20/03/2026
"Hindi na bago ang sunog sa Brgy. Pinyahan, sa karanasan ko, pang-apat na ito." ~this is the harsh reality shared by a parent during the Psychological First Aid session held today, March 20, 2026 in two evacuation areas in Quezon City.
Organized by Asuncion A. Perez Memorial Center, Inc. and Quezon City Philippine Annual Conference East- Disaster Risk Reduction Management Team, together with the Volunteers, the intervention was planned based on the understanding that the psychological impact of a disaster is just as crucial as addressing the basic needs of the communities affected. When a crisis hits, the emotional burden directly disrupts a personโs life and well-being, hence, PFA was deemed a significant response. The team focused in two evacuation sites: Brgy. Pinyahan covered court and Kamuning center.
Approximately 80 kids and teens joined the morning session at Brgy. Pinyahan covered court. The team was welcomed with vibrant energy and smiles as the activity began with community singing before proceeding with arts-based session like clay-molding and drawing where they pull their reflections from. Plushies were also distributed to the children after the program. This was done with the intent to somehow provide a sense of comfort to kids, as soft toys are often used in PFA to help children regulate stress in a safe way.
On the other hand, the sharing sessions with the children centered mainly on their current reality as evacuees. While there is joy in the constant proximity of family and friends, the memory of the fire continues to bring deep-seated fear and sadness. Even at a young age, these children feel the weight of losing a home, a fundamental requirement for a dignified life.
And while the LGU provides daily meals, the children remain anxious about the day they must eventually leave the evacuation center, as it is the only thing currently holding their community together. As one child noted: "Malulungkot po ako kapag aalis na kami kasi mahihiwalay na po ako sa mga kaibigan ko." It is a statement that truly mirrors both the resilience and the vulnerability of these children; it serves as a reminder that their strength is drawn not only from their families but from those who surround them in times of crisis.
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In the afternoon, the team moved to the Kamuning evacuation site, where a smaller group of families is seeking temporary refuge. Here, the PFA provided a space not only for the children but for the parents to speak as well. When asked about their condition, many parents could no longer hold back their tears. Their grief revealed the sheer exhaustion of a community that has seen their homes burn not just once, not only twice but four times within a single year. And while they are receiving support from various organizations, they are acutely aware that these are only temporary measures. They find themselves struggling to map out what tomorrow could offer, especially as the search for rental housing is met with a harsh stigma. But the families are determined enough to overcome this challenge.
Indeed, a single intervention like PFA could not really capture the full scale of what these families endure, but the activity allowed their raw stories to be highlighted. We have seen the grit of the children and youth, and the strength of every family and the community that remain hopeful even when the future is a blur.
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The day ended with debriefing and reflection that our faith is profoundly expressed through service; that we are ought to walk and even struggle with these communities in all the ways we can. And in this commitment of shared burden and solidarity, Christ will be made alive.
