The Bayanihan spirit

In the aftermath of any disaster, it is natural to start looking for someone or something to blame. In the midst of the worst flooding we have ever seen, and with PAGASA projecting more rain and typhoons to come, this is not the right moment. We are still in the disaster. There will be plenty of time in the future to play the blame game, but with people still dying, with people homeless and hungry, not now. The dialogue will and must happen. Out of that discussion, we will all then need to work to make sure that when the next “storm of the century” comes through, we are not caught unprepared.

We have long worried about the effect of heavy rains on Metro Manila. Would the city flood? What would the damage be? Our motto has been hope for the best, but plan for the worst. What we never doubted was the bayanihan spirit of the Filipino. After seeing the Filipino fight and survive the Japanese Occupation, Martial Law and numerous naturai disasters (every year we are ranked as the country with the most natural disasters) we knew that in the midst of disaster Filipinos would band together to help each other. As with everyone else, we have been touched by the incredible stories of heroism and bravery that are being told. If there is a positive side to calamity, it is this. Undergoing great calamities gives us opportunity to truly see and know ourselves and our friends. These are hard times for all. We are impressed by what we have seen in our fellow Filipino. We are humbled by their selfless actions.

The stories of heroism are almost uncountable. We were especially touched by the story of Muelmar Magallanes, who rescued 30 people before dying in another rescue attempt. The remarkable thing is, this extraordinary story of bravery has become almost ordinary in these trying times. Not just private citizens are pitching in for the relief efforts, corporations are working to lend a hand. We applaud the actions of corporations who have donated goods, services and funds to the rescue efforts, including oil and gas companies rolling back prices at the pump. Some of the measures to aid the victims of Typhoon Ondoy include imposing a price ceiling on basic goods. We even have word that government corporations are going to be donating even more funds to the efforts; above and beyond what they are doing now.

At the writing of this column, the reported death toll stood at 250 people, with more to be expected. Over 500,000 people have been displaced from their homes; many are homeless and hungry. Over the next few weeks the situation is not likely to improve dramatically for some of them; especially with reports that over 200,000 tons of rice were destroyed during the storm. Rescue efforts are still on-going, but the effort to house, feed and clothe the displaced will continue for many months. This is a time for people and especially politicians to put aside differences (imagined and real) and work towards helping those in need. We hope that people and institutions (public, government, private) will continue to selflessly donate their time and goods to the efforts. For those who have lost everything, anything is appreciated.

On the internet site Facebook, a prayer in support of the victims of Ondoy is circulating. With full compliments to those who wrote it, we reproduce it here:

Our Father in Heaven, we humbly pray to you as a nation.

We plead to Your merciful heart that You may look upon us with compassion.

We pray for our brothers who have lost their lives these past days Receive them in Your Heavenly kingdom.

We pray for those who are lost and those trying to get home to their family. Make their way easy.

We pray for those who have lost their homes. Give them comfort.

We pray for those who are still exposed to the bad conditions and awaiting help. Give them strength.

Everything we do for our unfortunate brethren, we offer to You and Your Glory.

All this we pray in the most holy name of Jesus.

Amen.