A few days ago, Manny Pacquiao brought glory to the Philippines by winning another boxing title to his name. I was one of the millions who highly anticipated the match and cheered when he won. Had I been back in the Philippines my cheers would have probably been drowned by the cheers of my family and of the neighbors outside. Such was the effect of the much-awaited Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

Not long before that, I too, was again part of the millions eagerly praying for a better outcome of a situation in our country. But only this time it was not about a Filipino earning international glory, nor was it about any famous actor/actress or politician. That event was something more closer to home. Something I thought I would not bear to see over the radio, internet or tv. It was about something that no one dreamed would happen in such a short time---the wrath of typhoon Ondoy. I was ignorant of what was happening during the height of the typhoon. Nestled in the comfort of our home here in the Netherlands, I was oblivious to the destruction that was happening. Not until I saw the pictures online. The devastation that followed after Ondoy released 455 mm (17.9 in) of rain on Metro Manila in a span of 24 hours, the most in 42 years and one that is equivalent to a month’s long of rainfall dropped in a day, was heartbreaking.

My mind was racing to the names of people I know who live in the areas badly affected. The many faces of the children, women and men that was plastered in the internet and all over the news, all with that look of helplessness in their eyes. Fortunately, none of our distant relatives and friends were affected by the flooding. The news of another impending typhoon made me even more restless. I probably am not the only one who was in the verge of asking “Why? …Why such suffering?” But faith tells us not to question but to hold on to hope and to hope we held on dearly for the next few hours. My friends and I were constantly exchanging messages online asking for prayers. At that time, it was the only way we knew that we could be of help.

As typhoon Pepeng veered its course to the Northern part of the Philippines a lot of us exclaimed a sigh of relief. Our prayers were answered. But the ordeal did not stop there. The havoc created by Pepeng caused serious flooding and landslides in the northern provinces. Watching what was transpiring over You tube and international news, it felt like a double-edge sword, one where you are grateful and yet despondent for seeing the misery that the typhoon has caused. Everything that happened was so hard to accept. I have been living abroad for a good 5 years now and I have never experienced seeing such tragedy fall in our country. It never occurred to me after seeing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the United States that, I too, would be put in a situation where I see such suffering of my own people. The days that followed made me long to be back home to help in whatever way I can. The urge to be able to do something for our countrymen was so great that I knew I cannot just sit back and cry for all the images that I have seen. I may not have the financial means but I was desperate to do something, anything.

Lucky for me I got in contact with Erliza, from Balikbayan Europe, who offered to sponsor free donation shipments to the Philippines in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross, Rizal Chapter. This information sent me and my Filipina friends in motion. We just cannot sit and bear all the things happening to our people, when tragedy strikes home, we muster the strength to help---such is the Filipino spirit. Along with other members of Stichting Bayanihan, The Philippine Women’s Center in the Netherlands, and close Filipina friends and their partners we were able to gather more than a 150 big plastics of clothes coming from friends, families and our husbands’ colleagues. Such were the responses from people that we felt humbled. It may not be worth thousands of pesos, dollars or euros. But for us, as we helped in sorting the clothes and folding them in the boxes, we knew that people receiving such clothes will be happy. For us, those who have lost so much deserve a break, just knowing that they have one less item to think about in the things that they need to replenish, even if it was just by receiving one of the slightly used shirt or pants that left us with a smile on our faces and lighter hearts.

* Thanks to all Bayanihan members, families and friends for their donations as well as to those who were with us during the bringing and sorting of the clothes: Jen and Eric, Zinna and Bauke, Manu and Gianne, Clarisse and Edwin, Jos and Nessa, and Ate Rose. Special thanks to our good friend Jack for the use of his van and his help in collecting clothes to take to the warehouse. It was a great deal of driving that he did for that day and we’re so grateful for that. Lastly, thanks to my partner, whose support and devotion keeps me going.

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine