A senior citizen’s hope of getting up again after the Taal Volcano eruption.

Their new home is totally different.

Venus Anillo, 69, lives with his family in a temporary shelter in Brgy. Talaibon in Ibaan, Batangas Province. It’s been more than a month now that they have been adjusting to the life in one of the row houses in a community with other families affected by the Taal Volcano eruption last January 12.

Previously, Venus spent all his years in their home in Brgy. Alas-as, San Nicolas, which is located in the volcano island. He is used to a remote and simple life contrary to this new community where there are activities and visitors every now and then.

Back in the island, he can rely on the lake to earn something. Here, he is somehow clueless where he can depend on to earn a living.

Regardless of these differences however, Venus knows he has no other way but to move forward.

Finding a direction

“Hindi ko na alam, natabunan na (referring to his home in the island). Tanggap na namin na wala na kaming babalikan,” shared Venus.

Instead of feeling helpless, Venus has plans. But he needs help to make these happen.

As a senior citizen, he knows he will find it hard to find a job, especially that his skills revolve around fishing and cooking only.

“May nag-aalok na dito noong nakaraan ng trabaho sa isang bakery, kaso sa ibang probinsya pa,” said Venus, who added that he is already old and does not want to be far away from his family any longer.

In this new home, he stays with his 69-year-old wife, one of his eight children and one grandson.

“Kaya kong kumita ulit dito. Magluluto ako ng mga kakanin at mga lutong ulam na ibebenta ko dito. Sa sobrang daming tao dito ngayon, tiyak na may bibili kahit hindi ko na dalhin sa palengke,” he shared positively.

As positive as he is that this plan will work, Venus knows he has to wait a little longer.

“Kailangan ko po ng kaunting puhunan, tsaka ‘yung mga gamit katulad ng lutuan at mga gamit pangluto. Wala na akong ibang mahihiling pa mula sa gobyerno, ‘yun na lang,” said Venus.

Embracing his new life, new community

Currently, there are more than 400 families staying in this site who no longer have homes to get back to. Majority of these families are from the barangays in the volcano island. These families are regularly being monitored by the DSWD, in coordination with the concerned local government units and other national government agencies.  These families are also being provided appropriate assistance to ensure that they are able to go back to their normal living as soon as possible.

“Okay na kami dito. Ang hiling na lang talaga namin ay tulong pangkabuhayan,” shared Venus, who already prefers living in this shelter rather than going back to their old community where they will always be burdened of the idea of the volcano’s possible eruptions.

He added that everything they currently need are provided to them here.

“Halos sobra-sobra pa nga ang tulong. Mayroon kaming pagkain dito, may mga kumot, gamit sa kusina. Mayroon ding mga checkup at gamot para sa aming karamdaman. Kaya sobra-sobra rin ang pasasalamat namin sa lahat ng dumarating na tulong,” he shared.

With all these help, Venus is only affirmed that their life in this new community will work out. He trusts that the government and other good-hearted organizations will not leave them alone, especially in their hopes of standing on their own again.***