Before Super Typhoon Tino even made landfall in Cotcot, Liloan, something felt wrong. The sky turned an unsettling shade of red — a sight that made 47-year-old Nato Hingone and his family uneasy. Still, no one expected the devastation that was about to unfold.
At first, the storm seemed ordinary, but by early morning, the waters began to rise at an alarming speed. Within minutes, the road outside their home turned into a rushing river. Nato rushed his family upstairs, but the flood climbed so fast that they could no longer save any belongings.
As families scrambled for safety — some climbing and breaking through their roofs just to escape — Nato first ensured his own family was safe. Then, despite the cold, hunger, and chaos, he chose to rescue his neighbors, sharing what little food they had with those trapped and shivering nearby.
When the storm finally passed, reality hit hard. Their entire store was washed out. Their home was covered in mud. They had lost everything.
Despite the heartbreak, Nato held firmly to his faith. His family found comfort in their church, which welcomed and supported them in their time of need. Even as survivors themselves, the Hingone family continued serving in the church, believing that giving what little strength they had was still worth it.
That’s why when Operation Blessing arrived in their community for disaster response, Nato didn’t hesitate to volunteer.
Operation Blessing distributed food bags, solar lamps, sleeping mats, blankets, hygiene kits, and essential relief items — the very things families needed as they tried to recover in homes filled with mud, without power and clean water. For Nato’s family, every item made a real difference.
But beyond the supplies, what moved Nato the most was the effort Operation Blessing made to reach a community that had suffered so deeply. He saw firsthand how the team chose to brave difficult conditions just to help families like his.
Having lost everything himself, Nato found meaning in serving alongside Operation Blessing — helping distribute relief to neighbors who were also struggling. It became his way of giving back, of standing with others the way people stood with him.
Today, Nato and his family continue rebuilding, hopeful, and steadfast. Though the journey ahead is long, they believe they will rise again. He shares, “As long as we live, we will serve the Lord. Even if we face hunger, danger, or death — nothing will separate us from Him. With God’s help, we will rise again.”
In one of their hardest seasons, Operation Blessing stood with them — bringing not just relief, but light, strength, and hope when they needed it most.
