During my last travel, the rain fell so heavily due to a typhoon causing flood in many areas including my mother’s hometown in Kauswagan, Lanao Del Norte, Philippines.
From Bukidnon, my home, we woke up at 4 a.m. and we traveled for more than three hours to reach Lanao. How difficult it was to travel during that moment because of the rain, but we were all grateful for arriving safely despite the bad weather.
One of the reasons why we traveled from Bukidnon to Lanao Del Norte was to visit the grave of my late grandmother and grandfather, from my mother's side. And it was the death anniversary of my late grandmother, so went to the cemetery after.
When we arrived at Kauswagan, I was so surprised to witness the flood which made the paths going to my grandparents’ house unpassable. But we found a solution by riding a motorcycle.
Can you imagine passing this area daily with this scenario? As for me, I would feel uncomfortable and if I am a resident of the community, surely I would suggest to the local government unit to find a resolution. I wonder why the residents of the area did not complain about this and have not found a solution to resolve this flood problem especially since this would be the issue even before.
It has been thirteen years since I have not stepped on this place after graduating from College since this has been so far from home, not to mention that my mother’s siblings were not already living here because they had also left here after they were married because of peace and order issues. Honestly, I am scared to go to this place because of the war that happened before, making many civilians involved. My late grandfather was even involved and harmed in the past. Nonetheless, the place is now safe at present so there was nothing to worry about.
As we all stepped on the ground, we were all surprised by the flood that covered the area. We were even cracking jokes about the flood that made us all uncomfortable. So we simply waited on the waiting shed and waited for my uncle to get us through a motorcycle that had traveled back and forth just to make us all pass the pathway.
Since my last visit here, although I have noticed a lot of changes, still the community was the same as a decade ago with bamboo and wooden fences that served as a boundary between the residential houses and the pathway going to the highway.
I have already experienced a flood before when the rain fell so heavily, we dared to pass through the mud. But since we do not have extra clothes to wear since we would just go home on the same day, we just waited for the motorcycle.
And while waiting for the motorcycle, I took the moment to take candid snaps. I was wearing my black coordinates and my shades with my beige slip-on and sling bag.
Perhaps the reflections of the trees and wooden fences were all visible on the mud water. Despite the bad weather, I had a big smile and simply enjoyed the moment while I was there. Indeed, the flood never stopped me to take selfies.
Disclaimer: All texts and pictures are my own unless otherwise stated.