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.