The Heart of a Filipino VS a Super Typhoon

LANDFALL

It was around 8:00 pm on the evening of December 16 when Super typhoon "Odette" made landfall in my Island hometown of Lapu-Lapu City. My family and I made preparations beforehand by purchasing groceries and stocking up a few gallons of water, then we carried on thinking " it's just another December storm". The night was eeriely peaceful and then I remembered a phrase I keep hearing my whole life but never fully understood, "the calm before the storm" and then it hit us. Extremely harsh winds started blowing. The peaceful night made a scary turn. Typhoon "Odette" didn't come with heavy rains but the harsh winds made all the damage. Trees started to fall, roof panels started to fly like playing cards, and window glasses started to break. It continued like that for more than 3 hours and we couldn't do anything about it. At least not yet.

Day 1 - AFTERMATH

The super typhoon ravaged my hometown with fierce winds we have never experienced before. I remember waking up at around 6 to check the aftermath and the scenes were like that of a post apocalyptic movie. It was complete chaos. Most trees were uprooted, debris can be found everywhere, and electrical posts have fallen to the ground. But very early, the strong heart of the Filipinos are on display. Neighbors have started cleaning debris and gathered pieces of their houses while checking on each other with smiles on their faces.

We were just hit by a super typhoon and yet I don't hear a single person complaining and I don't see a person with a broken spirit. Instead, we carried on and moved forward. .

Day 2

Life is hard and everyday has become a test of patience and strong will. Electricity is down, mobility is limited due to the fallen electrical posts, there is no running water, we are slowly running out of drinking water and prices of commodities have doubled, even tripled. People are panicking and have have realized the dire impacts of the calamity. There were long lines for groceries and getting petrol can take half a day. The price of a candle have tripled and drinking water is now a scarce commodity.

We will need help to rebuild our houses and to buy supply of basic goods necessary to survive, but I know in my heart that Filipino resiliency will not be shaken. Whether or not help is on the way, we will move forward.

Day 16 - NEW YEAR

A new page turns and it's day 16. It's new year and people are slowly regaining their footing. Damaged roofs are covered temporarily with tarpaulins, fallen electrical posts on the roads have been cleared to increase mobility, and the hoarding of goods have stopped as people stopped to panic. Running water is back (rationed), electricity has been restored in a few areas, and people have discovered where to source basic commodities. Information on where to buy basic needs have become instrumental in surviving the whole ordeal.

Despite all the challenges, the Filipino people have remained resilient and even made humble preparations to celebrate the new year, a real testament to Filipino resiliency. After a storm we always say: "Bagyo ka lang, Pinoy kami", which roughly translates to "It's just a storm, WE ARE FILIPINOS". Together as one community, we will rise and become even stronger.

Cheers to the New Year!

If you wish to Donate to the rebuilding of homes and for basic goods, please do let me know so we can support our brothers and sisters in need.