An old aphorism states that “Preparation is
something worth doing" however our preparation was not good enough to
evade the raging super typhoon-Yolanda.
Yolanda is known to be the strongest typhoon in history that badly devastated and dilapidated
houses, properties and almost ten thousand casualties including missing people
in most part of Leyte. In addition, some parts of Samar were also affected. Yolanda
is also known for her international name Haiyan.
I was not in Leyte that time because I have my
training in Isabela Cagayan in which the weather was fine and good enough to
walk on the street without any umbrella on hand. On November 7-2013, PAGASA
forecasted that Yolanda became the super typhoon that would hit mostly Leyte
and Samar areas. I texted my sister and brother to prepare everything and they
just responded my very text with “Okay”. I was worried and bothered for them
especially my very young nephews and niece. Here comes the ABS-CBN news
reporter-Mr. Atom Araullo covering Tacloban vicinity. I increased the volume of
the TV just to hear all the details of the super typhoon updates. Suddenly TV
signal collapsed and I see nothing more about the news of Mr. Araullo.
After the live coverage of Mr. Araullo who lost
his signal, I was on the verge of flying going to Leyte to check my siblings
and their kids but I can do nothing but to pray for their safety. After two
days, I was able to book my flight via Cebu going to Leyte with my co-worker.
Finally, we arrived at the damaged pier of Ormoc City.
Then our big boss then who
was able to join us going to Leyte that time hired a private vehicle for me to
reach home to see my family. As I stepped down the vehicle, I can’t stop my
tears running so hard for I see my nephews and niece with happy faces because
of my surprise arrival. I hugged them tearfully with my speechless elder sister
who was also crying. I look at our devastated house with gratefulness to God
that before it collapsed my sister and her husband, mother-in-law with the kids
made their quick flee going to the old house nearby.
I also visited my elder brother’s house and
gladly it was not damaged and upon my arrival seeing our family house I uttered
these phrases “Thank you Lord for your devine protection to them, I knew God
that what had happened has reasons and purposes.”
For now we are living temporarily in a tent with
the comfort and protection of the Lord, we are still rebuilding the house of my
sister. As I have observed I can still see homeless people like us but not
hopeless. We stand stronger than Yolanda because our great God who is always
there is the strongest of all.
