Deluge

Over the past week, images of the aftermath of Ondoy have circulated in the net. The effects of the tropical depression were unprecedented and needless to say, it has caught everyone by surprise. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes and loved ones. The material belongings are something we can all do away with since they can be replaced but lives that have been lost are gone forever.

I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love from the private sector who has taken the initiative to reach out to those who have been badly hit by Ondoy. In this age of apathy and indifference, the Filipino Bayanihan spirit has risen from its ashes. Volunteers trooped to warehouses to sort out and pack relief goods, all in the spirit of genuine brotherhood. However I cannot, for the life of me, fathom why the national government is taking such a long time to reach out and give immediate assistance to flood victims. Briefings won’t make a difference, the nation needs concrete solution to a calamity of this scale.

It is during times like this that we get a full grasp of the abuse we have done to Mother Nature. Harsh as it may sound, it’s payback time.

Let’s all hope for the best. We are a resilient people. We can rise above any situation. And we can still make a difference.