Batangas Rescuer Honored Amid Personal Tragedy: A Tale of Courage and Loss

A Hero's Recognition Edwin Mendoza was recently awarded a plaque of recognition and a financial grant of P150,000 by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas for his exceptional efforts during the disaster. "Nagpapasalamat po ako kay governor sa kanilang iginawad na pagkilala sa akin. Sa pito kong nawalang mahal sa buhay, wala po katumbas na halaga," Mendoza expressed, reflecting on the bittersweet nature of the honor. The Tragic Flood The tragic flood that struck Sitio Siaten in Barangay San Sebastian claimed the lives of Mendoza’s father, three siblings, two nephews, and his brother-in-law. The floodwaters not only swept away their family home but also scattered their belongings, with part of the house found 60 feet deep in Taal Lake. Despite extensive search efforts by divers and rescue teams, only the body of Mendoza's 84-year-old father, Sulpicio, has been recovered so far. After more than two weeks of searching, Mendoza made the heartbreaking decision to halt the search to allow his surviving family members to begin the grieving process. The Rescuer's Dilemma On the day of the flood, Mendoza was engaged in rescue operations elsewhere, unaware of the fate that awaited his family. “Nagre-rescue ako ng mga tao para sila ay ilikas at dalhin sa ligtas na lugar pero ang isipan ko andoon ang kaba ko na ang pamilya ko ano ba ang nangyayari sa pamilya ko,” he recalled, expressing the anguish of being torn between duty and familial concern. Despite his efforts to contact his family and urge them to evacuate, they remained in their home, leading to the tragic outcome. A Call for Preparedness In the wake of this tragedy, Mendoza has become a voice for community awareness and preparedness. He urged residents to heed evacuation orders and act promptly during natural disasters. “Sana sa ganitong may mga kalamidad na parating maging alisto. Hanggat maaga, pumunta na kayo sa safe na lugar,” he advised, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety over hesitation.