Ruby

It seems like I always find myself writing about one typhoon per year.

2012, I wrote about Pablo. It was a very nerve-wracking moment for me because it hit Mindanao. I recall we had our share of storm here but the worst part of the experience was when I wasn't able to reach Job for, I think, 2 days. I was so afraid! It turns out they lost electricity and he just couldn't get his phone charged. He was also living in a different post of Surigao during that time and experienced going to an evacuation center because he was staying in a house near the coast (for work).

2013, there was Yolanda, a name that would forever live in infamy. I remember that we experienced stormy weather although it wasn't anywhere near what Visayas experienced. Until today, affected people still need help, and then another typhoon came along.

2014, we have Ruby. With an international name like Hagupit, one can't help but feel afraid. But God is good. First, I believe every province that is bound to be affected is prepared for the typhoon. Second, it had consistently weakened and lowered in level.

Job, who lives in Surigao (del Sur), the province that almost every storm inevitably hits first, told me they already packed their things and were ready to go to a little farm that they have, located in a higher area. However, nothing but sunny weather greeted them. The same happened here in Davao City. Not once did it rain and not once did the temperature even drop. Praise God!

Sadly, I can't say the same for Visayas. Unlike here, many properties have been damaged. It's heartbreaking to see houses built by recovering Yolanda survivors torn apart by another storm. There are still casualties, a few as reported but still casualties nonetheless. But I dare to say that the preparedness of provinces this year prevented what could have been a higher number.

The typhoon is currently in Luzon now and we're still praying that it wouldn't do so much damage. To friends in Metro Manila and Luzon, keep safe!

Now it is easy to say that if God can answer prayers and control the storms, why was Yolanda's case different? Why did thousands of people have to die in its wake?

Frankly, I don't know why. My limited understanding couldn't answer that; only God can. All I know is that he's sovereign and knows what he's doing. However, I can say that we learned so much from last year's tragedy and have come a long way in terms of understanding storms and preparing for them. For all its worth, I think this counts.

_________________________________________________________________

Do you like this post? Never miss out again when you click on the cute bunny below:

Or by entering your email here:

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

You can also follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for daily updates on my mundane musings.

Donation Blues

Happy Wednesday! It's a sunny morning here in Davao City, and I can't help but praise God for keeping me and my loved ones safe and dry. Please don't think I'm being insensitive. I am fully aware of our brothers' and sister's plight, but shouldn't we be praising God at all times?

Also, my mom is going home tonight from a 5-day business trip. I praise God for keeping her safe in her travels. Plus! My friend Teena's aunt and family have already been found and are safe (I mentioned that we are looking for them in my last post: Top 5 #YolandaPH Stressful Scene-Stealers)! God is good!

So, if I'm in such a praising mood today, what "donation blues" am I talking about? You see, in our nightly conversation last night, I asked Job if we could donate sabay to the same organization. To be frank about it, I'm having trouble choosing which organization to connect to. That's a good thing, isn't it? Wala lang, gusto ko lang ng kasabay, which is sooo me. Haha!

Imagine my disappointment when Job kept saying I should just choose the organization on my own. I kept making kulit (sorry about that, I know no accurate English equivalent) that we choose together, but he kept on telling me na ako nalang daw. I was disappointed because I thought he wouldn't be donating. What kind of man are you? Charot.

After further kulits and almost getting pouty about it, he finally relented and told the truth. He and his workmates already gave up both of their 14th month pays and Christmas bonuses to donate. I was speechless at first. Honestly, my first (selfish) thought was, ang laki naman nun! Hindi ba pwedeng bonus lang? But then, the better Maan shone through and was happy that this man I love is so selfless.

We then praised the Lord for giving us the capacity to give and be a blessing to others. Now, if I could only choose an organization once and for all!

PS: He did not broadcast his good deed; he was napilitan because I was not talking to him already.

PPS: I leave you with words from the pastor of the my former Christian church, Noel Alkuino:

Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well" -- but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all -- it is dead and useless. (James 2:14-17 NLT)

_________________________________________________________________

Do you like this post? Never miss out again when you click on the cute bunny below:

Or by entering your email here:

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

You can also follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for daily updates on my mundane musings.

Top 5 #YolandaPH Scene-Stealers We Can Do Without

It is no secret that the entire nation is under a state of calamity. There's no better time to stay strong as a people and be our brothers' keeper. For the unaffected among us, there's no better time to praise God for the roof above our heads, the clean shirt on our backs, and the food on our tables.

However, aside from the calamity itself, some issues (and issue-makers) are causing even the most patient among us more stress. These stress-inducers are like vampires sucking the remaining of our spirit. Well, maybe I'm being overdramatic, but these are the reasons why I grimace each time I scroll down my feeds or watch the evening news. I listed what, for me, are the worst stress-inducers -- from merely irritating to really blood-boiling -- in this tragic time:

Photo: thewatchoutblog.wordpress.com

5. Humble-braggarts

Humble braggarts are those who are skilled in carefully bragging without sounding like a braggart. Yes, that's a science and an art. For example: I just woke up, didn't take a bath, and dragged my bed-head to the coffee shop, and the barista is still hitting on me. Unbelievable!

These are the people on your news feed who will casually mention on Twitter that they are on the way to the grocery to buy relief goods. These are the ones who will take a photo of said relief goods and post it on Instagram. These are the ones who will announce the act of goodwill over Facebook. Hashtag YolandaPH. And don't even get started with the artistas!

Well, news flash: You don't have to proclaim it to the whole world. Your left hand should not know what your right hand does.

4. Self-righteous ranters

Ah, the humble braggarts are a breath of fresh air compared to these rancid ranters. He's your friend who will make agitated statements (and status messages) on how people should not only hashtag (YolandaPH) but actually help. You know? The actual tulong? The funny thing here is that the self-righteous ranter thinks he's the only one actually doing something when he's not. Which is, of course, not true.

He is the one who would make nasty comments on a celebrity's account because the celebrity is not posting anything disaster-related.

Newsflash: Just because someone hasn't been posting his donations for the world to see doesn't mean he didn't help at all. Oh wait. I sound like a self-righteous ranter, don't I?

3. Blasphemous haters

Hitting the Storm's Eye

I haven't seen news updates about Yolanda because our cable signal has been out since last night. It only came back around 8:30 this morning, and there weren't any relevant news programs to see. I didn't know that Yolanda is now considered the world's most powerful storm.

You see, my mother left last night for a business trip in Baguio and Manila. To tell you the truth, we didn't feel the storm here in Davao City because it was sunny here. Also, their flight wasn't cancelled, so I thought Yolanda was not as harmful as she was projected.

Because of that, I honestly thought the super-typhoon just breezed (pun not intended) its way through the country without casualties, so imagine my shock when I read this article. I felt especially down when I read that one of the casualties was a 2-year old baby from Zamboanga City who got struck with lightning. Heartwrenching.

However, this photo has been circulating around my social media feeds:

Photo: http://peepread.com/

The moment I read this comment, I was deeply touched. Why? Because it's true! This typhoon is certainly stronger than the other typhoons/hurricanes, but somehow, I know we'll get through it. I know this comment, no matter how heartfelt it is, won't bring back the lost lives. However, I am happy because strength and resilience is becoming a symbol of the Filipino character.

Filipinos must be one of the most misunderstood people, don't you think? That's why I have a huge feeling that this commenter must (a) be a Filipino, (b), have Filipino blood, or (c), lived with Filipinos. It's so nice to hear something positive about our people for a change. No matter what the reason is, his comment hit the bull's eye. Maybe even the storm's eye.

_________________________________________________________________

Do you like this post? Never miss out again when you click on the cute bunny below:

Or by entering your email here:

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

You can also follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for daily updates on my mundane musings.

On Typhoons and Petty Problems

Background photo from sunstar.ph

I'll let you in on a secret. I've been losing sleep for several days now due to a petty problem: my lack of interaction with people - people from the outside world. I wish I was kidding, but I'm not. All I see and talk to are Yuri, my parents, my sister, and the yaya. I constantly communicate with Job, but we don't even see each other. And I think it's taking a toll on my mental health.

This week, my godson had his first birthday celebration, and I wasn't able to come because walang magbabantay kay Yuri. I can't count how many times I've used that reason to back out on an invitation. On the contrary, mabibilang lang ng isang kamay the times I've actually gone out to have fun with friends. Oh wait. That was, maybe, just a couple of times since Yuri was born.

Before you get the wrong impression, no, I'm not blaming Yuri at all. How could I? I know this sounds like such a petty problem, but it doesn't feel petty to me. How about online interaction? Well, almost never din!

However, I could not dwell on it, knowing that it is nothing compared to the problems of our Filipino brothers and sisters affected by Yolanda. To be honest, I don't know what's going on. I haven't watched the news since last night, and I'm not checking my Twitter and Facebook accounts. I'm not being insensitive; I think I'm just shutting out. What I'm doing is checking updates on how to help.

Job, who's in Surigao del Sur, told me that they've been up since 4 this morning because the wind was already howling. The entire extended family is staying in their lola's house because it's on higher ground. Meanwhile, almost all of the trees daw in their compound fell down. Coconut and banana trees within their area have been uprooted. Even their huge mango tree broke. Roofs were flying din daw. I most certainly know I cannot bother him with my petty problems.

Petty, but I haven't felt this lonely since I was a freshman in UP who knew no one - but I had classmates and dormmates. Or since I worked as a lone newspaper reporter - but back then, I was regularly seeing my spiritual family at church and I had the time of my life. Now, it's a never-ending cycle of being cooped up at home. This week, the only outside-world-interaction I had was with the 2Go deliveryman:

Who delivered this huge carton containing 126 diapers

Maybe I just need someone whom I can talk to.

(Sorry for the grammatical errors. I couldn't be bothered to proofread.)

PS: I haven't lost my mind completely yet. I am still fervently praying for this storm to leave the country without casualties and huge damages.

_________________________________________________________________

Do you like this post? Never miss out again when you click on the cute bunny below:

Or by entering your email here:

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

You can also follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for daily updates on my mundane musings.

Monster Typhoon

I can clearly remember last year when Typhoon Pablo ravaged its way through Mindanao. That time, I wasn't able to contact Job for days because of the disruptive signal. That time, I was worrying, praying day and night that all of my loved ones would be safe.

This time, another super-typhoon is in the country: Yolanda. Today, Job's work has been cancelled because of the heavy rains. Thankfully, the weather is still fairly fine where I am. Job reported that earlier at dawn, super lakas na daw ng ulan. It weakened slightly this morning, but it is expected to gain strength again.

What is bad is that Yolanda is headed toward Visayas and will likely cause damages in Bohol, which has been very recently damaged by a strong earthquake. Even worse, there is a possibility that Yolanda might be even stronger than Pablo. Oh no. No no no.

Photo: instagram.com/reginevalcasid

Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Lord God, have mercy on this nation.

_________________________________________________________________

Do you like this post? Never miss out again when you click on the cute bunny below:

Or by entering your email here:

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

You can also follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for daily updates on my mundane musings.

Typhoon Pablo

Typhoon Pablo is already in the Philippine area of responsibility as of yesterday. It is supposed to be a really strong typhoon, a super-typhoon in fact, and would be stronger than last year's Sendong - which devastated a lot of brothers and sisters in CDO. 

As of now, various provinces in Visayas and Mindanao are already under signals 1-3. We, in Davao, are already experiencing strong winds (which I can feel from the window beside me while typing). But I'm not worried for myself; we live in a secure place that is not flood-prone and far from the sea. What I'm worried about is J, who is in Surigao, as well as his family. Heck, his boarding house is situated right beside the sea.

Surigao is already under Signal No. 3. I can't help but be worried, but I pray that everyone will be fine. I'm worried especially for J, but I really pray that everyone will be spared from the storm's wrath. 

Photo from National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council's Page

There is nothing we can do but pray and be prepared. Here's another photo detailing what we should prepare before the storm sets in. 

Photo from MinLand Foundation's Page

I already told J to prepare these things. Actually, I was begging him to go home to his family where he would be safer and, at least, be farther from the sea. He told me last night that he can't go home yet as they still have work to do. I'm really hoping the company would suspend work and allow all of them to go home safely.

To everyone reading this, especially those from Visayas and Mindanao, please be safe.