Residents of Balamban, Cebu, are stepping into the new year with resilience, months after Typhoon Tino (Ulysses) brought severe flooding that upended their lives in November 2025. As they continue to rebuild, survivors share stories of fear, community aid, and unwavering hope for 2026.
Stories of Survival and Separation
For Rendon Arcilla, 33, the terror was palpable. Working in Cebu City when the typhoon struck on November 4, 2025, he feared for his family in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Balamban. Heavy floods damaged their home and possessions. He could not reach them immediately as the Trans Central Highway was blocked by multiple landslides.
"When I finally got home after a couple of days, we faced total disruptions to basic necessities like clean water and electricity for weeks," Arcilla recalled in a December 31, 2025 phone interview. His family relied on faith and a positive mindset to recover, aided by medical help, food, and water from various donor groups.
A Community's Path to Recovery
Another survivor, 26-year-old Florence Yu, experienced agonizing uncertainty. Working in Cebu City during the storm's peak, she lost contact with her family in Barangay Baliwagan. "I could not do anything other than to wait and pray," Yu said. She learned they were safe three days later through a childhood friend, but their property was heavily damaged, affecting their livelihood for weeks.
The visual struggle is ongoing, as seen in Barangay Nangka where a mother and child wade through floodwaters while carrying relief goods from donors—a powerful symbol of both hardship and aid.
Looking Forward with Hope and a Call to Action
As the calendar turns to 2026, the survivors' messages are filled with cautious optimism and a call for collective care. Arcilla hopes for good health, happiness, and "unforgettable moments" for his family and fellow survivors. "May 2026 bring new opportunities, positive changes, and joyful surprises," he said.
Yu emphasizes emotional validation and shared responsibility. "It's okay not to be okay. Your feelings are valid," she told fellow victims. "I, too, got angry, sad, frustrated, and cried a lot." She looks forward to a gentler year and stresses accountability in caring for each other and the environment.
SunStar Cebu reached out to Balamban Mayor Amos Cabahug for comment on assistance plans for 2026, but has not yet received a response. The community's journey from the devastation of Typhoon Tino continues, powered by patience, external support, and a resilient spirit ready to face whatever the new year may bring.
