ANYTIME from now as I publish this blog, another strong typhoon is about to hit the country.
Its international code name is frightening – Lupit – that I would rather call him by its local name, Ramil, who is by the way a namesake of the Philippine Basketball Association’s technical committee official and a veteran sportswriter whom I shared countless nights covering ball games.
Curiously, this veteran sportswriter whom I knew for 11 years now, happened to be a victim of a devastating storm – just like me -- that wrecked havoc in our nation, creating a sea of flood from towns in Rizal, Laguna and key cities in the metropolis like Pasig and Marikina.
Ondoy was an unwelcome visitor, damaging properties, taking away lives and breaking the hearts of thousands of families, some of them losing their loved ones – from direct family members, their favorite pets and even every animal species who have been part of their daily lives, and friends whom we shared great memories with.
For two days, Ondoy kept as in the dark – literally and figuratively – in our rented small, studio-type unit in Cainta as its collective rain downpour recorded as the most number of rain falls that showered the metropolis, was the most in five decades.
Too bad for us, we live in the ground floor inside a compound but what caught us surprised was the flood entered our home and the water quickly went up. In just a matter of minutes, the water have gone up, chest-deep.
And before I could save everything, it was already around 6 feet and I couldn’t save it all.
Personal items were devastated, including the one gifted to me by the late Bert Cuevas, my former editor and wedding sponsor.
For two days, I have barely eaten. The first meal for the day came around 8 p.m. when a kindhearted neighbor offered a bowl of oatmeal – which I normally don’t eat – then the next day I got instant noodles after a considerate retailer nearby threw us the noodles, which floated because of the flood.
Since they cannot do business for a particular days, or make it days, it would be advisable if he would just share those goods in times of distress. Choppers flew every moment, possibly one after every half an hour, but we were not been provided any assistance. Maybe, there were more who needed the help most so we lived by the day.
It was survival. Up there, in our neighbor’s terrace, we saw refrigerators turned into a boat as well as sofas following the running water down the streets as if a sail competition was in store.
We managed to blurt out some fun even on trying times, but deep down inside us, we couldn’t wait for the sun to shine and hope everything goes back to normal immediately.
For me, it was the biggest event I’ve ever covered. Sure, I was the source of the story, but on this bleak day, I was the topic, too. It was like sailing, chase for the fastest time to get your belongings on safer grounds and survival all in one. But it wasn’t a game. It’s real, action-packed, suspense where lives are at stake.
It was pure dark at night as electricity was forced to be shut down. Worse, even communication lines, such as mobile phone, was cut off temporarily.
It was only a day after when I received a text message from a high-ranking official who have no idea that I’m one of those who needed help as well. But the shocking message brought me back to realization that I am one of those fortunate enough to live for another day.
The message brought gave me goose bumps. It read: Pease pray for the soul of our beloved Tony Chua of Barako Bull, who passed away at the time when Ondoy was terrorizing most parts of the metropolis and provinces nearby.
The third day saw us a little glimmering light. Streets were now down to waist-deep in flood. As my stomach was grumbling so as my mind telling me that I need to do it to survive, I walked to get something to eat.
The remnants of the storm that just ravaged us two days ago mirrored the pain the entire area was suffering at that time – establishments were swept and totally not fit to do business, people crammed to get on board be it on jeepneys, taxis or buses while many were forced to walk.
The first decent meal I got after three days came from a different city, in Libis, Quezon City, wherein a Mcdonald’s chain was operating. Never mind how I looked that day with mud staining my shirt and haven’t taken a bath as there was no water supply either, but my stomach tells my mind that I need to act – and fast.
A Shopwise Supermarket was just few blocks away and I needed to buy a new bed. Again, I wasn’t curious with the way I looked. I was more concerned to purchase something which me and my family needed at once.
Days passed by and the remnants were still there – personal items, most of them valuables, were turned to junk. Clothes which we wore, including those favorite of ours, were turned into rags.
Oh yes, there were more. My laptop, my cellular phone and the PSP, which my wife bought for diversion. They all needed repairs, too. But life, more than anything else, is the most essential. I’m thankful we survived all of these. My loved ones still remain intact that I could spend days and nights, share every moments with them and that hope springs eternal to all of us.
But time has tested us to remain strong – and be prepared at least. After Ondoy came Pepeng and it whipped Northern Luzon for days causing hundreds of lives. The next one that would hit us – Oh, God, spare us for another one – remains unpredictable.
Help, assistance and relief goods are mere temporarily. What we need is the Philippines to come up with a program that would give importance and keep everyone aware regarding global warming and what ways should we do as to help lessen or avoid such another tragic scenario. Some said it happened once in a lifetime. But history tend to repeat itself and we don’t want to experience yet another forgettable one.
God said he would spare us from another Noah’s Ark scenario. But the earth is for the people to live and the children of God should protect it with utmost care.
The nation weeps. Our country, one of those belonging to Third World, is crippling, needs help. And the people should stop the blame but find a solution because when nature struck, there’s nothing you, me or anybody could do. Let us all be part of the solution.
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