Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Anthropology M.A. graduate Maria Aurora “Orett” J. Felipe shared the stories of grace by Typhoon Sendong survivors in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) in a forum at Finster Auditorium last Friday.

The forum featured how survivors displayed kindness to their fellow Filipinos amidst the struggle to survive the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong.

Severe Tropical Storm Sendong (international name Washi) was the world’s deadliest storm in 2011 killing at least 1,268 people according to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) 2012 Memorandum.

Region X suffered the most. Fifty-three percent of the casualties were residents of CDO.

Having worked with academic institutions and non-government organizations for women and children, Felipe found it admirable how respondents gave utmost importance to their family members and neighbors even at the time of a life-threatening event.

One of her colleagues read the actual statement of a survivor sharing how she helped a 14-year old left behind by his parents.

She added respondents’ spirituality also played an important role in the survivor’s own empowerment.

“[S]a’kin laging mayroong grasya pero [depende] kung paano mo dadaanan yung proseso, kasi parang ang hirap sabihin kung ano yung grasya,” she said.

Grace also depends on one’s character and the involvement of his or her experiences, according to Felipe.

“Hindi ako magiging ganito kalakas kung hindi ko dinaanan iyon,” she said.

Titled “Disgrasya nga nahimong Grasya – Journeying with God amidst Suffering & Healing”, the 4th Ignatian Conversation is a collaboration between Ignatian Spirituality and Formation Office (ISFO) and the Anthropology Department.