A Tragic Weekend (Sept. 26,2009)

September 25,Friday afternoon was a great time to check the new condo units of Marquinton at Marikina. We were assisted to see the model type units of the said residence; it was a nice and cozy place I should say. After checking, the agent discussed of course the price of the domicile, but I had second thoughts of purchasing a unit because I know that the area isn’t a flood-free zone. Before we go home to Montalban, we made a way to buy some food at a nearby grocery beside Blue wave. Then off we went home right after the errands purchasing basic necessities. The rain poured when we headed home I guess it was around 5:30 or 6pm. So home we went, it was an evening of wet and wild. The rain never stopped, well I thought it was the usual rainy day season and we missed hearing the news that night. After dinner, I talked to my Lola in her room; she said something like “the most powerful part of our lives is SACRIFICE”. I and my cousins were laughing coz our Lola uttered words in a comical way, we usually mimic. So tired and wasted we were dozed off to bed. Unable to catch even the late night news, but we were aware of the coming storm.

Relaxed and sleepy Saturday morning, the rain poured so hard. Well, I thought it was normal because a storm will pass the area and the residents of the village are not bothered by the situation or should I say “sanay na kasi”. Composed and comfy at bed because it was cold, too lazy to stand up. My mom was making a noise and shouting me to get up, pack my things. So, I peep at the window and saw the water’s rising but it was only at an ankle level so I wasn’t troubled about the situation. What I did was, I lay down the bed again because I was too timid to get up and open my eyes. The condition of the rain was alarming when I heard commotion, so I got up and verified what was going on. I saw the residents looking at the right side of the village and I was in awe when I adage the water got in the subdivision, it was in knee level already. My mom and tita was getting ready to pack things, situate the appliances at a higher level. I felt terrified about the situation. Many things flashed my mind, so many questions popped up - what if we don’t have any place to go to? What if no one would rescue us? Fear was the only feeling inject my body but I don’t want my family be affected by the situation so, I pretended to be calm. So serene I act, but deep inside me I was praying for survival. In a matter of minutes, the knee level water went up to waistline scene. So I assist my mom to walk towards our neighbor’s 3 storey-house, yes, we evacuated. I return home to get the important papers and things I have, the water went up rising to chest level. I fought the dread I’m having, so I walked the path with mudflow level increasing up. At last, reached the neighbor’s house. Quickly went straight up the second floor, checking if everybody was there. Thank God everyone in my family was safe. That point in time, I was so confused and full of panic. I don’t know whom to call aside from God of course. I called Joan first but she didn’t answer the phone. I thought of calling my friend Clarisse, just the same, no answer rendered. Finally, I called Carol, luck came and hope rose on my part when I heard her “hello” it was a relief to perceive sound of her voice. I asked her to seek help in anyway she can because we were stranded and the water is continuously elevating in our vicinity. I even asked her to call Joan at their land phone and wake her up. There she called Joan, and the latter return to call me. I was crying while talking to Joan. I told her to seek out help. She extended her effort to text and search for aid. I had my share of tachycardia that moment, palpitations tripled. It never occurred my mind to experience such incident at my lola’s place it was the first time. My friends try to find help. But, no one bothered rescuing us. We stayed up at our neighbor’s house until Monday afternoon because the house must be clean before returning home. The mudflow emits a foul odor plus the fact it causes skin irritation for some people.

Returning home wasn’t as easy as I think it was. It rendered paranoia on every people to stay up late and check if it would rain, and might cause flood again. Disturbance was part of our system that time in coordination with trauma; it was a very abnormal feeling pumping my circulatory and nervous system.

To make it short, Typhoon Ondoy not only damage but caused distress to people who were affected of its might. It does not only take away the properties and wealth of the people but also the memories of the place they’re living…… were washed away….. Forever. It left a scar.

God only sent a message to each and every one of us. Let us not be a worldly being. We forget to pray, most of the people are worshiping money, thinks of the expensive things they wanted to get hold of, that would make them rich and proud. Don’t be materialistic! Nature’s reprisal can take it all away in a snap …. Plus, we harm our nature, there are those who cut trees and quarry mountains to make it a commercial area. They don’t even think of the consequences it will bring us. Mother Nature is just making her revenge, only divulging a message to stop the injuries we’re creating to our environment. I hope this will be a lesson to us. Pray not only because we need help, but thank God that we survived and still living in His will.

For 32 years of my life, I must say, I’ve been through a lot, but still standing strong. I experienced Mount Pinatubo eruption in the 90’s. Our house submerged by the volcanic debris emitted by the aforementioned volcano, it took us a month or so to overcome the catastrophe. I’m just saying, no tragedy will hinder us from prevailing over. Just pray and have Faith in Him. No matter what the mishap we are having, God will not send a situation that we can’t control of. He is just testing our faith. I think we have to make a modification. That alteration must start within us, as Michael Jackson’s song pronounces….” I’m gonna make a change for once in my life….its gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference, gonna make it right………. I’m starting with the Man in the mirror…I’m asking if he change his ways….and no message could have been any clearer, if you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself and MAKE A CHANGE…..”

Typhoon Ondoy made a clear message that we have to increase devotion. We may lack precious stuffs but for me, the vital part of our lives is Faith. God is our Savior, be not afraid to undergo disaster, we have certain calling. It’s knowing God more deeply and discovering how He works in us.

I just want to thank the Velasco family for the accommodation in their house. I even told my mom that I remembered the story about Noah’s Ark. It was the same as the house we stayed in for several days; it was built and just finished just a week before Ondoy’s arrival. It was a blessing in disguise I must say. The 3 storey house served as an ark for me and the rest that were saved during typhoon Ondoy’s influx. I reflect and assume what happened last Saturday was fate from God. We could all have died because everybody wasn’t ready of the calamity’s outcome. It was a surprise and never could we imagine the end product it brought us. Not all were saved nor all died. It was bound to happen. I remembered, when I was young, I watched a documentary, a prediction to be exact. It was from Nostradamus, his prophecies includes the calamities of the future and it retained information in my thoughts which up to now I reminisce once in a while though his forecast were accurate and came true. If only I still have the copy of the tape I may tell and share his conjectures to everyone. It was a warning for me after learning his predictions and became a guide on events happening be it a calamity or victory. It was a pattern of events he saw the future and is now happening. He even mentioned the end of the world what year to be exact.

I don’t want to elaborate and transport Goosebumps to everybody. I just want to impart that in all aspects, don’t forget to pray not just to request help but also be appreciative to God. Thank Him everyday! He is our creator and savior! Trust Him with all your heart.