the whip of Ondoy

The sun is shining again. But it’s not shining on the same ground anymore. Coz this ground is a mess, in ruins from the damage wrought by the worst typhoon to hit Philippines in 40 years, typhoon “Ondoy”.

All the images, footages, stories circulating around the media and social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, Tumblr are really heartbreaking. All the properties we worked hard for, swept away by the ignorant flood water. But more than the properties, it’s really the lives lost that pierce my heart so much. In the news they reported 7 kids (related as cousins) died together because of the flood. Their bodies were soaked in mud. It made me cry, thinking about their future that can never be fulfilled now, because they were gone too soon. And there are still more.

I felt like a part of me was swept away too when I saw these:

more here. Wah, USTe.

Backtrack:

I was on my way to the office that Saturday (September 26) when early in the morning the rain fell so ragingly. I didn’t make it pass the underpass going to Intramuros because the corner of N. Almeda Lopez was already flooded. I rode a pedicab and tried with all my mighty charm to haggle the fee. Kuya Pedicab was charging me with P40. Too bad I didn’t remember then that when Mu and I went to Seamen’s Hospital (which is just a few steps away from Manila Bulletin) we got a good deal in paying only P40 for the two of us - from Central Terminal station! Nevertheless, in the end he gave in and we met halfway - P35.

In the evening Mu picked me up from the office. Her lower extremities were wet. She told me the area near SM Manila was a like a sea with all these violent waves. The flood was waist-deep. Good thing she brought some clothes. They were meant for me but I told her she needed to change more than I do. So she did. I’m almost in tears listening to what she had gone through, I didn’t want her to get hurt or anything, but I’m just really thankful that she fetched me and we went through it together. Thank you Mu.

We rode the pedicab that Mu rode going to the office. She made a deal with young Kuya Pedicab that he would take us to Carriedo station since traversing to Central Station would be like swimming. He pedaled and pedaled inside Intramuros and there was nothing but darkness and sound of moving water. For that moment I felt as if the world stood still and time held its breath, save for us who were struggling towards our destination. I’ve never seen Manila as quiet, as haunting and as desolate as I did that Saturday evening. I think I only saw a single jeepney, and then some ten people walking along the bridge. 

Mu and I are really grateful for young Kuya Pedicab. He was really nice and did his best - even to the point of lifting his tricycle from one side of the road to next in order to take us to Carriedo. I felt really blessed meeting a person such as him coz it’s rare to find such genuine people who truly care. Along with our payment I also gave him Skyflakes (yes I still do bring snacks at work, you know my metabolism LOL). I hope that helped ease his hunger and exhaustion.

Thank God the flood subsided in Monumento, and thank God that the flood inside our house subsided too (not outside, though. It was only the next morning when it did). Some of our things got wet, and some of them are still in the drying stage. Thank God too, because my friends and acquaintances are safe with their families. 

Came Sunday I took a pedicab from Carriedo to Intramuros because Central Station is still flooded. I even saw a taxi nearing submergence and a bus half-submerged in water. When I went home in the afternoon I had to stand on the seat of the pedicab I rode that will merely take me on the other side (Ate Pedicab removed the cover of her pedicab so I was able stand erect - except I think I was still Kampanerang Kuba LOL). I was like in a motorcade/parade of a festival of flood. 

I decided to ride a jeepney so I could check out the condition of other parts of Manila. Recto was like a sea, too. And kids enjoyed themselves as if it was a resort swimming pool. They didn’t care even though they had wounds on their knees.

Other parts of Metro Manila and beyond are still flooded. There are still thousands of evacuees. But we are Filipinos and Filipinos are resilient. I believe that as long as we’ll help each other in any way we can, big or small, it will make a difference as we rise from this fall. Let’s help each other.

Check out these valuable links to know how you can do your share:

Bianca Gonzales’ Blog (she compiled everything! Super indeed!)

Philippine Red Cross: Ways to Donate

Ondoy on Facebuko: Drop Off Points Map

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE WHATEVER YOU CAN DO! EVEN A LITTLE HELP WILL GO A LONG, LONG WAY! *rock* New days are ahead and we can rebuild what was destroyed.

7 things

No, it’s not “your eyes, your smiles, your old Levi’s”, and “when we kissed I’m hypnotized”.  LOL.These are the 7 things evolving inside my head like celestial bodies. And don’t worry (oh well if you are), Miley Cyrus is not one of them. Haha.

1. For the past few blog entries I seemed to skip, unintentionally though, writing about the matters of the heart. But I realized that it would be more “valuable” if I spew it out into the virtual world. I know I can just be anybody out here who rides the “needless self-promotion” bandwagon, but it would be nice to put that ride to good use. Here I go:

When we’re at the peak of our feelings, we always think that forever is forever, and that healing seems far-fetched. I myself went through that phase and that phase is not all sugar. But for this matter, time is my friend, because time gently and gradually hushed the angry waves  of my heart. “Now” is all that we really have, because tomorrow it will never be the same. We won’t always feel the way we do. Realizing this has both become boon and bane for me. Boon because, of course, there is nowhere else to go but forward. Nothing else to do if you did what you got to. Just as what I have tweeted:

And it’s hard to go on when you don’t want to, right?  The most difficult enemy is the self, and the free will that resists. On the other hand, my “artistic” side finds it bane because there are songs which I have yet to write, songs which I feel indebted to write and which I believe will help me free everything. But it’s difficult when you’re not in the same state as when the idea stroke. Creatively you’re there, but emotionally you’re detached. I’m still trying to reconcile both areas. I have to! Sayang naman kasi yung ideas. Hehe.

2. I’ve had some “chance encounters” [insert *evil grin* here] in the past few weeks, and they’ve been renting quite a space in my mind for some time now. Cheesy as it sounds, it makes me wonder what if I got to know more of these people, more than a brief exchange of looks and smiles, or a few hours of non-stop conversation, and not merely be passers-by? Maybe that curiousity, that mystery, is what keeps me into thoughts of it. 

3. On one of our breakfast talks, my Pupi told me (well this is the paraphrased version LOL): “You don’t have to make us proud. Ang importante yung mag-enjoy ka at maging happy ka”. I held a lump in my throat for a long while. These simple words are what I will hold on to.

4.  “Playful banter about pranks or petty crimes committed in school or at work,including youthful escapades, may accidentally be read by the staff of the company you have applied for a job. It is prudent to bear in mind that once a message or photo is uploaded in the Internet, that material can be read, not only by its intended receiver, but by anyone who has access to a computer.”

-  Raul J. Palabrica, “Social Networking Risks”

My eyes grew wide while reading this article. It reminded me of a playful/naughty remark I told my friends on one of our virtual hangout places not long ago, but in no ill intention whatsoever to whom I “attributed” it.  Wahwahwah. Oh please don’t sue me. I have come in peace. *beautiful eyes*

5.  I really really really wish (to the nth power) to the heavens above that in the very near future I’d be able to attend a Songwriting workshop somewhere. I’m more than willing to work my butt off to earn money for it. Oh please, Bro.

6.  These little moments, simple moments I get to spend time with Mu and Pu are just so precious to me. I cherish everything, all the laughter, the jokes, the pranks, the intellectual debates, the heart-to-heart talks, that day when we watched Up. I cherish that day, Pupi’s birthday, when he sang me a song called “Just You” (”with a big brown eyes she came my wayyyyyy…”) and just a while ago when our karaoke-ing (here goes my penchant for inventing words) neighbors sang Michael Buble’s “Sway”, we danced even though we both have left feet. Haha. These sweet moments really mean a lot to me.

7.  A new beginning is coming. I can sniff its aroma like fresh grass and fully-grown flowers in the field. So help me Bro.