A teenager who helped save around 50 people from flash floods in Barangay Jubay, Liloan, during the onslaught of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) was awarded a full scholarship for his bravery.
The Liloan municipality in Cebu Province granted a scholarship for 15-year-old Jayboy Magdadaro in recognition of his “heroic act” of saving around 50 people who needed help navigating floodwaters brought by torrential rains from “Tino”.
Reports said that Jayboy loaded each of the flood victims in a small boat and brought them to a safe area in their barangay.
It almost took him the whole day to rescue the individuals as he braved the rising floodwaters and heavy rains at that time.
“Kahit malakas ang tubig, pinilit kong tumulong kasi naririnig ko ang sigaw ng tao,” Jayboy said in an interview.
He shared that his love for skimboarding at sea gave him the skills to traverse the floodwaters.
In return, his town granted him a full scholarship until college, including any course of his choice.
Reports said that the scholarship covers all school fees and includes a monthly allowance of P3,000.
“Scholarship for teenage hero,” the Liloan local government said in a Facebook post.
Cebu Province was among the hardest hit by “Tino”, which claimed at least 232 lives and displaced several communities.
The typhoon caused widespread severe flooding, resulting in the Cotcot River overflowing, among others.
State weather bureau PAGASA reported that rainfall in Cebu exceeded a 20-year return period, meaning there is a 5% chance of such extreme rainfall occurring in any given year.
Most of the heavy rains fell after “Tino” made landfall in Silago, Southern Leyte, PAGASA added.
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