To the survivors,

I turn the radio on to hear music that eases angst and melancholy; however, upon fixing the signal of our small transistor radio I heard your screams. The bellows and thunders of your dying voices seeking for help from us. But how can we lend a hand if we are miles away from you, and that the only thing that we can give is our silent prayers and sympathy for the situation that you are facing right now. You are drenched with the raging downpours of a whirlwind, trapped in the highest parts of now your so-called homes, and listening to the shrieks of your neighbor. However, how can you help each other if you know that you are in the arms of demise? And that the only people you can reach out are the humanity outside your place and those people seated in thrones and enjoying life in the castles.

However, people were compassionate of your sufferings, thus your cries has reached out many citizens across the globe. Humanity helping each other at this time of trials and problems, sharing the captured excruciating moments of yours and calling the attention of the sleeping giants of the society. With the numerous images, videos, and information circulating in many social media platforms, your agonizing experiences awakened many people and some of our leaders but more were still slumbering and waiting to be surprised for tomorrow’s horrible broadcasts. Sunrise was fast approaching but people are still wide-awake and are with you to send a message that you are not alone in these darkest moments.

The birds were chirping and sunlight was already beaming at my face signaling a new hope. It was like yesterday since I have heard your stories but it was already months ago, how are you survivors? Many months have passed but there are still few news that I have heard about you. And we have already celebrated the anniversary of our lockdown, and others are starting their second season, but how are you, survivors? Have you received adequate funding and enough help to mend the living scars left by the strong typhoons? Or are you still trying to muster your steps in the dark and trying to find the light for you to climb up? Yes, I was one of the countless people who shared, retweeted, and posted information about you in order to call for help because who would not feel goosebumps while listening to your screeches and sobbing amidst the dark flooded fields and houses.

Have you started the edifice of your shattered homes in order for you to start rebuilding your hope and strength in reaching you dreams? Or are you still left hanging by our government and waiting for the aid that they will provide. I am sure, you are moving on your own because even I have lost my trust and optimism for our administration. It has been more than a year since we have experience the threats and aftermaths of this pandemic but I think we were moving on our own, and actually we are on our own. What do we expect from them if they utilize media hours just to voice out their own sentiments instead of addressing the problems that needed to be unraveled? Even though they have provided essentials and other aids, is it enough for us to celebrate? Of course not, we need to have competent and determined leaders to serve us but what we have right now is only us and will always be us if we do not start making uproars.

It was like yesterday that we celebrated a new and prosperous new year however, upon popping firecrackers and champagnes, we welcomed the most horrifying year of our lives. We were greeted by, the life-and-death everyday living of the Covid-19 pandemic together with the eruption of Taal Volcano raging typhoons, scattered earthquakes and other natural phenomena, and other issues brought by this pandemic. In a certain time, we have concluded that the time has come for all of us to rest and give up our dreams. Just like you, who have been blinded in the dark and not knowing what and when help will come, we all struggled. However, we fought as one even though our government is already losing its grip on the tightrope. In fact, we are all survivors for we battled and triumphed in our own silent combats in life and now it is the time to ask. How are you? Filipinos, how are you?