16 Years After Ondoy

Expecting heavy rainfall across the country today due to typhoon Opong. It's also the 16th anniversary of typhoon Ondoy.

I still shiver whenever I remember that day I almost drowned in our basement. I was rescued by people who were helping my Mom clear our stuff. I lost everything and only saved my PC.

Typhoon Ondoy happened just 3 months before Sweetie and I got married. We thought about postponing it, but both our parents pushed us to proceed. We did and made it a point not to live in flood-prone areas. 

The past two years, my childhood home was surprisingly spared from flooding. Things improved thanks to our barangay who worked on the drainages and declogging waterways. Two weeks ago though, the creek overflowed again and water rushed in to our basement.

It's worrisome and I saw reports that parts of the main road to our place has been flooding too. I also saw a signage announcing pipe laying by Maynilad. I know it's supposed to maybe help, but they could've worked on it during the dry months! Sigh.

Stay dry and be safe everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

15 Years After Typhoon Ondoy

It's been 15 years since typhoon Ondoy. It also means that it will soon be our 15th wedding anniversary. Moving on from a disaster is hard. Sweetie and I thought about delaying our wedding, but both our parents insisted to go on with the wedding. Our relatives had also booked their flights already and a week after our wedding was my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. It was also set to be celebrated. 

Both our homes were severely affected. A few days after I had to fly to Iloilo for an event. It was a good respite since we learned from the Ilonggo people how they moved on from disaster. They also had severe flooding before typhoon Ondoy happened. It was also warm and sunny when we went, so it served as a reminder that things will go back to normal eventually. 

With my friend Mabel. Her baby is all grown up now :)

Since typhoon Ondoy (and Pepeng), we made sure we would take precautions so we don't experience it again. We made sure to avoid living in flood prone areas. We learned recently that it's not really fool-proof. Even areas that don't flood may get flooded too. It really depends on the rainfall and the tide. So, we've been taking a lot of precautions. 

The best way to move on from a disaster is to learn from it. Always expect the unexpected and live your life the best way you can. I always think about the things I lost. The only thing I really regret is losing irreplaceable valuable photos. I'm just grateful I had some that were saved. 

Always stay dry and be safe. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Rebuild

It's been 36 hours since I saw my 12-year old TV plunge into the murky flood water. It's a very old TV, but I saved up for that from my first job. Everything in my basement I worked hard for and as much as possible I only replace things when they cannot be repaired anymore.

I couldn't sleep last night. I would doze off but I kept waking up. I guess I was scared that the flood might come rushing back. Morning came and I was awakened by birds chirping outside my window. It was a new day. I headed to the basement with my flashlight to survey the damage. Everything was wet. There was mud all over the place and all the cabinets were overturned.

The flood I experienced last July 16 was nothing compared to what happened yesterday. This was the worst we've experienced. The firewall between us and our neighbor gave way. Things were just really unbelievable. And I'm sure we are still very lucky. And I'm still very lucky I have a roof over my head.

At the basement I just got scoured the floor for what little jewelry I have, retrieved some important documents, looked for a pair of sandals I can wear for my lecture on Tuesday, found my new eyeglasses (buo pa siya!), got some pens (hope they are still working), and was happy to find my headband collection intact. Washed everything in the bathroom and put them in a small basket. And that's what I salvaged. Maybe tomorrow I'll take a picture of all the books that got wet and have them on my Christmas wish-list. (89 days before Christmas!) :)

I also just wanted to thank everyone who checked on me today. Survivor po ito, so don't worry much. The show must go on!

And, yes Dr. Match, I will drink vitamin C :)

God bless everyone!

Calm After the Storm

Earlier today I felt despair. It was the first time I felt that way. When I saw the shelf that held my TV and DVD player tumble down into the water I cried out, “Tulong! Tulong!” but no help came. I tried one last time to find my phones on my bed, but couldn't find it. I wanted to get my other laptop and document bag in the cabinet, but cabinets started to float around. When I saw my glass sink in the water I knew it was time to just let go.

I couldn't grasp the situation. I couldn't figure out how to deal with the calamity. I've experienced several floods already, but it was never this bad. I think the only thing that's dry in my basement are the ceiling lights. I had to borrow clothes from my niece because all my stuff were wet.

When I started to cry in the kitchen my Dad told me, “Why are you crying? Yan lang iiyak-iyak ka na. Umakyat ka na sa itaas at humiga ka na lang muna.” I had to stop crying because it's bad for my heart. I lay on my parents bed and worried myself sick over all the stuff that I lost and realized that I shouldn't feel that way because there are others who are in a worse situation. The rain was still pouring hard so I just prayed that the rain would stop.

Eventually the water subsided and I went back down. I wanted to see if my bag of documents and pink laptop survived. They were both wet. I also scrambled around to look for my engagement ring. I left it on my dresser when I took it off yesterday. I found the dresser still upright near half-way across the room. Most of the things on it were gone save for the rosary bracelet, watch and engagement ring. The ring was protected by the rosary bracelet.

Everything is gone. My TV, DVD player, CD collection, all my books, photo albums, all my wedding materials, shoes, clothes, bags etc., but the most heartbreaking is losing all the love letters and mementos I kept all these years.

They're gone and I guess I just have to let go. Save whatever I can save when morning comes and move forward and think about how I can help others who have gone through the same calamity.

Remember, God is good.

I Lost Everything

I Lost Everything

This is the most traumatic day in my entire life. I lost everything to nature's anger. Flood swallowed up my whole basement. The only thing I managed to save with help from Miguel is Theodore (my PC), Daisy (my netbook), my newly repaired Canon G9 and my black shoulder bag which just has my wallet. My phones are gone. Documents, pictures, books, clothing etc. everything's gone. The shirt I'm wearing now is my Kuya's and my niece lent a pair of shorts. I don't even have my eyeglasses to see properly (and it was just 3 days old!).

We managed to put everything a “level higher” (as Miguel termed it), but the typhoon was just really strong. The flood started at the bathroom and slowly engulfed the basement. I was looking for my phones on my bed while submerged in more than waist high water when water suddenly came in from the window and knocked down the shelf which housed my TV and DVD player. I knew then I had to go and just let go of everything. The two manongs who were helping us out helped me out of the water. I did not know that the water was already grounded and I probably just got out at the right time.

Because I was all wet I just sat at the kitchen. Defeated. I cried. I cried but there were no tears. Miguel just hugged me and my Dad told me not to cry over it. All those things I lost, are just things. Replaceable. Something I can work hard for again. I guess I'm just sad.

I know that God doesn't give us trials that we can't handle. I just don't know how I'm going to face the disaster at my basement when the water goes down.

Please pray for me.