The Devastation that was Yolanda

I know that this is not my story to tell, but please let me say my piece anyway.

My family lives in Cebu, and I feel that everything that happened to Visayas was a hazy dream, er, nightmare. A 7.2 earthquake. Then a 315-kph super typhoon. I may not have been physically affected, but believe me, I feel traumatized. I shout every time I feel an aftershock (we still have those until now). I still cry when I see the images of Haiyan's aftermath.

But then again, this isn’t about me. It’s about the thousands of people whose lives were washed away by the storm surge. It’s about the tens of thousands who were left homeless and jobless. It’s about the hundreds of thousands whose properties vanished in just a few hours. 

Day 5. Tacloban City Convention Center. This was where the evacuees were housed.

Unfortunately, many perished here because the structure was adjacent to the bay.         Photo by IGCacnio

Day 4. Ormoc bus station. No buses to give exodus to the people.                      Photo by IGCacnio

Day 4. Ormoc. Even the Jollibee mascot doesn't want us to look in the eye.                        Photo by IGCacnio

Day 5. Tacloban. Heritage houses ruined.                                      Photo by IGCacnio

Day 5. Tacloban. Where would the children go?                             Photo by IGCacnio

But what I am really, deeply saddened is how millions of Filipinos are now divided as a nation. Yolanda has not only physically swept lives and homes and possessions; it has emotionally eroded our hearts and mentally cut through our psyche as well. We, Filipinos, have never been alienated to one another as much as like this.

Yes, what our fellow Filipinos experienced was unimaginable, unthinkable. A big part of our country was devastated, bulldozed by the wrath of high waves and strong winds and unrelenting rains of Yolanda. But what hurts me the most is the devastation that is still raking the hearts and minds of Filipinos. So much negativity. So much bad words hurled around. 

Day 5. Tacloban. Even funeral parlors are up to their necks.                           Photo by IGCacnio

Of course we need to criticize--I am not at all against this. But let us do this with the pure intention of helping to make relief efforts reach the victims faster, to give directions to those isolated places that seemed to have been neglected, to encourage those more fortunate Filipinos to help. More importantly, let’s criticize to inspire, to strengthen, to give hope.

Day 5. Tacloban. People scraping for gasoline in places where gas stations are left unsecured.      Photo by IGCacnio

I understand that we are frustrated; hell, we are furious. A week has already passed, and the victims are still left wanting. But what have some of us done on social media so far? We call for a People Power to oust the President. We name the holder of the highest office of the land as BS Aquino. We try to pit the INC against the Catholics. We make fun of  “It’s more fun in the Philippines” tag. We lambast our local media and call them stupid. We search for videos and comments of people who laugh at our misfortune. Tell me, please, if these have pushed our cause forward. If these comments have expedited relief efforts. If these judgments have buried the victims' loved ones. Instead of recovering from the rubbles, we dig ourselves more in self-pity and pessimism.  

Day 4. Palo, near Tacloban. The INC structure stands amid the debris nearby.            Photo by IGCacnio      

Day 4. A Town going to Tacloban. Child's play.                                                   Photo by IGCacnio

Day 4. Ormoc. Small roads are still impassable.                              Photo by IGCacnio

Day 5. Tacloban. Body bags are still on the sidewalk waiting to be identified, blessed, and buried.  Photo by IGCacnio

Day5. Tacloban. A stark contrast to behold indeed.                          Photo by IGCacnio

Day5 Ormoc. Piles of debris as far as the eye can see.                                Photo by IGCacnio

No amount of foul FB posts and livid tweets will help the Philippines stand up again. Let’s channel this anger that we feel into positive actions. Volunteer. Donate. Stay vigilant. Be informed. Most of us have done and are doing their share in their own quiet ways. But there are still a lot more Bayanihan spirit needed to give us back our dignity and to put us back on the map again.

As of Day 4 and 5, people are starting to pick up the pieces.

Day 4. Ormoc. People in a long line to buy food.                             Photo by IGCacnio

Day 4. Ormoc. Locals queue to buy gasoline.                                  Photo by IGCacnio

Day 5. Tacloban. Drying whatever was left of their clothes.                     Photo by IGCacnio

Day 5. Tacloban. The people are back on their feet.                        Photo by IGCacnio

Let’s ALL unite to make our country a beautiful place to live in again. I love the Philippines!

Day 5. Leaving Tacloban. Yes, we shall return!                                      Photo by IGCacnio

Note: The pictures shown here were those taken by the Hubby when he visited Ormoc (Day 4) and Tacloban (Day 5) on an official mission from his company. Just showing the facts as seen by an ordinary citizen.