A 19-year-old volunteer firefighter couldn’t help but become emotional after he shared what happened to their home last May 7, 2024.
“Nagulat ako may sumigaw na sunog. Tapos nag-chat po ako sa GC namin ng bumbero po. Pumunta po ako ng CR, kumuha po ako ng timba, ng tubig para hindi po madamay ‘yung bahay namin. Tinry ko po lahat,” John Justine Gagarin told The Philippine STAR.
“Kaso paglabas ko po ng kwarto, may apoy na po. Buti po may labasan po kami sa ilalim po. Dun na lang po ako lumabas. Paglabas ko po, sakto nandun na po ‘yung firetruck namin. Nagbihis po ako, hinila ko ‘yung hose namin papasok sa bahay kaso hindi na po kinaya. Naubusan po kami ng supply,” he added.
Gagarin didn’t have the chance to process what was happening to their home as he was so focused on his job as a firefighter and his eagerness to save their home.
“Sobrang sakit po. Pag gising ko may bahay kami, ngayon wala na po eh. Habang binobomba ko po ‘yung sarili ko pong bahay, umiiyak po ako nun. ‘Di ko po kaya na nakikita ko ‘yung sarili kong bahay na nasusunog po eh. Nagdasal na lang po ako nun. ‘Di ko na po alam kung anong gagawin ko rin po nun eh,” he emotionally shared.
During the fire, Gagarin’s parents were at work and his other family members were outside their residence.
Noting, “Ako lang po sa bahay. Pagdating na lang po nila, inaapula ko na lang po ‘yung sunog ta’s umiiyak na rin po sila. Tinry ko po pa rin talagang apulahin. Sarili ko pong bahay inaapula ko pero hindi po kaya. Naiyak na lang po rin ako.”
Since their home was made of light materials, the fire immediately spread out to their neighborhood.
“Naubos na ‘yung bahay namin. Sabi ko [sa mama ko], hindi ko kinaya. Nagalit po ako sa sarili ko kasi hindi ko nagampanan ‘yung sarili kong [tungkulin] sa sarili kong bahay,” Gagarin said.
“‘Yung suot ko lang po na ‘yun, ‘yun lang po ‘yung nalabas namin. Kahit isa po wala po. DSWD po tinulungan na po kami. Ta’s mga barangay po, mga kasamahan ko po sa bumbero po,” he added.
But instead of mulling over the loss of their home, Gagarin did not forget his duty to help his neighbors.
“Naisip ko po kasi na wala na rin naman po ‘yung bahay namin, tulungan ko na lang po para hindi po madamay ‘yung aking kasamahan po. Para hindi na lang po sila magaya sa ‘kin,” he stressed.
It was in 2022 when Gagarin joined as a volunteer at the Leveriza-Malate Fire & Rescue Volunteer. He juggled volunteering while he is enrolled at the Philippine College of Criminology.
“Bukal po sa kalooban ko po ‘yung sumali po ako dun. Gusto ko po kasing makatulong sa nangangailangan. Isang beses po nagalit sila [parents] sa akin kasi hindi ko daw po sinabi sa kanila na ganun. Baka daw mapahamak ako,” he recalled.
Gagarin is currently taking temporary shelter at a tent with his 11 other family members.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Panginoon hindi po nadamay ‘yung pamilya ko. Safe naman po kaming lahat. Pero masakit pa rin po talaga.Nahihirapan rin po kami sa mga ganito eh. May mga pinsan pa po akong mga bata. Nakikiligo po ta’s nanghihiram lang po kami ng gamit,” he said.
To those who want to help Gagarin and his family, you can send it through:
GCash
09303098313
Cherry T.
