Mount Pinatubo erupted on June 15, 1991. Perhaps nearly 600 years of silence decided that it merited such a big bang of an eruption for the world to take notice. The destruction it wrought had reached foreign shores. It was considered one of the biggest eruptions and natural calamities ever.
Tremors by the minute. Gigantic mushroom-like clouds blotting the sun. Darkness at midday. Rainfall of ash. Panic in the homes. Chaos in the streets. Molten lava and lahar flows inundating rivers and burying communities. To all intents and purposes, a good part of Pampanga was wiped off the map.
Everything was on an emergency mode. Families were evacuated to what were deemed “safer” places. Tent cities were formed. The Americans abandoned Clark Air Base which had been their home for decades. Everyone fled what appeared to be an inferno-like environment. Government and all other sectors were ill prepared for a disaster of such magnitude.
In the midst of this great tragedy, the people had shown their resiliency and indomitable Kapampangan spirit – they have created a new and good life for themselves with the generous help of various donors, media entities and support of many individuals and groups. They became unsung heroes to depend on.
Now as Pampanga commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Mount Pinatubo eruption, the Kapampangan wholeheartedly recognize the invaluable contribution in terms of logistics and expertise of the public and private sector groups, individuals, media entities and other organizations who had given their precious time, effort and even their lives for the safety, relief, rehabilitation and full development of the province.
We also thank former President Fidel Valdez Ramos and senators for the P10-billion infrastructure interventions such as the building of megadike and the construction of various resettlement centers that served as permanent homes of the affected families.
The Kapampangan people also acknowledge the able assistance of the foreign governments and international communities –some of them are Japan, United States of America, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, among other countries.
Their generosity and determination to get us out from the rubble of Pinatubo inspired us to rebuild our lives, and bring new glory to our beloved province.
Again, thank you very much. You will forever be part of the tragedy turned triumph that was Pinatubo and the resurrection of the Kapampangan.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU!
(DAKAL PUNG SALAMAT KEKAYU NGAN!)
