Ondoy has now been inked in our history books.
Things are pretty going on the usual path, at least for the non-victims of the letter O rainfall. Updates in the cyberworld had declined, alongside with the volunteers and donations. Well, that shows one of the distinct characteristics of Filipinos, the Ningas Kugon! I am guilty of that, too. But, am I against these kind-hearted volunteers and donors? I am not. These people are the ordinary people. Majority are in that so-called rat-race. They give, but don't expect them to include the word "donation" in their weekly or monthly budget list. They help, but don't pin them as selfless because aside from the fact that such word does not exist, these people have their own lives to attend to.
So what now? After this week-long Ondoy saga, what are the best options for the Philippines to take? I slice the cake into three parts: the Philippine government, the Filipinos spared by the tragedy, and the victims? In my views, how should these three sectors lend a hand to rebuild the shattered communities?
Us, who are luckier, should not TOTALLY put a dot as a symbol of a closed book. We are only done with one chapter. We still have to flip another page to fill up the greatest story of "Bayanihan".
Malacanang people, as expected, should spearhead the rebuilding of the communities. I won't elaborate more. :)
And now the victims.
I perfectly understood the trauma, fear, pain, and hardships that thi tragedy had brought to them. I salute them for getting through a deadly acts of God. But, as everyone of us keeps on moving, they should also move forward. Relief goods are necessity, but I do hope that they have their own initiatives of helping themselves as well.
In a snap, I can think of these practical ways of helping out:
1. Collect all the plastic bottles used for water.
2. Segregate the bio and non-boi from those relief goods that received.
3. Take turns in cleaning the evacuation centers, especially the ones for "major" things.
4. Go out and help in cleaning their communities.
If only discipline is instilled within us, there is no need for repacking the relief goods. These sacks of rice and boxes of canned goods can be brought directly to the relief centers, and they themselves can cook it one time-bigtime then distribute it fairly among themselves.
We can also get rid of the styro and other plastic materials if only they can initiate a periodic washing of the contributed plates and cups.
I know I sound like as if everything is just so easy to implement. I am perfectly aware of your usual reaction, "Eh, mag-aagawan lang sila nun eh" or "Nanakawin lang ng iba ang mga relief goods". But we all know what is the root of all these reasoning. We don't have discpline. We seem to love putting ourselves in the losing end and make it an alibi for us not to move forward. We are lazy. We want to put all the blame to the government... I admire those people who, in the midst of this tragedy, has still manage to stand up and take on what life has tasked them hurdle!
It makes me wonder, what were their means of living before Pareng Ondoy hit them?
No one can greatly help these victims but themselves. I hope ALL of them realizes it.
The past few months had been a roller-coaster ride for me - career and family matters, specifically. I had felt a lot of "downtime server" of my career leading me to the most major decision to date. Things seemed to be in an opaque side, too many opportunities, but no clear road to take. Anxiety, hesitation, and fear momentarily blocked my insane mind and lived every day thinking of what is the wisest step to forward my foot to.
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