The current activity of Mayon Volcano in Albay has made some Filipinos in the United States worried.
Imelda Mirafuentes Unson is one of those concerned about the safety of her family in Bicol.
Unson’s family was one of the thousands evacuated near Mayon. Her family lives in Daraga, Albay which is a danger zone at the foot of the volcano.
She, too, has been a survivor of the volcanic eruption when she still lived in the Philippines.
"Hindi namin alam kung paano namin ililigtas yung sarili naming. Kahit sinong tao yung iniligtas nila kasi unahin din nila yung pamilya nila. Walang magiintindi sa iyo. Kanya-kanyang magliligtas sa sarili," Unson recounted.
She now feels helpless and suffers homesickness every time she watches the news about the volcano’s activity on television.
As of this posting, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) continue to monitor Mayon Volcano. It said the volume of lava streaming from the summit crater has increased and a hazardous explosion may happen soon.
Unson feels bad that she is unable to send money back home to help. She is barely scraping by working 18 hours a week for her own survival in the US and doesn't make enough to support her two children and pay the bills.
“Naku, napakahirap kasi kahit ako hindi ko na nga alam ang gagawin ko sa sarili ko kasi sila mama, mga kapatid ko, lahat sila humihingi ng tulong pero lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na ang buhay dito hindi ganun kadali. Minsan nga sinasabi ko na susuko na ako pero kung uuwi ka doon ganun din," she said.
"Someday masaya tayo maka-receive ka ng pera. Ako, masaya ako magbigay ng pera sa iyo para padala mo sa pamilya mo sa Pilipinas. Kaya lang ang problema kulang ang pera ko. Ang hirap. Napakahirap. Mag-iyak siya sa gabi, iiyak din ako," said Unson’s husband Cesar Bas.
For now, Unson prays for Mayon to stop erupting and that for everybody back home to stay safe. Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
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