The Philippines and the Wrath of Haiyan (Yolanda)

image source: news.msn.com

There was the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Then just more than a week ago, the super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). It has been harrowing and petrifying in my country recently. It’s the kind of time when I wished the superheroes that always saved the world in movies and TV series would become real and hopefully do their jobs. But nay, that is real fantasy-fiction and we can’t evade the powerful force of Mother Nature. And as the world continues to revolve and evolve, we will also experience more of these catastrophes in the future. All we need to do is be prepared all the time.

The horrendous 7.2 magnitude earthquake left the island of Bohol, Philippines in devastation. Hundreds were recorded dead, historical landmarks ruined, homes destroyed, and roads, buildings and other infrastructures were damaged. The island is still in almost total darkness. And though the local and national government, private organizations and generous individuals work hand in hand to help the Boholanos rise from the fall, it would take a long time to heal everything.

But while Bohol is starting to pick up the pieces from the devastation, super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) battered several towns of the province just few weeks after the earthquake. But in Bohol’s neighboring provinces, the typhoon claimed thousands of lives, left cities and towns [almost] windswept, and people in desolation. I know the victims would later move on from the tragedy, but I wonder how they will start a new beginning.

Cebu City was partly affected by the typhoon. I can still recall that at 4a.m. on November 8, 2013, the heavens had already shown something ominous. I couldn’t establish a connection with the Internet, which impede me to work from home. Then, the downpour and the sun didn’t even got the chance to show its might. We knew it was coming.

Throughout the day, I was in my boarding house [made of light materials], listening to the howling of the strong winds and the pouring rain. The sound of it was like rolling boulders from the hills. I saw flying tin roofs, tree branches breaking and falling and few residents from the neighborhood securing their properties amid the life-threatening phenomenon.

My family kept on updating me on the progress of the typhoon until it finally took a landfall in the northern part of Cebu. Super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) was absolutely strong. All I could do was get ready with my emergency bag [containing extra clothes and a blanket, a litre of bottled water, a loaf of bread and biscuits, chocolate bars, few easy-open canned goods, small flashlight, and a small medicine kit] and fervently prayed. Then, the rest was a painful history.

In the past few days, I was following the Facebook posts, tweets and news on the Internet relating to the aftermath of the recent super typhoon that hit the Philippines. It is heart-crushing to see the ruins and hear the agonizing stories of the victims. There is no greater pain than seeing your brethren in such unspeakable situation. Everything is heartbreaking.

My country has been battered not only by these disasters. The political turmoil is also disappointing majority of the Filipinos. Even in times of urgency, there are still many politicians who think about their own personal and political interests. Each time I read posts on Facebook about the recent issues with the Philippine government, I could only sigh in frustration. At times, I regret I never voted for the past many elections. But then I was thinking, it doesn’t matter.

Now, the least we could do, aside from getting angry and questioning at how the government is run by our current leaders, is to help our brethren in our own little ways. Sharing a bit of our blessings and time are already huge contributions. After extending myself to different organizations in their relief drives, I realized that it is more fulfilling to be selfless for those who really need. I know that the Filipinos will survive these crises. In time, those who are directly affected will smile again and embrace hope for a brand new beginning. May these tragedies teach us many lessons that we could use to effect change in our country, community and home.

My condolence goes to those who are mourning for their dead, especially in the province of Leyte. May the souls of the dead peacefully rest. For those who survive, don’t lose hope and hold on to your faith in God. For all of us, let us continue to extend help, prayers and bring awareness across the globe. Aside from that, let us do something for our environment for it really needs our immediate attention. Let us always read the signs of times, have the nose for news, and be prepared for any disaster.

In behalf of the Filipino people, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for all the help that came and are still coming from all over the world. Thank you very much and mabuhay kayo!

Philippines’ 7.2-Magnitude Earthquake: A Personal Account

Partially damaged Chocolate Hills (credit: abs-cbnnews.com)

The 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit the Philippines the other day, with the epicenter on the island of Bohol, left damages of monumental proportions. Several antediluvian churches in the province, which existed since the Spanish era, either collapsed or tremendously ruined. Fatalities and injuries are still rising, and damage to private properties, commercial establishments and infrastructures were also reported and are still measured.

The actual event

I was in the middle of writing my second article for the day when the event occurred. We hold office on the fifth floor of a 15-floor tower here in Cebu but we were rocked frighteningly. Thank God my team didn’t panic. I heard objects falling, yet no screams of people in terror. Only an indescribable droning warning us of its powerful arrival. I thought that was the strongest earthquake I have experienced so far.

The connection

Somewhere in the middle of my own silent space, I realized I was fervently praying for the first time. The first images that flashed through my mind was my family. So while ducking, I reached for my cellphone at the top of my cubicle and tried calling my sister, but sadly I could not connect. I thought that was my end and we would only become part of the rubble where rescuers would recover subsequently. But then I continued  praying, without doubt.

The interlude

After what I thought was forever, the tremor stopped and we thought we needed to vacate the building. Funny thing was, I still managed to get all my important belongings and locked my computer before rushing to the emergency exit along with my colleagues to join many others. Somehow, I managed to connect with my family and glad they were all safe as well. Hundreds of employees gathered on the open ground for safety. Some were crying, some were utterly shocked but some still managed to laugh. Maybe, these are the typical natures of the Filipinos amidst a horrifying calamity.

Flashback

I had the same experience last year when a 6.9-magnitude earthquake also hit the country. What was worst about it was that people panicked, maybe because they were misinformed. Personally, I was crazy that time because there was the rumor of tsunami already engulfing the downtown area. People flooded the streets carrying their personal properties, including few appliances. Vehicles of all sizes were stucked on the highways. It was a picture of a so-called Apocalypse in the movies. Fortunately, the news of tsunami was a hoax.

The present time

In the middle of the other day’s calamity, I saw a calmer public. Probably, because we already had our first time to experience substantial tremors. Most people are now aware of the essential things to do when events like earthquake would occur. Thanks to social media networks and the Internet for feeding us with real-time updates, from different parts of the province and its neighboring provinces, related to the catastrophe.

Lessons learned

Although, I believe it is also our instinct to protect ourselves and be safe, what we do and how we react in times of calamities will greatly affect our survival. The best lesson I learned from the recent earthquake was composure. Panic will get us to nowhere but complication and further chaos. When we are composed, we are alert. When we are alert, we will know what to do and where to go, without a blindfold.

What people need to know

Many of us are aware of the controversial “triangle of life” email chain that definitely confuse the public. It gave some vital insight though, but we still need to be careful and remember the time-tested safety procedures. Based on my experience, that would still be most effective weapon that we could use to avoid injuries from possible falling objects or roofs. Click here.

Aside from knowing the procedures, we should be calm. And, we need to be informed and be aware. Disaster awareness is definitely one of the best tools that can help protect the public from the life-threatening disasters. Most of all, don’t forget to deeply pray.

Overall

Honestly, I despise those people who, each time there is a catastrophe, would declare through Facebook and other social networks that it is already the time of purification, of the world’s cleansing. That these calamities are God’s way of telling us of Christ’s second coming.

Who are you to judge? Who are you to speak of the prophecies? I respect your religiosity and beliefs but don’t try to be godly in the eyes of the public. We are all in the same boat and what you are doing is not enough to validate your salvation. Why not encourage the public to strengthen their faith in God and pray from the heart, and do something to help?

But here’s the truth, we will never know when is our end. Let’s just try to do some significant things that would not only save ourselves, but the humanity. We don’t need to be the hero, but just look around you and see if there was something you can contribute.

As of today, we still experience mild to substantial aftershocks. According to the authorities, we will be experiencing these aftershocks in weeks.

Be informed. Be alert. Be safe!