This writer feels like other kababayans in our country these days- saddened by the fate suffered by most of our kababayans in Eastern Visayas (with Leyte, Samar and part of Capiz provinces worst- hit), sobered by the thought of the magnitude of assistance that they will be needing to rebuild their lives, and deep thoughts of how to make whatever small help they can extend reach these poor victims- tinned food and noodles, old clothes that still could be worn, small cash, mats and other beddings to make sleep more comfortable wherever they may have found refuge.
Typhoon Yolanda (international name- Haiyon) might turn out to become the worst disaster in our nation’s history if initial estimate of disaster- related deaths turn out to be valid ( 10,000 or more deaths is what experts predict judging from the extraordinary strength that the typhoon exhibited as it lashed into Philippine land) – and we have had so many natural disasters wreaking havoc in this nation that they have simply become part of our lives. Sanay na daw ang Pinoy and we have learned to live with these especially for those who are far from cities and needed to rely on their own at least while waiting for help from governments situated far from them.
This national leadership has also seen fit to be more active in disaster management and has strengthened an office- the National Disaster Risk Reduduction and Management Council to manage and oversee all government efforts related to disaster management operations. Its jobs include, among others, the continuous monitoring and public announcement of impending natural disasters and which becomes more intense as these reach the Philippine area of responsibility, coordination among national agencies and offices concerned with the disaster situation, receiving reports from affected areas and acting on their call for assistance and help, all these as they dutifully inform the public of the activities being done related to the situation.
The Pinoy whose hopeful spirit never wavers says he will rise and recover once more. Tunay, napabilib nya a number of foreigners who were at the disaster areas when superbagyoYolanda came- except for the looting episodes in Tacloban City, but that’s another story.
The Pinoy’s natural resilience has become legend- he has the virtues of patience and hope, industry and strength and the belief that there is a God who guides him that will keep him reaching for the better life that he has wished for all his life- these are the virtues that have made him travel in unknown land overseas to earn his living as an overseas Filipino worker, adapt quickly to a new way of life, follow strange regulations issued by the foreign land authorities and dutifully send back home to family and loved ones the fruit of his sacrifices- his earnings or most of his sweldo.
Today, I hope that the will of the Pinoy in getting back on his feet again will translate to the bigger picture where he and all others, all of us, I should say will collectively dream and work for that common goal of rebuilding. There is much to do and there will definitely no place for bickering, finger- pointing to the people who ‘caused’ the escalation of problems, and divisive politics.
The people of the nation of Japan may perhaps serve as inspiration when, after the earthquake and tsunami that hit their country a short while back, quietly but quickly and determinedly moved as one in burying their dead, clearing the debris, and starting a new life out of the ruins.
THANK YOU, TORONTO!
