New Clark City – Six days before he won a gold at the men's javelin throw in New Clark City, Melvin Calano received heartbreaking news.
While training in Manila, Calano got a phone call from his wife saying that their house in Paracale, Camarines Norte had been blown away by a hurricane caused by Typhoon Tisoy, which hit the Bicol region hard on December 1.
“’Yung bahay namin, dinaanan ng ipuipo, nadala lahat, six days before competition nagkabagyo, tapos tumawag ‘yung asawa ko sabi, ‘Wala na ‘yung bahay natin’,” he said. “Naiyak ako pero sabi ko sa kanila na ‘wag kayong panghinaan ng loob kasi God is in control."
He said: "Nagpasalamat ako na ligtas ‘yung pamilya ko."
Although disheartened by the incident, the 28-year-old clung to his faith and held his head high. He realized the recent construction of their bathroom had been a blessing; that's where his mother, father, wife, and child took shelter to keep safe.
“Hindi ko na inisip ‘yung pagkasira ng bahay, inisip ko paano sinave ni Lord ‘yung pamilya ko. May dahilan kung bakit naging yero na ‘yung CR namin, hiwalay kasi ‘yung CR namin sa bahay, doon sila tumakbo. Simula pagkabata ko, last month lang na-yero ‘yung CR namin — ibig sabihin, pinrepare talaga ni Lord para may mapuntahan sila,” he shared.
Focused on his training, Calano continued to prepare for the regional meet. His family currently stays in a waiting shed constructed by the local barangay council.
“May tiwala ako sa salita ng Diyos kaya hindi ko pinpropoblema, focus lang talaga ako, ‘yun lang ang motivation ko pero proud ako sa sarili ko,” he said.
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