I likened Ondoy to a nightmare replaying itself all over again. I just now realized that it
was not a very good analogy for the vey simple reason that Ondoy is real and is leaving a terrible mark in Manila and surrounding regions.
Just last June 2008, we went through a similar experience in the Visayas (which explains the nightmare analogy) and speaking from that, the relief and rehabilitation efforts going on in the Philippines right now will be going on for months. The onslaught of typhoon Ondoy was devastating but the aftermath will be even worse. And I'm an optimist.
Tropical storm Ondoy, international name Ketsana, left in its wake a reported death toll of 246 (as of September 29) and several more missing plus nearly P5 billion worth of damages. These are merely facts and figures but the effects of this natural disaster is magnified when you take it to the level of the affected individuals. Sitting here in front of a computer monitor, I am a hundred times removed from the victims who are cramped in some overpopulated evacuation area in Manila or elsewhere, subsisting on noodles and other rationed goods. Now, I do not need to be melodramatic about this, for it is all too disheartening in itself.
HOWEVER, one does not need to pretend that there is a bright side in all these because THERE IS. As relief efforts by the government carry on, church and non-profit organizations, large corporations such as big media companies, internet regulars, celebrities, and various individuals are reaching out.
Also, several stories of heroism are posted on the web, one being that of 2 Army soldiers and 4 members of the Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Units (CAFGU) who died after being swept away by flash floods while they were rescuing people in Laguna, a province outside of Manila.
The president of the Philippines has also opened the doors of the presidential palace and declared it to be the center of relief operations. The political turmoil in the country, with presidentiables and their detractors throwing accusations at each other has been put to a pause in the face of this crisis. If you ask me, that's definitely a bright side to this.
Foreign aid in the form of monetary and rescue operations assistance by the US and promise of more donations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other countries have been given to the country.
There is news of another storm, with international code name "Parma", to hit the Philippines tomorrow, September 30. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) already has a name for it once it enters Philippine territory-- “Pepeng", once it enters Philippine territory. It's like nature has a warped sense of humor. But I'm sure God doesn't. He certainly doesn't find it funny that lives were lost and homes were shattered. So, as we brace ourselves for another possible blow while the country is still reeling from the last, I'm counting on the Filipino spirit and a God who's in control to see us through.
A story was told about a father of a little boy who was mentally handicapped. He went through the expected pains and difficulties of raising a special child like his. One time, several boys in the neighborhood invited the boy to play softball in the community park. The dad was hesitant to let his boy play for fear that the other kids could hurt him with childish ridicule. He decided to give it a chance because his son was quite excited. When it was the little boy's turn to bat, his dad almost wanted to grab him and run, especially after the first strike. However, the boys all around the field started to cheer for his kid. The pitcher then threw the ball a little slower. the little boy was able to hit the ball and while both teams egged him on, he ran as fast as he could all around the bases and onto the home plate. Meanwhile, the fielders were obviously moving slowly so they wouldn't get the ball in time. The father looked on with tears in his eyes as his boy gave a whoop of joy and his playmates cheered happily.
At the end of the story, when his little boy was about to die at a very young age due to complications from his condition, he came to a realization that God allows such terrible things we couldn't fully comprehend, like the special little boy and tropical storms that takes away lives and homes, to make our spirit stronger, to teach us about reaching out and giving.
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