“Aside from the uplifting news about Manicani Island, Eastern Samar (wherein there was only 1 casualty from its population of 3,000), here’s more from that island: According to KumoNews, when Us Marine Maj. John Orio flew his chopper into the isolated island, he only expected to be giving out goods – not receiving them! Filipino hospitality shines in Maricani as they treated Orio to a fresh coconut and a giant crab. They also had the strongest men help unload the relief goods in an orderly fashion.
Their smiles on TV and their positivity are what we need after a week of blaming, politicizing, and lambasting.”
That is US Marine Major John Orio, whose photos are being shared through social media. Last November 16, the marines landed in Manicani island in Eastern Samar, one of the typhoon-affected areas in the Visayas, to give out relief goods flown in from the USS George Washington aircraft carrier.
As soon as their helicopter landed, dozens of local men hurriedly came to welcome them and to help in the unloading of the supplies and water. No stampede or fighting over who’s getting what. Rather, the locals gave them a taste of their own kindness.
US Marine Major John Orio and other Navy officers are in the Phlippines, flying into isolated islands and places devastated by typhoon Yolanda, as part of the relief efforts of the US government through their “Operation Damayan.”