For almost two weeks after typhoon Haiyan left the city of Tacloban in Leyte province in devastation, most media photographs and video showed the victims still looking totally dazed and shocked, in pain and state of desperation, and disbelief at the situation that befell them. There were moments that also saw them in anger or state of self pity as most waited and queued for precious food and water that would reach them so very late because authorities were having a difficult time transporting these precious goods to intended beneficiaries. There was the unavailability of big transport to carry the bulky items and the difficulty in crossing roads and bridges then littered with the debris brought in by storm surges that virtually wiped out many homes, ricefields, and infra- structure in the city and nearby towns of the province.
Thousands displaced were housed in cramped quarters in tent cities and temporary shelters. Many, especially the young people and the senior citizens became ill because of lack of food and unhealthy conditions in the temporary shelters. Not one felt comfortable to be housed under this situation. The stay was supposed to be temporary- what an ambivalent word! Would ‘temporary’ mean a year of waiting? What if it took more years- just the thought would make the elder members of the household so insecure.
Families were deeply worried of the future. The menfolk would wonder how they could find work for a living, the pupils and students missed being in school, and the women frowned at thoughts of family members not being fed right, catching illnesses, and not having any money inside their pockets- that’s a big worry for everyone. Everyone worried about tomorrow.
Government still has to present the city with plans to rebuild- how can residents have their homes? Will there be jobs for their husbands? Will water and power be restored to make life normal for them? Mababaw, one might say, but that’s what life truly means to the simple man- all he wants is a family, a comfortable home, food for everyone three times a day and perhaps 2 snacktimes, the kids being in school, as this will be their only way not to grow up in poverty. Ganun lang naman their dreams, That is why they wondered why, of all places on earth, the big typhoon had to choose the eye of the storm in Tacloban City.
One or two media journalists, in describing the devastation brought about by the supertyphoon reported on the victims moving like zombies- walking about in catatonic state, their faces and minds blank, initially in denial state perhaps, as they refused to believe that this catastrophe just happened to them. After acceptance, I felt that most went into the desperation stage as they did not believe that rebuilding the city is possible. That is why so many took their chances to be included as passengers of the government’s C130 planes to land either in Cebu province or MetroManila to start looking for a new life. The others who stayed behind because they had no relatives or friends to help them get back on their feet again in these two cities just prayed and begged for God’s help for their future.
And this is the reason why Manny Pacquiao’s victory in the boxing ring in Shanghai meant so much more to Tacloban City residents and victims. Initially, the people who hatched the idea of setting up big tv screens where Tacloban City residents could view the Pacquiao- Rios boxing match on Sunday, November 24 thought that it would be a good respite for the down-and-out typhoon victims. They needed some form of entertainment and this game was it.
Of course the thousands of viewers in Tacloban City jumped in jubilation when our compatriot won the game. Di man napatumba, ok na rin- so says one senior citizen. ‘Sa bawat suntok ni Manny kay Rios, para na ring nasunto ko si Yolanda (local name of typhoon Haiyan).’ Exclaimed another. ‘Parang nabalik na rin yung bahay kong dinala ng bagyo’, that’s the hearty words of one victim- viewer. Cheery grins and wide smiles were what we all saw as we watched news reports of how the devastated city reacted to watching that boxing match.
For those who, like me, are too old to go and do volunteer work in Tacloban, we can only imagine what thoughts and feelings our kababayans brought with them when the fight ended and everyone had to go back to their temporary shelters.
I am a true- blue optimist and I thought each of these typhoon survivor bursts with inspiration from Manny Pacquiao and his will to win again. Pacquiao’s last 2 fights made almost every Pinoy cry in defeat and pity for our fallen hero. But Sunday saw us smiling again and hoping that Manny will reach new heights in his boxing career before he retires from the ring. Di ba parehas sila ng sitwasyon- bumagsak. But not all is lost as Pacquiao trained once more and harder than before.
That’s what the Leytenos will want to do today. Many are now asking for implements to use to build their homes. Many are back into their old fallen homes to retrieve whatever they can that still could be used to rebuild.
The pugilist from GenSan has become the Taclobanos’ icon of hope- I don’t think the financial and material help that he is sure to extend to them as balatos- still much needed by them, will overshadow the appreciation that the victims now hold in their hearts for this guy who is a living proof that after loss and defeat comes victory- when one tries hard enough, works much, and makes patience and determination the leading values to live by.
I have no doubt that the people of Tacloban City and other places hit hard by the supertyphoon will rise again quick and fast!
THANK YOU, TORONTO!
