his classmates, he was the only one who experienced such extreme flooding, as most had pre-emptively evacuated. His family had not evacuated ahead of the typhoon, believing they were safe because their house was in an uphill area and expecting only strong winds.

In photo: Kyle in front of his house in Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

In the aftermath, volunteers distributed food to affected families, and neighbors shared what little they had. The solidarity within the community helped them survive the difficult days that followed.

“I would be happy to do any job that allows me to save people’s lives during emergencies.” – Kyle

Despite this, Kyle’s family continues to face challenges since their house has no proper bathroom, and the roof was badly damaged by the typhoon’s strong winds.

To assist in their recovery, Kyle’s family received cash assistance from Action Against Hunger, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). They plan to use the support to repair their roof, buy nutritious food such as meat and fruits, and replace essential items, including clothes and shoes lost during the disaster.

Looking ahead, Kyle hopes to move beyond the trauma and return to what he loves most: going to school and playing basketball. “I would like to become a professional basketball player on the Philippine national team,” he says. “That is my dream. Or I would be happy to do any job that allows me to save people’s lives during emergencies.”

Despite the fear and trauma left by that night, Kyle continues to move forward with quiet determination. Supported by his family, his community, and the assistance they received after the typhoon, he is slowly reclaiming a sense of normalcy.

In photo: Kyle shares his experience during the night he and others almost lost their lives to Typhoon Tino. Photo by Martina Vercoli for Action Against Hunger.

What happened during Typhoon Tino will always be part of his story, but it does not define his future. For him, the path ahead is one of healing, learning, and holding on to the same courage that led him to protect another life when it mattered most.

Written and Photos by: Martina Vercoli
Edited by: Joyce Sandajan
Contributor: Pive Flor Tabique