In the days following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that shook parts of Mindanao, many families across General Santos City and neighboring Sarangani province found themselves sleeping outdoors, uncertain when they could safely return home.
For residents like Malou Cabanlit of Purok 20 in Barangay Lagao, the challenges extended far beyond damaged property. Her home was destroyed by the quake, and her husband has yet to resume regular dialysis treatments due to disruptions caused by the disaster.
Malou Cabanlit joining hundreds of fellow residents lining up for assistance
Despite her own struggles, Cabanlit joined hundreds of fellow residents lining up for assistance from Color Your World Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Casino Plus.
“Malaking tulong talaga. Nakita ko ‘yung kit, mayroong para sa ubo, sa sipon, paracetamol. Hindi ka makatulog kasi maya-maya lumilindol dahil sa aftershock,” she said.
Her experience reflects the reality faced by thousands of families still coping with the aftermath of one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in recent years.
As communities transition from immediate survival to longer-term recovery, Color Your World Foundation has expanded its disaster response efforts through Project Bigkis, delivering a combination of medical supplies, hygiene kits, temporary shelters, clean water, clothing, and solar-powered lighting systems to affected areas.
Addressing health risks after the quake
One of the foundation’s recent relief drives saw the distribution of “Makulay” hygiene and health kits to approximately 500 households in Barangay Lagao.
The kits contain essential medicines and personal hygiene supplies intended to help families maintain their health while living in evacuation centers, makeshift camps, and temporary shelters.
The initiative comes at a time when many residents continue to stay in open spaces due to persistent aftershocks, increasing their exposure to illness and harsh weather conditions.
Recent rains have further complicated recovery efforts, with some communities reporting limited access to medicines, clean water, and safe shelter.
For fellow earthquake survivor Jenie Agpalo, basic necessities remain difficult to obtain after their home became uninhabitable.
She said residents often need to travel outside their community just to secure medicines and other essentials.
The health kits, along with emergency tents previously distributed by the foundation, have helped ease some of those burdens as families begin rebuilding their lives.
“In the aftermath of a disaster, preventing illness becomes just as important as meeting immediate survival needs,” said Michael Angelo Horfilla, Casino Plus Director for Corporate Social Responsibility.
“Many families are still sleeping in open areas and dealing with the effects of continuing aftershocks and bad weather. These Makulay kits provide basic protection and help communities stay healthy as they recover.”
Bringing light to darkened communities
Beyond food, shelter, and healthcare, another pressing concern emerged in several affected communities: the lack of electricity.
To address this need, Color Your World Foundation recently deployed hundreds of solar-powered utility lamps and fans across General Santos City and Sarangani province.
The solar units were distributed in Barangay Lagao as well as the hard-hit communities of New Aklan in Glan and Sapu Masla in Malapatan, Sarangani.
With power restoration still ongoing in some areas, the devices have become essential tools for families living in temporary shelters.
For Princess Albotra, who is currently staying in the foundation’s tent village in Purok 20, the solar-powered lamps have provided both comfort and practicality.
“Importante sa amin ang solar lamp lalo na sa akin may dalawa akong babies. Nagagamit ko talaga kasi mainit, tapos ‘yung ilaw, kapag gabi, nagagamit din nila,” she said.
She added that the hygiene kits have also been invaluable for daily needs at a time when household income has disappeared.
The solar-powered devices feature built-in lighting and fans, helping families move safely around evacuation sites at night while providing relief from the heat.
For many beneficiaries, the equipment represents more than convenience.
Jovita, a 53-year-old resident of Barangay New Aklan in Glan, said the lamps brought a sense of normalcy to families still waiting for electricity to be restored.
“May ilaw na kami. May mga apo ako na maliliwanagan sa gabi. Malaking tulong sa amin itong solar at fan. Mainit din kasi,” she said.
A shift from emergency response to recovery
Disaster response experts often note that relief efforts evolve over time.
While the immediate focus following a major earthquake is usually on rescue operations, food, and emergency shelter, communities eventually require support that addresses sanitation, health, safety, and daily living conditions.
That transition is now becoming evident across parts of General Santos and Sarangani.
According to Horfilla, Project Bigkis is designed to respond to those changing needs.
“Light restores more than visibility—it restores hope,” he said.
“In communities where power infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, solar-powered lamps provide a safe, sustainable source of light that keeps families secure through the night.”
The foundation’s efforts have already included the distribution of temporary shelters, approximately 2,000 gallons of water, hygiene and medical supplies, clothing, and solar-powered utility devices.
Relief operations are being carried out in coordination with government agencies, local government units, humanitarian organizations, and community volunteers to help ensure assistance reaches affected families efficiently.
Rebuilding lives together
While aftershocks continue to remind residents of the disaster that changed their lives, many communities are slowly finding ways to move forward.
Across evacuation sites and temporary settlements, residents are rebuilding routines, caring for family members, and helping neighbors navigate the long road to recovery.
For organizations like Color Your World Foundation, the goal is no longer simply to help people survive the immediate aftermath of a disaster but to provide practical tools that support dignity, safety, and resilience in the weeks and months ahead.
As Mindanao’s earthquake-hit communities continue their recovery journey, access to medicine, hygiene supplies, safe shelter, clean water, and even something as simple as light after sunset has become an important reminder that recovery is built one step — and one act of support — at a time.
