24/03/2026
๐๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐ | ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐-๐๐๐ฒ: ๐ณ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐
One morning, it was home. By nightfall, it was gone. In Balaybay, Castillejos, decades of memories and more than 50 houses vanished in the blink of an eye โ leaving families to face the harsh reality of life without a roof over their heads.
The morning began like any other. A woman from the community was selling goods at the public market to provide for her children when she received a call from one of them in Bicol, warning her about the demolition. At first, she tried to continue her work, but confirmation from another vendor made the reality unavoidable. She quickly wrapped up her stall, arranged for food for her family, and hurried home.
At Balaybay Proper, officials initially blocked her from entering the demolition site. After pleading, she was allowed through, only to witness the destruction firsthand. Homes were being torn down, and belongings were gathered outside faster than anyone could process. The shock of seeing decades of memories dismantled in hours was overwhelming.
As the day turned to night, the family faced the challenge of finding shelter. They moved from place to place, carrying only what belongings they could salvage. Some sought public transportation, while others rested under trees, adjusting to the uncertainty of where they would sleep. By midnight, the chaos had reached its peak. Belongings were spread outside like a fiesta โ colorful and abundant, yet without any celebration. The joy and laughter that usually accompany such sights were absent, replaced by hunger, exhaustion, and uncertainty.
In the weeks that followed, the family has been temporarily staying at a cousinโs house in San Agustin. To survive, she continues selling the same goods she sold at the public market on Tuesdays and Fridays, now also offering them at their church. Every peso counts toward food, transportation, and her childrenโs schooling. The added distance and expenses make daily life more difficult, but she perseveres, determined to maintain some sense of stability for her family.
The experience of displacement has strengthened her resolve. Even amid the uncertainty, she holds onto hope โ hope that one day she can return home, rebuild, and restore what was lost. Her daily efforts reflect more than survival; they embody resilience, courage, and the quiet determination shared by countless families in Balaybay facing similar struggles.
Ultimately, her reflection captures the enduring spirit that has carried her through these darkest moments:
โAng bahay mapapalitan, ang buhay hindi mapapalitan.โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
Written by Joshua Corocoto
Layout by Mary Nathalie Altiche and Romelyn T. Ragudo
