Kring-Kring: There’s still hope for Tacloban

MANILA, Philippines - Tacloban City councilor and first lady Cristina Romualdez, popularly known as Kring-Kring during her showbiz heyday, still prefers to look at the brighter side of life than dwell on that “worst nightmare” she, along with her family and the rest of Taclobanons, had experienced when Typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines last Friday. Tacloban and Samar were caught in the eye of the storm.

“I’d like to look at things in a positive way,” said the former actress, who showed up yesterday afternoon at Toki Restaurant, sans make-up and clad only in plain white shirt, maong pants and rubber shoes. “I’m just thankful to God that we are all safe.”

Kring-Kring admitted that it will never be easy to bring back the once bustling, full-of-life city but with the way her fellow Pinoys and people from many parts of the world are showing support, she knows that Tacloban will be better in the days to come. “People are sharing their love. How can you not be touched by such wonderful act? We’re gonna start from scratch; we will begin fresh and new and I know that it will be better this time.”

Her appreciation for the support coming from friends and other countries is reflected on her face. Yes, Kring-Kring never denied that looting became rampant in the city. “There was this group from the outside that took advantage also of the situation kaya mas napasama. Taclobanons are sharing whatever they have, you can see that Filipino spirit of bayanihan.”

But she happily noted that everything is under control now since the curfew hours are being extended. The usual curfew time of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is changed to 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. of the following morning. US Marines are assisting the Philippine National Police, while support from different groups are coming in. Kring-Kring shared that Department of Social Welfare and Development Sec. Dinky Soliman had brought 100,000 sacks of rice.

“Right now, Mayor Alfred (Romualdez, her husband) is busy doing everything he can for his constituents. I will return to Tacloban soon, I just have to make sure that my children will be fine with my mom here (in Manila).”

Kring-Kring, too, brushed off negative reports that the mayor had disappeared and “that I was already reported to be dead. In fact, after the water subsided, we went around to check on the people.”

It was only five days ago when Typhoon Yolanda ravaged Tacloban City and other nearby provinces. Thus, Kring-Kring could not help but get teary-eyed while she recounted their harrowing experience. She vividly recalled how her daughters Sofia and Dianna clung to the beams of the ceiling of their guesthouse where they had sought shelter as waters raged and the wind blew off its roof.

“Three days before Yolanda struck, we were already preparing, sinabihan na din namin yung mga tao to go to a safe place because we all knew that a strong typhoon was coming but we didn’t expect that it would hit us so hard. We knew na malakas ang hangin but we never expected the storm surge, na biglang dumating yung tubig,” said Kring-Kring, who flew to Manila with her daughters Monday morning.

Kring-Kring estimated that the water rose to as high as 12 feet. Their house, which sits by the beach fronting the Pacific Ocean, had been destroyed. “Me and my daughters decided to go to the guesthouse because that is already far from the beach. I never thought na tataas ang tubig ng ganun. I was scared but I had to remain calm and strong for my daughters who were with me during that time.

“Everything was floating on the water, yung mga debris, and I didn’t even mind those rats beside us.”

Asked about the lessons she had learned from the devastating typhoon, Kring-Kring answered, “Faith in God is important because there’s really nothing you can do with these natural calamities. When it comes to this disaster, everyone learned about sharing. And you just have to realize that there’s no need to put value on whatever possessions you have. Me, I just trust in the Lord. I always keep in mind PSALM 91. And I kept myself calm so I could make the right decision.”

Now that the strongest typhoon recorded is over, Kring-Kring believes that there is still hope for Tacloban. “There’s still paglaom (Waray for hope). I hope that Tacloban will be up on its feet again.”