After eating a quick lunch and buying groceries, we decided to go home. I assumed we would be home within 30 minutes or so. We weren't prepared for what came next. Traffic was horrendous! Vehicles along Star Tollway came to a halt. We were forced to find alternative routes going home. Flooded areas hindered us from going home. It was scary because there were some places in town with raging flood waters. Some vehicles that rushed in the flood got stuck as engines stalled. My husband was more careful and decided to wait for flood waters to subside a little before heading on. What I thought was a 30-minute drive home stretched to a 3-hour journey.
When we finally reached home, I was thankful that there was no flood in our village. I was so anxious to go inside the house to see my son that I dropped my umbrella. A sharp part of the umbrella's interior sliced my left ring finger. It was a little deep but fortunately didn't require stitching.
As I applied first aid, my 6-year old son gave me a tight hug. He said that he watched the people in the flood on TV and was worried we were trapped like them. It was only at that moment that I realized how serious things were in Manila and other nearby towns. I was shocked when I saw people on the roofs and tremendously deep flood waters engulfing homes and vehicles. I realized that we were blessed because my family was safe and dry. We had a little difficulty going home but that didn't compare to the sufferings experienced by other people. I was moved to tears as I saw families with small children drenched and helpless on top of their roofs. I watched in horror as a group of people were helplessly swept by the strong currents. I couldn't believe how devastated many areas were. Some people even lost their lives during typhoon Ondoy's fury.
I found out that the 5 to 6-hour downpour was equivalent to one month of rain. Experts say that it is a result of a global climate change. It's a scary fact that stares us right on the face. It is only one of nature's many warnings to us.
The typhoon left a trail of destruction, pain and suffering to many of my countrymen. The typhoon left many homeless. A lot of families are now temporarily housed in evacuation centers like schools and gymnasiums. Help have poured in from the government, local and international private sectors but more people are in dire need of help. Please open your hearts and help in whatever way you can.
Source: www.youtube.com
Donation Links:
- How to Donate to Manila From Abroad
- Google : Help for Typhoon Ondoy Victims in the Philippines
- How To Help Victims of Tropical Storm Ondoy
- Where to Send Donations For Typhoon Ondoy Victims
- How To Donate Via SMART
- How To Donate To Red Cross Via Globe: Text RED (space)
5/25/50/100/300 to 2899. Ex. Txt RED 1o0 to 2899. Transaction is free if charge.
20 comments:
Ouch for the finger cut. I'm glad your family is safe. Take care!
@Witsandnuts:
Thank you. I'm sorry that your vacation was tainted by typhoon Ondoy but glad you and your family are safe.
Its good news that you're all safe.
BTW, Globe subscribers may also give donations thru Red Cross by texting RED space amount and send to 2882.
@Renin:
Thanks. I have updated my post to add Globe.
Events like this humbles us! Sometimes things just get out of our control and some people did get the worst!
My sister was trapped in her office for days because she couldn't come home to her flooded apartment. We are all grateful that she's safe.
Take care! Give Yohan an ext;ra hug for me...
@Charlotte:
I'm glad to know that your sister is safe. People have not yet fully recovered and another storm is set to hit the country this weekend. It is reported to be a super typhoon. I hope and pray that storm pepeng weakens.
Thanks for the RP, Rachel. Good to know that you're all safe. Couldn't help but notice Star Tollwy. Are you from Batangas? Tha Haligi hails from Batangas City. :)
@Maver:
I'm from Sto. Tomas. I moved here when I got married.
Glad to hear you and your family are safe and well... never saw so much rain in my whole life...
I am so sad for all the people who lost everything in the floods... lets help were we can !
@Sidney:
Thank you. I'm grateful that we're all safe. I hope that it will never rain that hard again. Yes, every help is appreciated.
Your such a big hearted woman with a great and contributive post like this. All efforts helps!
I've been active in social media and Norwegians are collecting money to help through the Red Cross.
@Renny:
Thank you very much. The Filipino people are grateful for the generosity and kindness of the Norwegians. God bless.
hi rachel, i'm glad your typhoon of Ondoy is not as the others. i'm glad you and your family are safe and well.
hope Pepeng will have mercy on the Phils. God bless the Phils.
@Ibyang:
The floods came so unexpectedly. It was scary watching what the other people went through that day. We're lucky that the flood didn't reach our area.
Ciao Rach, glad to hear you and your family are safe and well! Big hugs!!
@Kia and Zeno:
Thank you very much. We are blessed.
i hope that enough support will arrive and that areas affected by the flood will soon be recovered.
so sad to see some of our fellow filipinos suffering from this experience. i too have my own share of experience though hindi kami binaha pero nakatulong kami sa ibang bahay.
@dong ho:
I also hope that more people open their hearts to help. Long term rehabilitation is needed to help our fellow countrymen. It's great that you were able to help your neighbors during the height of the storm. I'm sure they are grateful for all your help.
we see in the tv news and read in the newspaper about what happenings there in phils.
our friends asked about there, if what they can do,too.
some gives their aids at the red cross n some who are accepting funds for the victims in phils.
Let us all join hands in prayer..............
THERE IS IMMENSE POWER WHEN MULTITUDES ARE IN PRAYER.
@Vicki:
Thank you very much.
Post a Comment