“Where is your God?!!!”
Bang! Our beautiful blue-eyed expat boss announced to the “world” (our office) after the storm Yolanda hit the Northern part of Cebu! And everyone really just, shhhh, heads down, eyes fixed on the monitor, afraid to move, comment or refute. It was a crazy day because many of our colleagues were worried of their loved ones were among the victim, hit by the storm that cleared and leveled structures to the ground. And it was troublesome to go north because, its wasn’t accessible for 3days. Oh yes! It wasn’t. It was one of the greatest storm that hit Cebu after Ruffing from the 90s, nothing compared, ‘til this. We thought, we were crippled since national government, oh you know as usual, nothing new! Tsk!
Help
The lights returned after sometime, of course, everything was expected in chaos but lo! Oh no! It was truly calm after the storm. And… Oh! Surprise! Little did we know people were pulling up their resources and bought supplies. Oh not home supplies but relief goods. No LGU, just citizen, friends, neighbors… raised funds and really bought supplies. One by one, people with SUVs, vans and the likes, commissioned their own relief operation. Bringing in supplies to the province especially those municipalities that were really affected.
The blocked road!
Was it really a problem? Oh! People bringing in supplies were stranded and was not able to pass thru after 3 days, so people were not moving. Those already arrived on the scene couldn’t help but stranded and helped clearing the trees/debris, straight 3 days. Wow! It wasn’t broadcasted but word of mouth, after 3 days, it was accessible and lo, everyone seemed to parade going north. Not minding the heat and exhaustion, everyone left the city and helped the north. And the city went ghost town on the weekends. Hmmm! On IT PARK, every building, every floor, easily organized relief operation and influx of supplies were parading. No one felt the overwhelming feeling of relief that even those penniless helped but giving out the used garments/blankets/coats, anything useful even plates, bags - everybody contributed. Like every payday, people give some, even as small as Php 50 goes a long way, no one complained. Ahhh! This wasn’t on the news. Everybody was just relieved that people lost their homes but never their spirits, dreams and especially their future, -hope that sun rises after the storm.
Rebuilding
Ahhh… Mama’s outreach… Took about 2 weeks before we could organize and help rebuilding. Supplies were brought in. Additional construction materials were brought in to really rebuild their homes. Food supplies too, to support them while they recuperate. Oh Lord, the ways you helped, unfortunately, people chose to leave you.
After all these... we are all human, hurt, broken, damaged... oopps! the looting was just embarrassing you know, that hit international news! But above! Pff! No but it was all carved in the hearts of every Cebuanos! It wasn't even a crisis at all. Beckering only helps loss lives and damages the damaged. Politicking, all the more! No one is asking for money, you can really give what you have available - spare shoes, time, your hand to help distribute. Really! And no need for publication, nor broadcast it... This was not even highly published on FB. We just really, do our part... Let's show God's work in our action. Good morning everyone! God bless
Nov 23, 2021
Leas image all ours taken years ago
It's really true that heaven helps those who helps themselves... Nice write up... I know what you mean when you say storm... I was once in a storm that lifted roofs and carried people away... It's hard to have a positive attitude when you're on the middle of that situation... Kudos to all the good people who took the initiative to get supplies...