When I was child, I really adored superheroes. They can fly, shoot lasers from their eyes, has superhuman strength, lighting fast speed and even invisibility. As I grew up, I tend to realize that superheroes don’t exist. But last Saturday, September 26, 2009 as the typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) slaughtered Metro Manila, superheroes emerged. Not the typical superheroes with the super powers that I've mentioned above. These heroes are equipped with courage and valor to save those who are trapped in the flood. They are selfless and willing to sacrifice their safety in order to serve those who are in need.
Our first superhero is a lawmaker, Judge Ralph Lee of the Regional Trial Court Branch 83. He is from Novaliches. When he heard from the news that floods are rampaging the neighboring communities, he rushed from his Fairview home, packed with his Jet ski, some life vests with 2 rubber boats and set unto the flooded areas. (These equipments are used for his wakeboarding hobby.) He then lead a campaign to save 100 lives. During his heroic expedition, Judge Lee recalled that his Jet ski flipped over, sending him and his passengers into the 10 ft deep water. He used the life vests and rubber boats to transport people back and fort, out of danger and into safety till his jet ski broke. People applauded and cheered him as he strolls down saving people. Together with his son, Ram, he tirelessly helped people from afternoon till midnight. It took the judge 20 trips to save 100 people.
I never really adored Aquaman. For me, he is the superhero that has crappy powers which only works when he is on the water. But the construction worker Muelmar Magallanes gave me second thoughts about Aquaman. He is from Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. He saved his 3 younger siblings by tying a rope around his waist and attached them to him. Muelmar then swam and fought the rampaging flood current, leading his siblings to a safer and higher ground. He then went back to save his parents. After saving his family, he was worried that there are people still trapped in the roofs. Being a strong swimmer like Aquaman, Muelmar came back for these people. He made many trips to save 30 lives from drowning. Tired and cold, Muelmar was back with his family on higher ground when he heard a woman screaming. The woman was being swept away by the current with her 6 month old baby. Fighting and screaming while holding on a Styrofoam box fighting for their lives. Mulemar came out of nowhere and plunged into the water to save the woman and her baby. Our hero then lead the woman and her baby to the higher ground, but was swept away by the strong current due to exhaustion. The neighbors found
Muelmar's body on Sunday, September 27, 2009 along with 28 others who perished in the flooding. This is really an act of bravery, heroism and charity which only superheroes are worthy of. We don’t need super powers to help people, we just need the determination and will to perform such feats. Let us all pray for the victims of the Ondoy flood.
