#bangonleyte

[edikdolotina]

Been raining the whole day today. Hope you are safe wherever you are. #BangonLeyte (at Brgy. Tongonan, Ormoc City)

[mikecristobal-blog-blog]

After three months, still the same. Wish things get to normal. #TindogTacloban #BangonLeyte #ReelTime (at Tacloban City)

[kiroiskim]

You never know when

Hello there! It's been a week already since I urged myself to share what has been up to over the past few days. As reserved, I certainly have to write these unending thoughts about everything that's been going on.

Over a month ago, Typhoon Haiyan or Bagyong Yolanda over here, believed to be the strongest typhoon ever recorded in history, in it's mighty power claimed over thousand lives, washed out homes, destroyed livelihood, turned good citizens into looters in search of food and living, showed something to the world how it is to be like when everything goes back to what it has been - nothing. By that I mean, only yourself. No worldly possessions. 

Living in a tropical country, I am used to at Typhoons. Every now and then, we experience such but luckily, in my hometown, I never had experienced floods and landslides. Up North and down South in the Philippines, as it usually headlines over the news, I see floods and devastations and I'm used to it growing up. I remember back in my school days, there will always be "Bundle of Joy's" during Christmas season for victims for the typhoon this and that. 

Life, as we know it, is full of surprises. At one point, it will give you the best you deserve and in some, it slaps you hard in the face.

I was given the chance to visit Leyte province for work purposes. Knowing that I could possibly go there after a week over the typhoon, I was not at ease with the idea. The news flashes dead bodies all over the city - I don't know it smell like before, the bad guys attacking just everywhere in search for food, the extremity of the condition - no food, no water, no shelter, communication lines are dead, no electricity. 

Moving on... I went there last week, it's the third week right after Yolanda. This time around, I am in high spirits. I was excited. At least, I can visually experience what it's like there. 

First day. I went to Ormoc City. Two and a half hours fast craft ride from Cebu. As we are approaching the city of Ormoc, I am starting to see the scenery I wish never happened. From afar, I saw how the mangroves turned into skeletons. It's like winter when trees have nothing left but their branches. Houses barely had roofs. As soon as we arrived, there, I saw people look weak and still needy. The bus terminal lost its roofs. The damages were still visible. Soon after we drop our things, as tasked, we went to our destinations. By the way, our goal is to check signal coverage in all relief hubs and command centers. I need not to mention in specific but there is this one center which the relief goods I believe are starting to rot or may have already gone rot. Flies are everywhere. Survivor volunteers' do transfer the goods from one place to another. I don't exactly know how the relief operations are processed there but based on my observations they need to fire up! The goods should be delivered as soon as possible! Charging stations are everywhere, and you pay around 20 Php for an hour of charging. There is still no electricity in Ormoc but everyone around is starting to get back to normal. There is supply of food too!  Done with our task in Ormoc, I had to take something beautiful there.

Look. As the sun sets near Ormoc City Superdome. 

Second day. Around 7 in the morning, we headed to Tacloban. Along the way, the scenes worsen. Random signs with words about needing help and fighting spirit to rebuild their place is written on pieces of cardboard or even painted on cements facing the sky. I saw where the coconut's leaves faced where the wind blew - it looks so arranged, some even had gone and facing down. On a lighter note, the leaves on some trees are starting to sprout. Nature is starting to heal itself. People are starting to rebuild their homes. Relief operations where flocked by survivors.  The moment I arrived in Tacloban, my jaw dropped. I felt crushed. Hopeless. I just can't imagine how it was like if I was there during the typhoon. I cannot ponder. It was just too much damage and rebuilding the city would take long. We went directly to this medical center to start with our task. I saw Japanese volunteers who are negotiating with the local hospital staffs in transferring patients in their medical hubs. Questions on ambulance, if they have oxygen tanks and others are common. I saw a little boy, grasping for breath on his oxygen tank, denied to be with the Japanese. Based on what I heard, the Physician won't allow to bring the oxygen tank out of their medical establishment. Too many conversations, negotiations, blah blah. The boy is in need of direct medical attention!  Then we went to Tacloban City Hall, I saw international hubs. Medical, media, relief operations. I felt better. With the help that's pouring in from various sectors, it eases the situation.  We went to this evacuation center and there I saw more help. Tents are given. Medical assistance is present. Then I saw volunteers or workers of our government agency, writing down names of the evacuees talking about random things about the family they handle. I feel them. I salute them. 

If you want to eat good food, pay at least 200 Php! That's how much the ordinary 50 Php meal price hiked! 

Cadavers are not anymore over the place but I tell you, the smell is still there. 

Survivor 101. The night that was! I never will never ever forget. For one night, the mosquitoes feast on any part where my skin is exposed. I look like a mummy, covered everything just to get rid of those hungry mosquitoes! I couldn't remember I slept! Good thing, we were adopted for a night and had a place to stay safe regardless of the mosquito bites. 

Third Day. We roam around the city. There are still people searching for something out of the debris. Just something they can still use I guess. There are already supplies sold on the streets. Life is moving forward. What made me appreciate more is the "Cash for Work" by this private organization who pays the survivors for a clean up drive. They have trucks to help clean out the areas with a lot of debris. When we got back to this one area on day two where debris are hill-like, it was all gone! The clean up drive is effective. 

Right after we're done with our task in Tacloban City we headed back to Ormoc City. At long last! We're done.  I am more than thankful for the opportunity that this job has given me for I was able to appreciate more about life. The life I will LIVE in the next days, months, years!

It made me realize that the core of my existence is not about how much I have but on how much I share my time wisely with the people around me.

To lend a helping hand to those who are in need because they really do need. To appreciate the little things I have because not everyone is blessed enough to have such. Rich or poor, when your time is up, you can't escape. You can't bring what you have but only your soul. Everything physical will be gone. But memories and the life you lived will stay forever and will be remembered. That life not well lived is a life equal to death. Life is short. Make most out of it. Make no room for regrets.

Everything that had happened has its lesson to give. To reflect, to meditate and most of all to strengthen our FAITH in HIM. He knows what's best for us. Our brothers and sisters who are gone by now in the physical are not meant for long to stay here but somewhere there in his paradise. Where all you feel is light and everything is perfect. To them, I wish eternal rest.

To my countrymen, I know life has been tough for us this year. But this for sure will not bring us down. We will bounce back. I believe in the Filipino spirit more powerful than Yolanda. For everything that had happened will be part of history. Let's continue to LIVE regardless of what we have. Enjoy life while we can. Smile. November 27-30, 2013 Ormoc City & Tacloban City  Live Life

[marlboro-iceblast]

For 16 days there was no electricity in Maasin due to the recent typhoon (Yolanda/Haiyan) Hope this is the start of something new. Thank God all Maasinhons are safe!