Swimming in the Floodwater

(photo courtesy of Reuters)

This is just one of the many alarming scenes in the Metro as Typhoon Ondoy devastated the city from Friday night to Saturday.

This is the worst recorded incidence of a typhoon in Metro Manila since PAG-ASA started monitoring the weather.

It serves as a wake-up call for us on different levels. First, this is an indication of how much we've abused Mother Nature so much, and we're clearly paying the price for our wrongdoing. Inasmuch as we consume so much products, we should learn how to properly dispose them. We should also be concerned about the worsening climate change in the world. Second, that our government is not so prepared when it comes to emergency response. GMA has used the money for emergency on her foreign trips. Oh  thanks a lot! So much for PARENS PATRIAE! Now, we should be looking at how next year's presidential hopefuls are handling the crisis at hand. Noynoy and Mar's group are already active in packing relief goods and gathering donations and support. I hope to be there tomorrow. Gibo is (at least) doing his job as NDCC chief. The rest? Hmmm. Is Manny Villar doing something? Maybe he is, although others are not really RT-ing anything from his camp so I would not know.This is beginning to be an indicator of their concern for the country, so let us be vigilant with their actions.  I am also concerned about CHED and HEI's response. I think they wait too long too often when it comes to suspending classes. Not that college and grad studies students are indolent, but please, next time have enough foresight. When you know it's gonna rain too hard and will cause floods, at least suspend classes at 6:00AM so that we won't have to go travel and get stuck in a place for several hours! Third, on a personal level, it reminds us how precious our lives are and how we should live it to the fullest and love without conditions.

This typhoon reminded me of horrid experiences. When I worked in Makati last year, I experienced walking in the flood twice and I kind of broke down the second time. Yesterday, I had to walk the floodwaters that were almost waist deep.  Banawe, with the repairs and whatnots was terribly flooded. Oh the poor businesses. Retiro was even worse. I had to descend the taxi and walk the flood.  Wow. It was quite an ordeal and what bothered me was seeing garbage everywhere. My God. I had to take a bath for a very long time when I got home. I'm not feeling well at the moment but I'm glad to be safe. My tita was stuck in Mapua, and she just got home this morning. It has never been so good to be home.

If anything, we Filipinos should stick together. As Julius Babao tweeted, In this hour of darkness let us show the world that this is our shining moment as Filipinos.

Oh and before I close this entry, here are some of the numbers/info I've collated on twitter:

MRT, LRT open for 24 hours for today, for P10 per ticket. http://bit.ly/hy8dd

For people who need assistance: National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Emergency Numbers: 912-5668, 911-1406, 912-2665, 911-5061

NCRPO 8383203 / 8383354 for rubber boat requests

ONDOY HOTLINE 7342118 or 7342120

Sagip Kapamilya 4132667 and 4160387
 

Noy-Mar Volunteers: Balay Expo Center, EDSA cor. Gen McArthur, Araneta Center. Pls. bring relief goods here join us in packing operations!

Donations for Gawad Kalinga may be brought to the Cervini Hall of the Ateneo de Manila University or at the GK Office at  Profriends Bldg., #55 Gen Tinio St. Brgy Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

 LSGH has a donation collection center. They need more food / meds and boxes to transport goods. If in the area please go there.

Pls call Tulong Bayan hotlines: 0908-6579998, 0939-3633436, 9137122, 9136254, 9133306 and help with relief for flood victims

We're now opening second room to accom donations at Victory Fort. Pls donate food, H2O, clothes, milk, medicines, and other items!

So to everyone: take care and stay safe :)