‘Kahit hirap po, masaya’: Cancer patient volunteers at evacuation center

Mercy Absalon's home was submerged in knee-deep floods yesterday at the height of the heavy rainfall brought by the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Super Typhoon Carina, but her priority remains helping others.

More than 500 families amounting to over 1,500 individuals are staying in various evacuation centers in Barangay Sta. Lucia in Novaliches, Quezon City. In one of them, Mercy—a cancer patient, her head covered in a cloth cap—volunteers as a cook.

“Kahit may sakit po ako, gusto ko pong tumulong din po,” she told GMA Integrated News.

(Even though I'm sick, I want to help too.)

“Kahit hirap po, masaya po. Masaya na nakakatulong tayo sa kapwa natin. Kahit ako rin kailangan ko ng tulong, iba pa rin yung saya pag nakakatulong,” she added.

(Even though it's difficult, I'm happy. Glad that I am able to help others. I also need help, but the happiness in being able to help is something else.)

Mercy Absalon (in cloth cap) and her fellow Good Samaritans work in the evacuation center's kitchen on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Photos: Tina Panganiban-Perez/ GMA Integrated News

The Southwest Monsoon or Habagat enhanced by Typhoon Carina dumped 590 millimeters of rain on Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the period from Monday morning to Wednesday afternoon, causing widespread flooding that led to the evacuation of at least 149,000 people across six regions.

At least 21 people have been reported dead amid the storm's impact. — BM, GMA Integrated News