Dubai Filipino salesman in desperate bid to attend funeral of mom killed in quake

Rowell Talinda has been desperately trying to sell his laptop, watch, mobile phone and other personnel belongings through Facebook because he needs to buy an air ticket to go home to attend his mother’s funeral.

Rowell, 28, who works as a salesman in Enoc/Eppco, says there are no takers for the items. He requests community members to help him reach home before October 21.

He hails from Bohol district of Cebu, Central Philippines, which was devastated by a killer quake. His mother, Teodora Talinda, 54, was buried alive in the forecourt of their concrete house in Toril village.

Speaking to Emirates24|7, Rowell said he has not been able to sleep after being told of his mom’s death. “A four-year-old orphan girl, Joy, who was staying with her, is also dead,” he added. 

“It was 8 am Philippines time and my mother and the little girl was awake. Realising that there was a quake, she apparently panicked and ran out with Joy to safety. But within seconds they were both buried alive two meters away in the forecourt of my house. She lay buried in a three-meter deep pit for almost one hour before rescue team could dig her out. The pit was caused by landslide - the effect of the quake.  I cannot believe that my beloved mother is no more. In my entire village only my mother and Joy died. Some people sustained injuries,” said Talinda.

“My mother was taking care of Joy, because her parents could not afford to send her to school. She was using part of the money I sent every month for Joy.”

“My brothers, John and Nino, are alive, but they are scared and worried. I need to be with them at this crucial time. I have to reach home before  October 21,” he added.

Two of his teenage brothers, who were sleeping inside the house are safe, but the house is also about to collapse as the wall on one side is totally damaged. “It was a public holiday in the Philippines and my two elder brothers were living far away. The last I spoke to my mother was on September 27 – my father’s first death anniversary. He died at age 57 last year of a heart attack.

“My mom’s body is now kept in the evacuation center. My family is waiting for me. I had sent my salary to her two weeks back. And the last message I got from her was that she had received 9,000 pesos,” he said.

His friends, too, don’t have money to help him buy a ticket. “I am stuck here because I don’t have money to buy an air ticket. I am keen to sell my laptop or other valuables, but even for that there are no takers,” he said.

“Two bridges leading to my village on the main highway are collapsed and there is no water and electricity in our village. My family is dependent on the food packets dropped from the helicopter by the rescue teams, says Rowell.

He appeals to fellow countrymen on Facebook to help his villagers tide over this calamity.

Nearly 158 people are reportedly killed in the deadly earthquake, as per latest reports. The government has declared a state of emergency in the province.
 

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