For Taal folk, pet dogs, family matter
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2020 09:45:24 +0000
A DOG walks on an ash fall covered road as Taal Volcano continues to spew ash. (AP)
By ELLSON QUISMORIO
AGONCILLO, Batangas – The thick layer of volcanic ash, the inescapable sulfuric odor, and intermittent earthquakes from the eruption of Taal Volcano give residents here a thousand reasons to hunker down in evacuation centers.
But for two residents – Recencio Reyes and Ruby Holgado – the safety and comfort of the evacuation center and the fury of Taal Volcano doesn’t matter as long as they are there for two things – pet dogs and family.
Reyes, 60, decided to walk back home on the Talisay-Laurel-Agoncillo-Lemery Road to check on something very close to his heart – his two pet dogs.
“Hindi ko maiwan dahil nakakaawa rin at parang anak mo na rin. Kaya aking pupuntahan,” said Reyes, who trudged through the ash on the road without even a face mask on.
In his hand was a small paper bag containing rice, which would have been his dogs’ meal. “Pinagsaing ko pa nga eh,” he proudly declared.
Reyes wasn’t sure if he could bring his dogs over to the evacuation center, where his seven children and wife are currently staying. As such, he had his dogs tied on a leash at his house.
Sen. Richard J. Gordon said that evacuees should bring their pets and animals safer grounds. “Bring animals and livestock to designated evacuation areas,” Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, said as he urged residents of danger zones in Taal Volcano to leave immediately.
Reyes said he plans to do the same thing in the succeeding days, as if Taal doesn’t have a say. “Pagkatapos pupunta na ako sa evacuation center tapos babalik kinabukasan. Mahirap na trabaho,” he admitted.
Further down the road was the Holgado residence, one of the very few homes that still had people in it despite the ongoing calamity.
Ruby, wearing a handkerchief over her nose and mouth, was busy pumping water from their well, just like a regular day. Her tired eyes and somber demeanor was a stark contrast to Reyes’
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