The Philippine Red Cross assisted six repatriates from Haiti, at around six am this morning in the second terminal Assist Lounge of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. They recounted their respective experiences of the 7.0-magnitude, cataclysmic quake.

Rucelle Cruz, Gregorio Balurin Jr., Sonny Mahing, Michaela Santos, Rosario Santos and Donna Bacurin emanated a mixture of indifference and weariness in the press conference.

The exceptional Donna Bacurin came in a wheelchair and tearfully narrated the story of how she slid down from a hole at the third floor of her office, in a desperate attempt to save her life. Especially noticeable was the bandage wrapped around her hand, which was fractured from the heavy blow of falling debris.

The Philippine Red Cross Medical team treated her foot, which swelled from dragging and scrambling. The team also brought an ambulance for contingency measures.

Rucelle Cruz, administrative manager of a garment factory, related that her officemate, whom she identified as Geraldine (31 y/o), was still missing from the disaster.

The Social Service Psychosocial Support team assessed Rosario Santos, asking her about her condition and reaction to the earthquake. She recounted that she was in a gas station when the earthquake broke out. According to her, the wreckages of the crumbling structure crushed the passengers of the car which followed hers.  

She added that she already had a return ticket to Haiti and is set to leave in March.

“Work would resume by then,” she explained in Filipino.

Rosario also informed us that Filipinos without US visa were left in Sto. Domingo, Dominican Republic, explaining why only six out of the 71 repatriates landed today.

Keen on their stories, writers, reporters, photographers and videographers directed their attention towards the survivors—all indifferent and weary, save for Donna.

Glint of strong emotion only manifested when their kin came to meet them outside the lounge. The repatriates where transported to the Overseas Workers’ Welfare to arrange and finalize their papers.

This writer was left pondering on the fragility, randomness and evanescence of life. An earthquake or fire could break out any moment and take lives from anywhere in the world, while the Philippine Red Cross remains to be responsive and supportive of the suffering. But then after every disaster, we are left with nothing to do but work again as imminent threats to life continue to hover slightly above us.