10.05.2009

Ondoy and Pepeng Changed Me...

While on my Facebook page, I happen to stumble on a video showing how Manila was battered by typhoon Ondoy.

Cars suddenly floating on rushing muddy waters, piling up like toys left unattended, people struggling to free themselves from the rampaging river to safety but to no avail and people walking on neck-deep floodwaters are a few to mention.

It was so terrifying that I wonder if everything happened. What happened and what I saw from the internet is what disaster movies are made of, and the past few weeks seems to be a sequence of non-ending episodes of a destruction movie saga. One may never measure how powerful nature can be with its destructive hand.

Luckily, I wasn't in Pasig when the floods emerged. But a week after Ondoy's wrath, one can still see the marks of the maximum level of the flood inside the home (judging, should be 1 m deep). Every furniture was brought upstairs save for the cabinets. Everyone home was safe.

It was depressing to know that most of our brothers and sisters have suffered and lost a lot that most were not prepared to face the cataclysmic events of the past week. Millions worth of property damaged, thousands were evacuated, lives were lost in the most horrifying fashion imaginable.

Sadly, some are taking the the situation to create further panic and hysteria. Erroneous SMS, multiple relief good gathering, and yes, expired relief goods. (My Gaaaaaad!!)

But then, the spirit of Pinoy humor still emanates despite the calamities. A number of text message made me laugh the whole day (literally!) are as follows...

Wala na si Ondoy... pero umuulan pa rin... dala lang siguro ni Pepeng Basa...

PAGASA states that Pepeng's could area is too large that's why storm was renamed Pepeng Malaki (I SOOO laughed at this!)

But then, the best thing about what happened was that old relationships came to bond again. Lives gapped for years by anger and resentment are finally reinstated. Relatives came calling us thru landline, (yes, after a week!) checking on the status of the Pasig homes.

And with all the horror that I witnessed thru the videos I see, all I can do is pause and say a silent prayer for all who perished and lost. It is as if life somehow was more precious and worthwhile that I submit myself to those who I care and cherish...

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