My family and I left for a scheduled
trip to HK
( still VISA free ) a day before Typhoon HAIYAN was expected to slam
into the Philippines. Earlier news described Typhoon HAIYAN ( local name
YOLANDA ) as "the strongest storm to develop this year with wind speeds
exceeding 190 miles an hour (305 kilometers an hour), equivalent of a
Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean". That bit of news alone
was enough to cause me some measure of anxiety. And then, in the early
morning of November 8, Yolanda made impact, leaving a path of indescribable
devastation in her wake.
While in HK, I continued to monitor
the local and international news and talked to some people back home who told
me how bad it really was, Though it generally affected our brothers
down south and barely touched Manila, the effects of Typhoon YOLANDA are
far reaching. Our "kasambahays" at home were not spared as they
received news of relatives who perished, or a nanny's dilemma knowing that her
children did survive the super typhoon but still have no food to eat, or
friends who despite their efforts have not yet heard from their loved ones back
in the province.
I applaud the efforts of relatives
and friends who have taken the initiative to start a brigade for relief goods
and provide legitimate avenues where in we can contribute in whatever way
we can. The situation is dire and any contribution will surely go a long
way to alleviate the suffering that our brothers had to go through and are
still going through at this moment.
I know these relief goods are just
that - goods to provide temporary relief by addressing the immediate needs of
our brothers who have lost so much. We still have a long way to go
and the task at hand is daunting but it is a start. Perhaps a warm meal to ease
the pangs hunger, clean drinking water to relieve their thirst, a warm blanket
for a good nights sleep or simply just to get them through the night.
A little measure of relief provides a little glimmer of hope to face
another day.
And, sometime real soon, we can get
on with the task of rebuilding towns, rebuilding homes, and hopefully,
rebuilding lives....
Thank you Marilen Concepcion for the pic above
Relief Efforts organized by the "beautiful ladies" of KAWAYAN have managed to fill up two 20-foot containers through the generosity of various donors
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Hong Kong
