Typhoon Odette (Rai) was the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2021.
The Category 4 storm brought with it winds that ripped roofs from houses and storm surges that washed coastal communities to the ground. According to an assessment by the United Nation’s Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), Odette affected 11 out of 17 regions in the country, damaged 36 million homes, and displaced 9 million Filipinos, including those in Southern Leyte which was one of the worst-affected provinces of all.

But Rodolfo Simpao, 44 years old and father of 4, doesn’t need to know all those statistics. As a resident of Barangay Hindag-an, Southern Leyte, he has lived through the ordeal and can attest to the destruction with much regret.

“Pag nakita mo yung mga nangyari sa mga bangka at bahay ayaw mo nang kumain, [When you see what happened to all the boats and houses, you’ll lose your appetite.]” he said. “Para akong binagsakan. Nanginginig ako noon. Hindi ko ma-express yung feeling ko kung iiyak ba ako. [I felt something crashed over me. I was shaking. I couldn’t express what I was feeling, if I should cry or not].”

Fishing was not only his livelihood but his life since he was 15 years old. For a community that relied on fishing to bring food on the table and money to sustain their children’s education, the damage to 80% of Barangay Hindag-an’s pump boats was a huge blow to almost every household.

For now, Rodolfo does not know how he will get his family back on their feet without his boat. Like many of his neighbors, Rodolfo and his family are grateful for those who have come to their aid, including Food for the Hungry Philippines, since they have no resources left.
He hopes that one day his family will have a better life and wishes that his children will get to study again. What keeps him going is his faith in God, saying “Bahala na ang Diyos! Manalig lang tayo sa Panginoon. [It’s up to God! Keep believing in the Lord.]”