Miracle baby escapes death thrice

by Rhea B. Peñaflor
Typhoon Yolanda Story Hub


Amil Cañete was only eight days old when Typhoon Yolanda hit Northern Iloilo. He survived death, not once but thrice. 

Angel Cañete, Amil’s mother shares “We were inside the house when the wind started to become strong. We wanted to go to the church but we were not able to do so because the trees started falling. My husband went to seek refuge in a mango tree but I saw that the tree is about to collapse too, so I shouted and they were able to run. We went to the church but we saw that the sea is coming to us, the waves are getting bigger. The church wasn’t spared so we hurried to climb the mountains.”

From the mountain, Amil turned bluish and his mother shouted for help to throw her a dry clothing so she can cover the newborn infant as he was already very wet. Milk was coming out from Amil’s nose and mouth. Someone threw a shirt and Amil’s mother was able to wrap him. After that, he was wet again because of the heavy rains. Miraculously, Amil’s mother found a “carpet” in the mountain that kept him warm. It is this carpet that kep Amil warm until morning.

The next day, Amil’s mother decided to bring Amil to the town to have him checked if he was okay. This miracle baby once again survived the boat accident when the boat which they took capsized because a pig ran loose and kicked the boat.

“I placed Amil in a plastic box cover and he started to float in the water. I was crying begging for help. We were lucky that there was a pumpboat that passed by and helped us. I shouted to make sure Amil was okay, to secure the plastic box cover,” Amil’s mother reveals.

There are miracles. Amil is only one of the few miracles that happened during this tragic disaster that Yolanda brought to Northern Iloilo.