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The Enormous Flood that Ruined the Calumpiteños
16 Comments | Posted by Kelvin Servigon in Photography, Thoughts
Calumpit is one of the most peaceful towns in Bulacan. It is the place where I grew up. I love Calumpit. I love my hometown.
But this past weeks, our beloved Calumpit turned into a dark, miserable place. Why? First, we got wet, literally. The water released by huge dams here in northern Philippines overflowed from Nueva Ecija to Pampanga and up to our home province, Bulacan. Yeah, the disgusting smell, the dirty water, and dark mud swimming around our houses. This was the only time, again, that we had experienced a devastating calamity after so many years.
Last Monday, October 13, 2009, the electricity was shut down because one of the electrical wires was accidentally dropped into the floods. That’s harmful so the officials decided to just turn down the main switch of whole network of electricity in almost half of all Calumpit’s barangays, including the barangay where we live. Without electricity for almost 5 days? Damn! We’re just like living in a mountain without any urbanization at all! Whew, but I am happy that we passed that 5 days without electricity. At least, I know that I can leave without my computer and internet access. He-he-he. Ok, move on.
When we got free time, me with my cousins went to the dike where many rescuers stationed. There were so many people looking at the flood made by two typhoons. There were media people, too!
Here are some photos taken with my Canon EOS 1000D:
This is the Pampanga river, the overflowing Pampanga river | Photo by Kelvin Servigon
An almost sunken house | Photo by Kelvin Servigon
At the far left, you should see the road there but now, it was flooded| Photo by Kelvin Servigon
The rescuers risking their own lives to save more lives | Photo by Kelvin Servigon
Because of the severely flooded road, the main transportation here is the boat | Photo by Kelvin Servigon
With those photos, you’ll see how the two typhoon played in our town. As of now, I am safe, our whole family is safe. But our fellow Calumpiteños severly need help. Fellow Filipinos, please help them. They badly need help.
16 Comments for The Enormous Flood that Ruined the Calumpiteños
Mars | October 17, 2009 at 9:46 pm
patty | October 17, 2009 at 10:22 pm
it seems that the whole town turned into river. i hope everyone there is better now!:)
Heather Kephart | October 17, 2009 at 10:37 pm
WOW! Gripping photos.
So glad you and your family are okay. All that time without internet access – *shudder*
TSI | October 17, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Shots were detailed but felt a certain sadness when I saw those images, good to know you’re back on the stream.
Maki | October 18, 2009 at 12:40 am
Wow, the main road looked more like a swamp 
I’m glad you along with your family are ok there.
Holly Jahangiri | October 18, 2009 at 2:59 am
Glad you have your power back! I wish it were so easy and quick to deal with the rest of the clean-up. We realized, after Hurricane Ike, that electricity was second after blessedly hot, clean water (even cold, clean water). I’m talkin’ showers. Drinking water. You can survive on cold pop-tarts, and if it’s hot enough to generate hurricanes and typhoons, you can survive without heat (though without A/C is TOUGH). But water for washing up keeps you feeling human.
I like the captions on your photos, Kelvin. Helps to put them into context. One good thing about disaster is the way it brings out the good in people – neighbors helping neighbors, even if they normally go years without speaking to each other, like strangers.
Author comment by Kelvin | October 19, 2009 at 11:51 pm
@patty
ur ryt., we’re lucky that we’re safe here.
@Heather Kephart
ur ryt… without internet access is a torture!
@Tsi
hehe, thanks tsi! 
@Maki
oo, grabe talaga… Thanks!
@Holly Jahangiri
We’re just hoping that this disaster will not come here anymore (but that’s impossible). Yeah, that’s the good thing, you’ll know who you can depend on in times of crisis like this.
DiTesco | October 20, 2009 at 3:18 am
Hi Kelvin. I’m really late in posting this comment but I still want to let you know that I am glad that you and your family are all okay. My birth Mother still lives in Manila and I can understand the anguish of having to go through this natural disasters. Anyway, I hope its gone…
jan geronimo | October 20, 2009 at 11:45 am
Five long days without electricity. That’s hellish condition. At least for me. Count yourself lucky – you’re alive, your family is well. And no flood waters came barging in to take away your techie treasures, including your pc. *shudders at the thought*
Great shots, Kelvin. You’re fast becoming a photoblogger/photojourno. What an unfair advantage over us ordinary bloggers. LOL
Heather Kephart | October 20, 2009 at 7:05 am
WOW! Gripping photos.
So glad you and your family are okay. All that time without internet access – *shudder*
robjune | October 21, 2009 at 6:19 am
there are so many bloggers who are
roaming around nowadays…
continue showing your writing prowess
if fate permits;
you might out stand…..
such a good (time will come,-prominent)
member of the youth…
robjune_,)
robjune | October 21, 2009 at 6:23 am
there are so many bloggers
that are roaming around nowadays;
continue showing your writing prowess,
if fate permits,
you might outstand…
such a good (time will come ~ prominent)
member of today's youth…
good luck….
robjune_ , )
nice shots, but i dont want the subjects, nakakaawa
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