Philippine E-Journals

SURVIVING LIFE AFTER TYPHOON PABLO: STRUGGLES OF SCHOOL MANAGERS

Rodolfo P Bantayan | Lourdes C Cabintoy

 

Abstract:

This case study explored the surviving life after Typhoon Pablo and the struggles of school managers. Using qualitative phenomenological analysis, a multiple case research design was utilized. The results revealed the unique and shared narrative phenomenology of the informants characterized by their struggles to survive in the aftermath of Typhoon Pablo. Collectively, the school managers were aware of the difficulty and menacing situation after the calamity which had – shrunk them into a common fate to survive. They went on living half frightened and half traumatic. The saga of their struggle to survive lingered on to rebuild their physical self. They decried an agony of vast destruction utterly in the land of promise. After coding all narrations from their thoughts and feelings, it was crucial to understand their struggle to survive in the vastness of solitude on how they took the significant change to move forward. Also, the study yielded eight (8) essential themes: hope, prayer, courage, persistence, passion for teaching, bayanihan, monitoring schemes, identification of needs and motivation. The findings had the implications that the survivors of Typhoon Pablo need continuous stress debriefing, and group-focused physical activities with the context of local culture, traditions, and resources. The local government of Davao Oriental may use this study as a basis for a continuous fund allocation for school rehabilitation, housing, and agribusiness projects.