Ondoy literally means “Little Boy“

We lost all forms of communication last Saturday night amidst all the commotion happening in the Philippines and most especially the Metro. I was literally left nothing to do. I couldn’t go out because of the flooding. I couldn’t do anything. I hate being a spectator but that was just I am during these troubling times. No Pringles entry for now because of the disaster. I guess we never actually grasped what the provinces of Bicol experience during these really big floods. We’ve been so disconnected with the rest of the Philippines. But good ole’ mother nature brought the cause right at our doorstep. I was amazed that at this day and age, so much flooding can happen in Metro Manila. Houses sinking, cars being left at the mercy of flood waters, we were unprepared. We were caught off-guard. We never expected this. I have no idea what the Government is doing. Presidential  Gibo Teodoro for sure is not getting my vote this coming May 2010 elections. We’ve heard so little from him. The areas I heard most in the news are Marikina and Pasig. Mayor Marites Fernando and Presidential Candidate Bayani Fernando, what are you doing? (Live up to your name-sake! They need one right now.) I realize that I’m being hard on these guys but hell, this is their shining moment, or rather their defining moment. Actually we all need to step up.

Flood in Manila

Apathy is one nasty word. One that we are mostly guilty off. Although there is something inertly asking us to urge and move, for fear of retribution or rather for fear of the unknown we stay in place and do nothing, or even worse, turn a blind eye and leave. The tropical typhoon may have passed, but we are not out of the woods yet. The worse is yet to come. Remember the people who will step up. Remember the kind of leaders we elect. We need better people. We deserve better people.

Waist Deep Water

Pasig. Ortigas Extension (REUTERS/Erik de Castro (PHILIPPINES ENVIRONMENT DISASTER) Pic. Reuters)

All photos taken from the internet and various sources (Erik De Castro for the Pictures)

Let’s put it in the simplest way possible, we weren’t prepared. Too comfortable in our little Metropolitan safehouse that we didn’t think anything of it. The typhoon lived up to its named (Ondoy) which means “little boy”. It wasn’t even a super typhoon and yet so much destruction, so many lives disrupted, we can’t help but blame ourselves.
Who are we to blame?

There has been a link circulating around the web that GMA (yes our president) basically squandered the emergency fund amounting to Php 800 Million. (In a nutshell, she went over budget with her trips so thinking we won’t miss it, or won’t be using it anytime soon used the emergency fund.) But should we really blame her? After all, we ELECTED her in 2004. People have been praying for mercy. As the old addage goes, “Nasa Diyos ang Awa nasa tao ang gawa” (God has the mercy but it’s still up to man to do something) . We will get our chance.

Another typhoon is said to be heading our in 3 days. Are we going to be ready this time?

On lighter side, it is awesome to see Filipinos actually doing something for fellow Filipinos. The uncountable facebook messages relaying emergency numbers. People willing to skip work to help out. Strangers opening up their houses sto those stranded by the flood. The quick mobilization of local rescue groups as well as influential institutions helping out quickly and mobilizing man-power to help alleviate the situation. There is a strong sense of volunteerism now coursing through the veins of most Filipinos. (Probably the Cory magic still?) Go out there and do your part. Send clothes, blankets, ready-to-eat food, or even just help out in packing the already donated goods. Now is the time to relish what it is to be part of the lucky few. To really know that meaning of MAGIS as well as Cura-personalis. It took a small boy to bring Manila to its knees, yes. But it was that same boy that united the Filipinos today. As a facebook blogger said, Daghang Salamat Ondoy. (Thank you Ondoy) I remember driving home and seeing a quote on the back of a jeep which really hit me. None of the “basta driver sweet lover”, or “sexy libre sakay” (driver’s are sweet lovers, sexy girls ride for free). The quote read:

“From our ashes will rise the monument of our success. “

Indeed. Our time is now.

Cars after the waters subside

Just a quick post. I just had to say it. After work, Alvin passed by for me and invited me to have dinner at Mister Kebab at West Avenue. We left BHS (Bonifacio High Street, The Fort) at 7:45 PM. After 2 1/2 hours of driving, (I offered to drive since it was his car) we arrive at a little past 10 PM at Mister Kebab. To make matters worse, it was a long LONG waiting list. It took us 30 mins before we could actually sit down and order. All that for a 20 minute meal.

We got to talk a lot about the business though. So it was kind of worth it.

Just wanted to share the drive home.

*all photos in this post are not mine. They were taken from the interweb. I used them for illustrative purposes only. I mean who wants to read a blog with no pictures?!