Lessons from the storm

MANILA, Philippines - I always consider September a month to remember. Aside from the fact that it is my birth month, I am also delighted at the thought that Christmas is just around the corner since we, Filipinos traditionally start to feel the holiday season on the first day of the “ber” month. But this year, things may be a little different to many of us especially those affected by the back-to-back storm that hit us 12 months ago.

Ondoy and Pepeng were considered two of the worst storms in Philippine history that caused a flood of chaos in the nation’s capital and many provinces resulting to over hundreds of casualties, dozens of people missing, half a million displaced and a damage to crops and infrastructure that is estimated to have reached billions of pesos.

And we thought that scenes like these only happen in the movies. When two strong storms combine, it will result to what we call The Perfect Storm just like that 2000 movie which stars George Clooney, Diane Lane and Mark Wahlberg. This is one of my favorite disaster films because of the great casting and a rare combination of suspense and drama. Also, I love films based on true stories because you’ll learn something from the movie since there is a possibility it might also happen to you. And it did come about in September last year.

For days, our eyes stayed glued in front of our TV sets to wait for news updates and advisories about the devastation brought by the typhoons. Every scene, video clip or snap shot flashed on screen is like a bitter pill that is hard to swallow. “I thought I was just dreaming,” said by a woman in an evacuation center when asked by a reporter to describe how she feels that moment. I’m sure many shared the same sentiment.

We have heard a lot of stories about that fateful day — many were heartbreakers that can soften even the heart of stone. But there were also tales that make us cheer in the midst of the tragedy from time to time. Indeed, there is light at the end of the tunnel, just like in the movie where Clooney, Wahlberg and the rest of the crew of the fishing boat Andrea Gail never gave up that one fateful night in October 1991 off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts. While in the middle of the deep and unfriendly waters and hopelessness, they discovered the true essence of camaraderie and the strength of human spirit.

Humbled by the storm, it will be easier for us to stand if we put in mind the lessons we can gain from last year’s unfortunate experience. Here are some of those learning that are worth pondering:

If there’s a will, there’s a way. Can you still recall the man on a wheelchair in the middle of a busy street wrestling against strong wind and rain to find a safe place to stay? How about the man trying to cross the ravaging flood walking on Meralco wires just to get home? You can say things about their foolishness but you have to commend their heart and spirit. They were not afraid to face whatever it takes to achieve their goals.

Bayanihan still lives on. Despite of the incidents of looting, overpricing of goods and alarming hoax text messages, the spirit of camaraderie finds its way to the hearts of the many. It’s like Christmas where people become generous and are ready to lend a helping hand. But what really hit me was the story of two unsung heroes from Batasan, Quezon City. Muelmar Magallanes and Rolly Ignacio were already in a safe place when they saw neighbors drowning in the flood. They were able to save many lives before they were carried by the strong current and drowned to death. They who have almost nothing were the ones who gave everything they have for the sake of others.

Even a snap of a finger can save lives. Forget the insensitive remarks of Facebook user Jacque Bermejo like “Buti na lang am here in Dubai! Maybe so many sinners back there! So yeah deserving what happened,” for she was not aware how serious the threat then. What’s remarkable is that how a simple shout out or tweet can save lives. I know some people who admitted that if not for a message posted in their Facebook and/ or Twitter account, they might have been one of the many victims of Ondoy and Pepeng. Members of such social network sites posted updates, notes and even videos on-line that made a lot of people aware of places or roads to avoid during the storm. Now, text messaging has found a new partner in reaching out to people in the fastest way possible.

There is life after a tragedy. Just like a promise of a rainbow after the rain, there is hope in every misfortune. After two days on the rooftop of his house soaked in flood water, a man was finally rescued in the morning of his birthday. It was dramatic and joyful when his rescuers sang a happy birthday tune. A female doctor of UERM hospital was inside her car when her vehicle was carried to nowhere by the flood. Without hesitation, a security guard of the hospital jumped to save the terrified woman. She lives another day and so does her patients. A pregnant woman about to give birth was trapped in the second floor of a neighbor’s house. She was saved by an American soldier who brought her to the nearest hospital. The baby boy was named Jonathan in honor of his rescuer, Dr. Johnny Potter of the US Army.

It’s not only the rain we should blame. We can’t deny the fact that we could have also contributed to the enormous damage brought by the storms. Garbage management has always been a problem and we should be aware that even the little trash that we just throw anywhere will return to us in bulk through floods and other calamities. Be eco-friendly and maximize the use of every material at home or at the office. We can get some inspiration from the people who created boats out of plastic containers, truck wheel’s rubber interiors, busted air beds and other things just to cope and survive the flood.

There is a thing called prayer to hang on to during desperate times. I can’t remember when was the last time I prayed so hard for the rain to stop. I usually devote minutes of prayer every morning to talk to God for all his blessings and wishes for my loved ones but that Saturday morning during the wrath of storm, I prayed the rosary with my wife asking for the weather to calm down. I consider it a miracle to have saved all the important things in our home considering that we have no second floor and the flood outside was chest-deep. This reminds me of a mother being interviewed on TV in an evacuation area. She said (in Tagalog), “We almost gave up because we really thought that no one can save us and we will all drown to death. Then my daughter told us to pray and Papa Jesus will save us.”

When you’re down, there’s no way to go but up. Two years ago, tragedy struck our family. Within the last quarter of 2007, we lost my first child Monique and younger brother Jimmy in two separate unfortunate incidents. There was no devastating flood nor heavy rains but it felt like I was drowning. Through the help of our friends, in their own little way, my family is learning to move on. Now, this family is coping with how to live in a drenched house. No, we’re not down because we’ve just been there and together we will all stand up to continue this journey called life.

 We all have our own story to tell on how we braved and survived a mighty storm. Whether it’s a near-death experience, an unforgettable moment or a sad story, we should always remember that it is not only misery that we get from a tragedy. We were luckier than the characters in the movie The Perfect Storm because no one came back the shore alive. But the tragedy left a great message of hope for the generations to come: Every obstacle in the roads we take can make us a better and stronger person. We just have to learn from the lessons from the storms.