Our Experience During Super Typhoon Tino: A Story from Talisay City, Cebu
Hello, dear Hivers and friends,
Just recently, our beloved province of Cebu experienced another devastating tragedy. We were struck by Super Typhoon Tino on November 4, 2025, and the destruction it left behind was beyond words. What makes this even more heartbreaking is that the people of Northern Cebu haven’t even fully recovered from the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit us on September 30, 2025—barely over a month ago. And before we could regain our strength and rebuild, nature tested us once again.
Here in Talisay City, where my family and I live, the typhoon caused severe damage. The strong winds and heavy rain seemed endless. Many of our neighbors lost their homes completely; some were washed away by floods in just a matter of minutes. We could only watch helplessly as the water rose rapidly, sweeping away roofs, walls, and everything that people had worked so hard for over the years. It was heartbreaking to see families holding onto each other, trying to save what little they could while protecting their loved ones.
Despite the terrifying experience, I am deeply thankful to God that my family is safe. We may have lost a few things, but compared to what others went through, we consider ourselves truly blessed. I am especially thankful that my mother, who lives in Leyte, also survived the storm safely. Leyte was hit hard as well, and because she lives alone, we couldn’t help but worry about her the entire time. Communication lines were down, and those hours of not knowing whether she was safe were some of the most painful moments we've ever experienced. When we finally heard from her and knew she was okay, we couldn’t stop crying out of relief and gratitude.
Leyte: Photos taken from my mama
But as I look around our community now, I can’t help but feel both sadness and determination. Many families here in Talisay City have lost everything—their homes, their belongings, and even their sources of income. Some are staying in evacuation centers, while others are temporarily living with relatives or kind neighbors who still have roofs over their heads. The sight of children walking barefoot through muddy streets, and rescuers all paints a picture of resilience mixed with exhaustion.
Our family, though affected by the typhoon as well, has decided that we cannot simply watch and wait for help. We know how painful it is to lose everything, and we also know how much even a small act of kindness can mean in times like this. That’s why we have decided to organize a small fundraising effort to help those in our community who were hit the hardest.
We plan to collect funds, food, clothing, and basic necessities that can be distributed to families who need them the most here in Talisay City. We might not have much ourselves, but we believe that when we come together and share what little we can, we can bring hope to others who are in despair. After all, generosity doesn’t come from abundance—it comes from the heart.
We are reaching out to anyone who wishes to extend a helping hand. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or even just spreading awareness about our cause, every effort matters. The road to recovery is long, but with compassion and unity, we can slowly rebuild our community stronger than before.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this, it’s that disasters can destroy our homes, but they cannot destroy our humanity. They can take away our material possessions, but they cannot take away our ability to love, to help, and to rise again. Cebuano people are known for their resilience and faith. Even in the darkest times, we always find a reason to smile, to thank God, and to move forward.
Right now, our focus is not just on survival, but on helping others survive too. My heart breaks for those who have lost everything, but it also fills with hope every time I see people helping one another—neighbors sharing food, strangers offering shelter, and youth volunteers cleaning up the streets together. These simple acts remind us that kindness is still stronger than any storm.
To everyone reading this—thank you for taking the time to listen to our story. Please keep Talisay City, Cebu, Leyte, the entire Northern Cebu region and to those affected please include in your thoughts and prayers. If you are able and willing, we would be deeply grateful for any form of assistance you can provide. Together, we can bring light to those who are currently in darkness.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your unwavering support.
Let’s rebuild those affected together. Let’s show the world that even after Typhoon Tino, hope still lives here.