Mayon Volcano

August 31, 2006



Mayon is in the news once again, six years after its "Millenium Eruption" in February 2000. Today, volcanologists would easily classify it as one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes, having erupted 48 times since 1616. It doesn't surprise me then, to suddenly find myself in an overnight bus to Bicol with my friend Mike. It was he who really wanted to get a glimpse of mighty Mayon while it was active and smoldering. And it was probably this hint of danger and adventure that prompted me to give it a go.

First stop was Daraga church, Baroque style and made of volcanic rocks. It was nestled on top of a hill overlooking the volcano but at 6 in the morning, Mayon's summit was heavily covered with clouds. Mike and I decided to hike down the hill and found a Cagsawa-bound jeepney. Cagsawa was only a few kilometers north of Daraga. There, we saw the ruins of the sunken Cagsawa Church, of which only the belfry could be seen today. When Mayon erupted in February 1814, over 1000 people were said to have taken refuge here but got buried alive inside this church.

From the ruins, we could see majestic Mayon standing tall before us, all 2420 meters of it! And I wouldn't argue about its perfectly symmetrical cone! After two plates of "Bicol Express" and a nap, we only hiked a few kilometers towards Mayon as it was off-limits to trekkers during this critical period.

It was the setting sun, at last, that finally revealed the volcano's peak and the glowing red lava flowing down its deeply-scarred slopes.

December 15, 2006

Daraga is one of the towns located at the foot of Mayon, and unfortunately, also one of the hardest hit by the recent killer typhoon. Because of Mayon's mudslide, people had to leave their homes and take refuge on the hill where the church is.

As my friend Oyette described it, it was Bicol's worst typhoon in 40 years. The floods that covered the houses were over 10 feet tall, a combination of water, mud, rocks and loosened-up volcanic ash from Mayon’s slopes. When this was happening, people heard loud noises and eerie sounds, likened to that of “hooves of a thousand horses.”

To this day, most of Daraga's townsfolk remain in makeshift shelters on the hill, from where they could see only the rooftops of their buried homes near Mayon’s foot. These people have lost all of their personal belongings. The only items they have left are the same clothes and slippers they were wearing when they fled.

Children and the elderly have the hardest time during the evenings when it gets very cold at the shelter on the hill. These people have lost everything, so any kind of donation, even your used clothing and footwear, bed sheets, kitchen utensils or any useful items will be very much appreciated.

After Sunday, I will not be able to receive your donations, but Oyette will continue collecting. Donated items will be sent to Daraga every week by bus for the entire month of December. Otherwise, you may directly send your donations to GMA 7 in Quezon City.

Thanks for your help!
chinqui