Panamucan is located at barangay San Jose but is separated
from the barangay hall and its officials by a 20 minute drive along a muddy and
nearly impassible terrain for most vehicles, and passes in between rice, corn,
and sugarcane paddies going across a river. After gaining the knowledge of on
how to get to Panamucan, the student researchers became more concerned on
whether or not help really did arrive, and in time.
In
truth before the start of the project, many already disregarded it and even
questioned on how high school students, without any direct help from the school
could go to Panamucan and achieve their desired objectives of finding the cause
and effect of the flood. But they were surprised of the persevering minds of
the students which not only gained access to Panamucan but were strong-willed
enough to ask help from the barangay officials themselves. A nearly impossible
task done within a day, that we even surprised ourselves.
From the first person view Panamucan holds houses mostly
made of wood and some are concrete with metal roofs. The researchers visited
Panamucan 3 months after the flood but it can still be seen along the eyes of
the people the tragic beginnings and ending of that day. The people were kind,
respectful and religious by holding a mass, and it wasn’t even a Sunday. It was
truly awe-inspiring for them to get back up and continue on with their lives.
Through various interviews with the officials, volunteers, and those who
experienced the flood, the passionate side of the students was opened as to
just how fortunate our given lives truly are. This was even more intensified
when a woman who lost nearly everything, her house, money, property and
valuables shared her side of the story.
The most surprising piece of
information garnered was actually the main cause of the flood. As it turned out
the flood was a natural disaster caused by another, a tornado. News that held
in it such value that it showed just how devastating Mother Nature could truly
be.