Typhoon Ondoy: the long road to rehabilitation

Visiting areas hardly hit by Typhoon Ondoy was a moving and eyeopening experience. Somehow, it’s always shattering when you come face-to-face with the effects of destruction and see it mirrored in the eyes of those who have been affected. The last time I felt this same air of despondency was going up to Baguio after the July 1990 earthquake and seeing buildings crumpled like an accordion. In Baguio as in Marikina as in Cainta, there’s the overwhelming sense of desperation brought about by the thought of starting over again and recovering immense losses. Most serious since the loss involves money and investments people built over a lifetime.

And for the penniless, there’s the challenge of appeasing immediate needs like hunger and a getting a roof over one’s head. You’d certainly feel powerless by the sheer number of those needing help, while the pessimist in you questions how far three cans of sardines, five packs of noodles and two bottles of mineral water will go.

I was touched by the sight of a scavenger happy to find a soiled teddy bear from among the ruins. It might have been dirty as hell but he was probably thinking of how happy his deprived little daughter would be to receive it.Even the most destructive of floods bring blessings : a time for the poor to be noticed and a time to realize that the wrath of God spares no one.

Let us say a prayer today for the wondrous beauty of another day. There’s such a thing as simply enjoying a warm blanket, especially when you think about how other people make do with a cold, hard pavement.

Orphaned Winnie the Pooh by the Marikina Riverbanks.

Bank documents drying out by the roadside. This was a common sight in commercial areas.
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Stark images of Typhoon Ondoy, the morning after….

The following pictures are reprinted with permission from Ateneo de Manila graduate student Savann Ouerm who snapped these pictures at 6.am. in Marikina City today (September 27) – a day after Storm Ondoy ravaged Metro Manila. Apart from all the videos and pics that have been uploaded on social networking sites, these images truly moved me. Me and my family managed to stay dry throughout this whole event, but I can never imagine the hardship that everyone in flooded areas had to go through, with the waters threatening to go up their roofs, or even those left to struggle on the roads… and the many who went hungry, thirsty, sleepless, and hanging on to dear life.

In the meantime, there’s a massive drive to help families and victims who continue to suffer from the effects of the typhoon. Please show your support by volunteering, getting in touch with your favorite charity ( contact numbers are at the end of this post) or donating to Barrio Siete’s Bayanihan Fund Drive. God bless the Philippines!

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