Pinoys waited for Ramil for days. The experience and the lessons learned from the two strong typhoons ‘Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng’ created the hoped- for reactions. Citizens, government, and NGOs and private groups got themselves ready. Rubber boats were deployed to the north which was the expected target of the onslaught; Trucks and other vehicles were stationed in the highways for clearing- up debris; relief goods were packed ( my daughter Mag volunteered in the packing brigade stationed in Malacanang); and Pag- asa weather bureau was giving hourly updates. Broadcasters/ their guests were providing practical tips nonstop to ease typhoon woes ; homes stacked up on food (laging hindi na puno ang mga supermarts- out of stock din ang maraming produkto na suspetsa ko’y regular na nakapaloob sa mga relief bags for typhoon victims (Payless noodles and Kopiko 3 in 1 coffee especially, mga mura at masarap na brands patronized by ordinary people like me)
We heaved a small sigh of relief when typhoon Ramil (international name ‘LUPIT’- did you know that tayong mga Pinoy and nagsubmit ng ngalang iyan sa pandaigdigang nagmamanman sa world weather?) did not fare as everyone feared. He dilly- dallied while staying in the country’s area of responsibility for days but decided to veer further northwards and away from the country. Evacuees numbering 2, 500 in the Ilocos area have now started going back to their villages and homes. Our local weather bureau, Pag- asa however, warns residents to be alert for flashfloods and landslides due to the recent inundation of the soil from the two strong typhoons that wrought havoc to many parts of the nation and the rains that were Ramil’s.
The sigh of relief is not so big because we still fear the coming of more typhoons- it is something no one can control. It is a consolation that the two typhoons that brought unhappy episodes in the chapters of life of thousands have provided lessons that will serve us well in future- in readiness for calamaties, sincere concern for nature and the environment, dedication to the people that government serves, and a ready and loving response from more fortunate citizens towards victims.
Which prods me to make an addendum to my account of my niece, Marjorie’s efforts to help out the flood victims in her community in Marikina City.
From the first few days ( after ‘Ondoy’) of cooking and delivering packed meals to victims, she happily told me that her home has now become an outreach center, continuing to deliver small but meaning-ful assists (to our thinking, ha)to victims who we know will have a long time in getting back to ‘normalcy’ in their daily lives.
Marjorie said it all started on her husband, Jesse’s birthday (Oct. 9) when friends and associates called to greet him. Jesse said he wanted no gift for himself but hoped to dedicate his birthday to the flood victims in Marikina. Lo and behold, they poured out their love and respect for this nephew- in law of mine in the form of donations, cash and kind. They gave a collective amount of Php350, 000.00 plus.Donors included Cobb- Vantress Philippines where Jesse works, PhilMalay Breeders, personal friends, neighbors at Milagrosa Subdivision in Marikina City, kumadres and kumpadres and friends.
Next, Marj texted friends and neighbors to come over and help pack- target is the provision of school things for the pupils of Concepcion 1 Elementary School, Concepcion Integrated School and Saint Mary’s Elementary School in Marikina. The kit contained ballpens and pencils, notebooks and pad paper, facetowels, small items needed to do homeworks and school projects and a big plastic envelope to bring to school. The donors and yes, even personnel of the companies also came and shared in the packing and delivering of the items. They were able to serve some 5000 schoolchildren and the schools’ faculties and staff. They accomplished all of these without fanfare.
Looks like the Christmas season this year will not be as festive as the past Christmases I have known.
When before,one would hear Christmas carols and songs permeating the airwaves as early as the start of the ‘BER’ months (that’s September), now,news updates on upcoming weather disturbance, devel-opments in the rehab operations, and a thousand and one tips on health and safety during typhoons and storms seem to be the order of the day.
I have a feeling (and hope) that mall and shopowners who regard the Christmas season as one big event of raking in profit will practice moderation this year- in the cost with which they promote the idea that one should give (and buy) heaps and heaps of presents for loved ones, dear friends, esteemed colleagues and pinagsisipsipang bossing.
Parang out of place kasi sa mga panahong ito when millions of Filipinos remain (and will remain for quite a time) heartbroken from the recent floodings. Already, it is reported that 80% of plants and crops were destroyed; roads and highways need repairs; health conditions in affected areas are bad- leptospyrosis cases are up; rehab work need to be done in many areas of concern.
Sana I donate na rin nila a big part of their profit to helping flood victims.
In the micro level, isipin nyo na lang ang isang pamilyang kailangang ayusin ( or worse, altogether magtayo ng panibago) ang kanilang tahanan. Starting with repair of mga gumewang na structures( ang bubong, dingding, mga pintuang warped by the waters)…tapos, bibili ng basic (basic lang muna ha) things na nasira or inanod ng baha (stove, tangke ng gas if it’s a gas stove, mga kaldero, kama, kumot, plato, tasa, baso…if, may kotse ka pa, naku, sira na yan kung hindi nyo ipinaayos agad! Kinalawang na ang loob nyan.
Worse, paano ang mga nabasang important documents- titulo ng bahay at lupa, birth/ marriage/ and other certificates, OR- CR ng inyong stainless jeep on your file? All these have to be reconstructed – lalakarin nyo sa Census, LTO, sa Land Registrar, at kung saan- saan pa.
Worst pa kung wala kang pag- aari, kung halimbawa ay nakikisquat ka at nagtitinda ka lang ng banana at camote q sa labas ng bahay para makakain ng tatlong beses sang araw. Ubos na ang puhunang inutang mo sa bumbay. Paano na?
These are really very trying situations. Very desperate pa nga lalo na dun sa mga sobra ang kahirapan.
Tell me nga how can we enjoy Christmas when we think of these people?
I can not and I know that you can’t either.
I am making my Christmas plans already. It will be big. It is my family’s Christmas tradition to dine and give presents to people coming from depressed areas near my community- mga kabataan sa MatangTubig, mga magkakariton na sa gabi ay nakahimpil along NDomingo St (yes, yung kariton na gamit nila panghakot ng kalakal na basura ay sya rin nilang tahanan at tulugan sa gabi). I will aim to make more people feel Christmas Day- iyan ang aking plan for Christmas. Mababaw na kaligayahan lang- food na pangPasko, konting regalo. My family will try to make them feel that the day is special. Birthday ni Jesus Christ na nagregalo naman ng kanyang buong sarili para sa ating lahat.
Pero, bago ang Pasko, undas muna. I am ready to visit my dear departeds (Papa, Mama, Kuya Tony and Emil, Ate Nene). I am readying my candles and flowers.
For your reactions, comments and suggestions, p[lease email me at mediastrat@gmail.com
