Wazzup Pilipinas!
Former actress Princess Punzalan-Field is living a quiet, comfortable life as a nurse in California with husband Jason Field, a marketing professional. But when super typhoon Yolanda unleashed its fury in the Philippines, Princess became restless.
She revealed that she followed the news on the devastation caused by Yolanda and wished she could do something to help. Princess received a divine sign. She said that even before the super typhoon struck the Visayas, she was using a meme with a Biblical verse from The 700 Club Asia as screensaver in her laptop.
So, everytime she uses her computer to get updates regarding the typhoon, she automatically sees the meme and for some reason, her eyes would be drawn to the logo of The 700 Club Asia. “Parang may sinasabi si Lord sa akin tungkol doon. Laging nadi-direct ang mata ko sa logo ng The 700 Club Asia,” Princess said.
In no time at all, Princess was coordinating with Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, the humanitarian arm of CBN Asia, and signed up as a volunteer nurse for the medical mission in Tacloban, Leyte, one of the hardest hit areas of Yolanda.
Princess joined the Operation Blessing Philippines team in Tacloban exactly on her birthday last November 20. The Operation Blessing team cooked sopas with sardines to celebrate her birthday.
But celebration was the last thing on Princess’ mind and she immediately buckled down to work as a nurse in the medical mission—checking vital signs, dressing wounds and distributing medicines. Princess also prayed for the survivors and their families. Those who fell in line to seek medical assistance smiled when they recognized Princess.
She, on the other hand, was choked with emotions, shedding tears openly as she felt the struggle now being faced by our kababayans in Tacloban. “Naaawa ako sa mga tao,” she was often heard telling other volunteers.
Princess joined the medical missions in different barangays where hundreds of residents eagerly queued for medical attention and medicines. The medical missions were taxing but Princess and the other volunteers did not mind. They shared very basic meals in a community church where they stayed. Her bed, just like the rest, was a hard wooden bench and while sleeping, mosquitoes buzzed and bit them. “Wala siyang kaarte-arte,” the other volunteers described Princess.
Princess said that she is extremely grateful to CBN Asia and Operation Blessing for giving her the opportunity to serve and to help those in need. Princess said that even if she just stayed and volunteered for three days, she learned a lot and her soul and spirit was so touched by what she saw and what she experienced. “Noong una, hindi ko alam kung ano ang purpose ni Lord kung bakit Niy a ako dinala rito para tumulong sa Operation Blessing. Nung nandito na ako at nakita ko ang kalagayan ng mga tao, nakita ko kung gaano pa ako ka-blessed at gaano ako kamahal ni Lord. At itong blessings na ito ay dapat kong i-share sa mga tao,” she said.
Written by Debbie Bataller, Junior Writer with photos by Chito Vecina
http://cbnasia.org/home/2013/11/princess-diaries-in-tacloban/
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
It is good to give help towards the yolanda victims but it is better if you are with them. Just like Princess did, she helped the victims so much even it costs a lot for her. Helping our 'kapwa' is the BEST way to make God happy.
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