Mt. Kanlaon eruption survivors narrate experience

The Mount Kanlaon volcano in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental erupted on Monday and greatly affected families in the area as it spewed dark and thick ash.

Mount Kanlaon is the third most active volcano in the Philippines, following Mayon Volcano and Taal Volcano. Last June, the volcano had a phreatic eruption.

The eruption on Monday was classified as an explosive eruption due to its gas-driven nature, unlike steam-driven phreatic eruptions. It lasted nearly four minutes, producing a volcanic plume four kilometers high.

Mount Kanlaon was placed under Alert Level 3, prompting families in surrounding towns to evacuate.

Because of the amihan season, the ash from Kanlaon blew westward to Bago, a nearby town, and covered roofs and streets.

Survivors' stories

Sadrack and his family were among those who have lived in the area for decades.

They said in an interview on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" that this eruption was something different. 

"Akala ko katapusan na ng mundo sa amin dito. Gulat talaga ako," Sadrack said.

["I thought it was the end of the world for us here. I was really shocked."]

He added that they he was busy harvesting his sweet potatoes during the early moments of the volcano's eruption.

Sadrack initially thought the situation was normal and even suggested having a snack while harvesting sweet potatoes, as he wasn't panicking or scared yet.

However, he started to panic when he saw large amounts of ash.

"Ang kinatakutan ko, 'yung nakita kong malapit na talaga 'yung ikot ng abo na mayroong nag-light-light kaunti. Hindi naman natin iini-expect na 'yun ang mangyayari e."

["What scared me was when I saw the ash cloud coming close. None of us expected this to happen."]

Sadrack recalled that their whole village was afraid.

"Takbuhan kami dun. Ang natakutan namin, 'yung ikot sa parang balod (alon) na sa dagat na parang hindi na mapigilan na baka pupunta 'yan dito," he said.

["We were running everywhere. What terrified us was the swirling ash, resembling an unstoppable ocean wave.] He noted that the trees along the ash cloud's path began to light up and worried about the danger if it struck them or the children.

Following this experience, Sadrack said they are now thinking of moving.

"Wala nang matigas dito ngayon. Hindi katulad dati na mga tao dito, kahit anong sabi, 'Ay hindi yan puputok. Kung puputok 'yan, dati pa,'" he said. "Pero ngayon, takot talaga sila. Kasi akala na din nila katapusan na ng mundo."

["No one here was ignoring the warnings anymore. Unlike before, when people would say, 'It won't erupt. If it was going to, it would've happened already.' But now, they were really scared. They thought it was the end of the world."]

Jonah, an entrepreneur who was busy with live-selling pre-loved clothes, saw the ashfall firsthand.

He thought, "Ayan oh! Perwisyo na talaga. Ang Kanlaon pumutok na talaga. 'Yan na yung mga abo niya. Diyos ko!"

["Look at this! It's such a nuisance. Mt. Kanlaon erupted. These were its ashes. My God!"]

"Ang dami-dami talaga! Ayan, mga abo. Tumakbo kayo, tumakbo kayo!" Jonah said. "

["There was so much of it! Look at the ash. I was telling them to run!"]

Jonah thought of securing his dogs in the bathroom, knowing there was no escape from Kanlaon's eruption. She said it quickly got dark, and in "less than two minutes," the ash started falling.

She couldn't help but get curious and tried to catch and touch the ash from the volcano. She also described their situation as hopeless, with the road looking like this.

Days later, Jonah's house and the road outside were still filled with ash. The situation has affected his asthma. Jonah called the experience a "double disaster" with the rain and ashfall.

"Nag-post ako sa Facebook, kung puwede sa mga dumadaan na sasakyan, dahan-dahanin lang kasi una, 'yung alikabok," Jonah said.

["I posted on Facebook, asking passing vehicles to drive slowly because of the dust."]

Despite this, Jonah said he would keep going

"'Yung concern lang namin 'yung mga farmers kasi marami talagang damage sa kanila," he said.

["Our main concern was for the farmers, who had already suffered so much loss"]

Because of the crisis, residents have been wearing facemasks and have been cleaning with water to avoid any sicknesses.

Evacuees face health and safety risks

Days after the eruption, Mount Kanlaon had calmed, but hundreds of evacuees in La Castellana remained unable to return home as the situation was still being monitored.

Nanay Emilliana, an evacuee said, "Napaiyak talaga ako sa sitwasyon ko kasi 'di ako makalakad. Pinagdadasal ko na sana maawa siya at tulungan niya kami na mabuhay kami dito at hindi kami magutuman."

["I really cried because of my situation. I couldn't walk. I prayed for mercy and for help so we could survive here and not go hungry."]

Another evacuee named Liezel is worried for her mother who just suffered a stroke.

"Mahirap para sa akin. Araw-araw ako umiiyak kasi may maliit pa akong anak. Nahihirapan ako araw-araw," she said, emotional. "Wala naman akong kapatid, e. Ako lang mag-isa. Hindi siya mapagamot dahil mahirap lang kami. Nasa bahay lang siya araw-araw."

["It was hard for me. I cried every day because I have a small child. Every day was a struggle. I didn't have siblings, it was just me. We couldn't get her treated because we were poor. She just stayed at home every day."]

Babies and children have been falling ill with coughs and diarrhea. Evacuees received food and hygiene kits but still need clean drinking water. They continue to pray for peace and an end to the eruptions.

For those in need of assistance in affected areas, contact:

CDRRMO Hotline (Canlaon City):

• 0917 325 8819
• 0929 498 9021
• 0994 858 0804

MDRRMO Hotline (La Castellana Municipality):

• 0963 301 8164

CDRRMO Hotline (Bago City):

• 0933 693 6444
• 0927 022 4884

—JCB, GMA Integrated News