Tragedy as renewal

There’s nothing like tragedy to put us back to our senses. Days before tragedy struck, the media circus was all about Erap and Ping starring in komedya ng bayan sa Senado. The headline and front page of the other paper a day before the typhoon was a big picture of early birds Mar Roxas and Noynoy Aquino vigorously campaigning in the streets of Davao.

Kris Aquino would not be outdone and in the same issue she names actors and actresses who have joined the mad rush for Noynoy for President because they were “her” friends.

I received an e-mail from a friend from abroad who forwarded an analysis. Ondoy caused by Glo? All this may sound funny now but not then in normal times. We would have continued to go merrily along tolerating such oddities until tragedy struck. Tropical storm Ondoy killed hundreds, wreaked havoc and damage to thousands living in small suburban villages in Marikina, Taguig, Cainta, that dot the Ortigas Ave. extension from Ortigas Business Center all the way to Antipolo before we would change gears, care and work for more serious causes.

It was the worst typhoon and flooding in 40 years but it will also be remembered as a point of renewal.

*      *      *

Suddenly, our perspectives had to be changed. It was no longer about election or politicians, about who deserves to be elected president in 2010 or whether we should have Charter change first before elections etc. etc. These were all swept aside by Ondoy’s rampaging waters to make way for the unfailing truth — the fragility of life and how we are all in it together.

The truth unfolded with the cadence of the march of television snapshots and stories. There was the mother who left her children to swim for help only to return and find them gone, swept into dark murky water; a soldier, Army Private First Class Venancio who died while rescuing residents in Famy, Laguna and the teen-age construction worker who saved more than 30 people, mothers and children alike before he himself drowned. Heroism was not all on television. There were many others of which we will never know. One friend narrates how he found his strength of will when he swam through the flood of debris and waste to rescue his grandchildren.

*      *      *

Another typhoon is expected to remind us yet again that we constantly live on the edge of disaster. But despite this we should never feel lost because the human spirit, in struggle and misfortune, can be called to respond in such times.

We have learned many lessons from Ondoy but none more valuable than that tragedy can also bring renewal. Tragedy is what it takes to change people. With a new perspective, we can do more than just be part of a mob or to create frenzy.

It is possible, indeed mightily important that we take stock and realize that we have to be courageous at all times even if it means not to belong to mobs, which is not to say that we do not need each other. We do, but it should be borne by courage, not fear.

Ondoy’s tragedy has opened the way to show how we can be better governed and that citizens must also play their part so it does not happen again. When better times settle, it would be good to recall how differently (some) took it upon themselves to come to the aid of others without prodding, how one’s own safety did not matter and that government is there to help citizens help themselves.

Indeed, comparisons were made between Ondoy and Katrina in the US in the size of the tragedy but the difference is that Filipinos depended less on government. Both victims and rescuers were a community and did not distinguish between what was the job of government and what was not. It is through this tragedy that we might once more discover that we are a nation, ready to chart a new course and discover our capacity as Filipinos to work together in a national renewal.

*      *      *

As soon as the news broke out on the hapless victims of the flood, I went to the nearest S & R to buy boxes of sardines, corned beef and noodles. I was not alone. There were others, countless others. Indeed, the shelves were nearly cleaned out because of those who would normally get their groceries buying goods for donations. People were buying but not for themselves, but for others. It was beautiful.

A classmate from grade school put me in touch with Green Cross, Inc., the rubbing alcohol people, who were soon at my doorstep with a vanful of boxes of alcohol bottles, zonrox, blankets, mats, clothing. We promptly delivered these to Oplan Sagip Bayan in Malacañang. When we arrived there were hundreds of volunteers sorting out donations as quickly as they can.

I saw Luli Arroyo-Bernas in flip-flops, casually dressed in shorts and t-shirt at the Kalayaan Hall working with the rest of the volunteers making sure that donations came in through a door, repacked, and out through a second door with trucks ready for loading in minutes.

Also there was Presidential Management Staff Head Secretary Hermogenes Esperon coordinating Oplan Sagip Bayan’s efforts with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

I think that although help from volunteers was needed, there was another reason why they had come. Coming to help others was uplifting they said. They felt changed just by helping.

One of the volunteers, religion teacher Edith David, who is also a Kagawad in the 4th District of Manila, said she decided to volunteer not just for the material things but to give hope to people who were devastated by the typhoon.

“I feel so happy to be part of this relief goods operations. Dito walang mayaman, walang mahirap, we all came together to help the victims.

In Kalayaan Hall, soldiers were packing the relief goods with members of the non-government organizations, wives of the Presidential Security Group, students, government employees and other private individuals.

On that day alone, more than 153,535 families in CALABARZON were helped by Oplan Sagip Bayan. Oplan Sagip Bayan is open for donations, especially hot meals for victims that will be distributed to all disaster areas such as Marikina, Cainta and Pasig among others.

Volunteers are welcome at the Kalayaan Hall of the Presidential Palace. We also have our Philippine STAR relief goods operation for those who want to contribute or volunteer.