Our IPCAP Debriefing Mission: An Account of Day 2 More Pics

After Lamtang, we were treated by RGC Reynalyn to a sumptuous lunch after which we had our own debriefing. We realized that we came with varying motivations. One of us was a victim of Ondoy in Marikina. She felt so blest by those who helped her rise up after her house was devoured in Provident Village that she sincerely (teary-eyed in fact) realized she can share that blessing by coming along. Some of us just felt the need to reach out. We had one participant whose parents were quite "strict" (read: concerned) that she had to say this was part of her work - which is true! Really, we cannot rest in the thought that we were lucky enough not to be hit so seriously by the typhoons.

I for one realized that one of our Mission statements in the IPCAP papers we submitted to the SEC for registration as an organization of professional counselors led to this outreach/mission. If my rephrasing were right, it was supposed to be this way: IPCAP will serve the needs and interests of the professional members in their practice. Hence, this outreach was meant for those who needed company in their journey of doing professional guidance and counseling in their respective fields, as well providing for them their needs. Debriefing was one of those we felt so strongly about and confident to provide.

After lunch, we headed for La Trinidad, the worst hit of all places in Baguio. We saw the phenomenal landslide that washed down houses. Just look at the pics here and the subsequent ones after this blog entry.










We were all speechless. It was as if our lives were likewise taken away from us. Kalooy gyud sa mga tawo didto, Day. Ipangadye intawon sila nga mahibawo sila magbantay ug ayuhon ilahang libong, magtanum gyud na unta sila didto ug daghan pang mga puno aron di na mausab kining grabeng trahedya gajud. May they rest in peace, those who perished in the dark night of Oct. 8, 2009. Their bodies were brought to a nearby school, the Puguis Elementary School where we were given the chance to do debriefing to the Principal himself. He was simply so candid and open, helping us see for ourselves the need for a better Disaster Management Approach, another Guidance and Counseling advocacy we can spearhead.