ONDOY’S TRAIL OF FURY
filed in DISASTER, LIFE on Oct.14, 2009
The video above is a collection of images gathered from the ravage of the Typhoon Ondoy and now, many are still ravage by it and yet another storm hit the Pangasinan Area and its nearby Municipalities. I must admit during the rain that I was little bothered that we had no electricity, water, mobile networks, and internet for days but after seeing this, who am I to complain when others suffered much worst than what I experienced.
I saw a shirt from the internet that says “From where Everyone is a hero.” From the people who donate, volunteer, and help in anyway for the relief of all those people who are affected by Ondoy. There is this guy who caught my attention. His name is Muelmar Magallanes, an 18 year old construction worker and save more than 30 persons during the typhoon Ondoy but end up losing his own life after saving the baby of Menchie Penalosa. Neighbours found his body on Sunday, along with almost 400 who perished amid Manila’s epic flooding.
“I am going to be forever grateful to Muelmar. He gave his life for my baby. I will never forget his sacrifice,” said Menchie Penalosa, the mother of the six-month-old girl whom he carried to safety before being swept away himself.
A colleague told me a story that a friend of his made a pound per pound statistic between Muelmar and Richard Guiterrez comparing the two. Yes, yes, just like in boxing. Muelmar over 30 persons saved, Richard 1 person which is Kristine Reyes. Muelmar only swimming, Richard is with a speed boat. Hahahaha.. just sharing, we do not know want happen down there when Richard save Kristine. They could have been in a very shitty situation, they are tired, or just he have something to brag, etc etc.. we do not know. In my mind, Richard could have save a lot with that speed boat.
GIN PATAY NI ONDOY A victim was pulled from the riverbanks near Manila Monday. At least 140 people were killed and 32 went missing after Typhoon Ondoy (also known as tropical storm Ketsana) dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in 12 hours in the Philippines. It’s the worst flooding to hit the country in more than 40 years. (Photo: Aaron Favila / AP via the Wall St. Journal)
It saddens me to see, pictures of dead people especially those who died unexpected. You did not have time to do some important thing or say something to persons especially your love ones and friends. Especially the persons who died in Ondoy, in an instant your sleeping or doing something then suddenly your swimming in water and mud and at the back of your mind, this is it, hows my love ones, have a take care of that and these, etc.
I heard over the radio, I forgot what station it was but it says something about we Filipino moving on and moving on hard that Ondoy cannot destroy us. That we Filipinos have that distinct character among any other people or race or nation. Instead for us to feel depress, sad, tired, hungry, mumbling, etc., we are still smiling and enjoying ourselves inspite of the tragedy we tend to make every moment into our own liking because inspite Ondoy, others would see us smiling, laughing, telling stories, and helping each other whether of your status. In the video above, you could see people taking into their advantage the flooded undperpass, making it into a swimming pool and kids having a race and this was during the Ondoy itself. The image below is the same underpass you see on the video above.
But behind all the great heroes out there and others proud of our distinct characters there still other who would take advantage of this situation. Like services and goods going overprice. Like the private rubber boat who let their boats be rented at the height of Ondoy for P2500 (well this is not bad or something but lives at are stake, what if I do not have the money, do I die there even the boat is there?….) Like the politicians doing some relief operations and giving away some food for those who needs it but.. but have their name on the food itself like the image below… These are just few… and I know there are a lot of them right now…
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