Gov. Lerias gives the media a briefing on what can be expected during the height of the rescue and retrieval operationsfor the residents of Brgy. Guinsaugon who were buried in the mudslide catastrophe on Feb. 17, to which domestic and foreign volunteers worked side by side to retrieve as many survivors as they can.

Catbalogan, Samar — “Real Balikatan took place in Ginsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte!”

This was one of the messages underscored by Governor Rosette Lerias during the memorial service on March 3, 2006 for those who died in a mudslide catastrophe on February 17, 2006.

Speaking before an a big crowd in Barangay Tambis 1 just across the mudslide area, the Governor in a quavering voice thanked all nationals who were present during the rescue and retrieval operations. She thanked the Americans, Indonesians, Malaysians, Spanish, Turkish, Taiwanese and all Filipinos belonging to LGUs, NGOs and NGAs who worked, “arm in arm, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with the local residents for the purpose of saving lives.”

“Help for the people came from land, air and sea,” said the courageous governor who has proven her true leadership mettle in the midst of the tragedy.

“It broke my heart,” referring to the incident, “but the Christian that I am, I am not to question the will of God”. she said in a tearful voice.

“The biggest lesson for all is humility,” she stressed, “No fame, no wealth can we be proud of, we have to serve the Lord in this life we live,” she added.

She said they did the best possible human means to retrieve the bodies. The retrieval operations was called off on Sunday after more than a week of trying to dig for survivors.

Guests led by Senator Richard Gordon, PA Vic Domingo, Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla and Cong. Roger Mercado laid wreaths of flowers and lighted candles at the foot of a 12-foot wooden cross erected in memory of the close to a thousand people who were buried under millions of tons of mud from a gaping portion of Mount Caabag.

Two helicopters hovered above to bless the ‘burial site’ while relatives, friends and other kibitzers trooped across the river to the site to offer candles.

Lerias apologized for others who have helped and were not mentioned because doing so, “would take forever,” she sighed.

Throughout the requiem mass celebrated by Msgr. Precioso Cantillas, tears flowed unabated, more so when singer spouses Lemeuel and Jopie dela Cruz sang “The Prayer” (a song popularized by Celine Dion).

An elderly woman was unable to control herself and fainted, Red Cross volunteers immediately rushed the grieving mother to the tent-hospitals.

The messages delivered had a common tone: unity and oneness in times of disaster and to the words of Gen. Robeson of the US Marines, “ a revered sense of commitment and appreciation for the preciousness of life.” (by Ninfa B. Quirante PIA Samar)