MANILA, Philippines – Some residents in a village in Marikina City made an effort to celebrate Christmas despite the tragedy that struck them following the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy almost three months ago.
 
“Pipilitin naming magsaya dahil Pasko pero matagal bago namin makalimutan ang nangyari," said Provident Village resident Josefina Layawen.

Layawen and her family still prepared food to serve to visitors coming over to their house for Christmas.

The 88-year-old Layawen becomes emotional every time she remembers that fateful day when the typhoon flooded their village and destroyed the house she lived in for 35 years.

Evidence of the typhoon’s devastation can still be seen around the village. Many houses in the village have been abandoned and put up for sale by its owners.

Meanwhile, Claudio Acutem and his family celebrated Christmas and his grandson’s christening at the same time. The flood had left an extensive damage to their home.

Based on data from the government's National Disaster Coordinating Council, nearly 500 people died during typhoon Ondoy's onslaught. Data also showed that more than a million people, mostly in Metro Manila, were affected by the typhoon's floods.