marikina | butterfly effect :@

feet on mud
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer now…. The tragedy and calamity brought about by super typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” brought sorrows, grief and devastation to most of us, but amidst of it all, it also brings out the kindness in us and good spirit….

Last week, we have done relief-giving to those hit by flood… I just happened to know that a colleague (a victim one herself) was asking for volunteers to distribute the goods in Tumana, Marikina (the most badly-hit). And it so happened that our department have collected too many stuff, that, after we have personally distributed most of them to affected members of our department, there were still lot more. So I offered them to this group. I packed them in my car trunk, and I volunteered myself and my car to go wherever it is…

The experience was very tiring and perspiring as we have to take down the packed goods from 4th floor (we are not complaining, mind you). Then we took them in the site.

What we saw of the aftermath of the devastation will be forever imprinted in my memories. It was MORE than the mud, the wasted stuff, the smell, the news-worthy river, the debris and the damaged houses…. BUT there was air of despair, expectation, anticipation and frustration. I believe that these people are not used to beg or ask for “alms” or relief… but putting aside their pride, they have to take the long line and endure waiting (and even run after our truck of good) just to get little pack of basic sustenance. Because they need them… badly!

line relief

The experience was moving, eye-opening and heart-breaking!

I wish we could do more….

(While we have not yet recovered from the calamity of typhoon Ondoy in Manila, just merely after a week, the Northern Luzon was also hit by typhoon Pepeng and have also experience wrecking flood. And now, we are bracing for the coming of another super typhoon Ramil)