There was a time when I was going home for the summer from Zamboanga to Davao. I was aboard in a Sulpicio Line filled with MT interns from Laguna. I talked to some and they were intrigued of how diverse Filipinos are. They met Cebuanos, Chavacanos, and Illonggos along their route. And in between the lines, they somehow undermined and discriminated them. Oh I know how they talk proudly because they speak the national language (tagalog) and actually live up north where the capital is. I even remember one dialogue from all their bragging.
Intern: But you know, if the whole Philippines would be flooded, I think Metro Manila will survive.
More Interns: (laugh) I think so too.
Me: (nods) But do you know that Davao City has never been hit by storms and typhoons? (smiles)
Intern: Really?
Now, I just smiled whenever I think about that of how surreal that was. And now, the whole Metro Manila is in flood from Ondoy's rain with streets filled with trash and mud. It was a bittersweet for me. Bitter because a calamity caused this country a tragedy. I cried hearing stories of loss, isolation, and struggle. Everything washed away by a 9-hour storm rain which is equivalent to a month of rain.
Sweet. Somehow, there's a little darkness inside me that beams through. I admit that I live luckier than the rest up north. I remember those Laguna MT interns and how Ondoy practically kissed their a$$e$ for the irony. I think it served them right and they oughtta go back to their provinces where the grass is literally greener and the air is technically fresher.
I know it's not right. I dunno why I have a little evil in me.
My primary concern though were the pets and animals. Somehow, the reports are really minor when it comes to them and I really hate it.
Pepeng has now overstayed in northern Luzon because of Quedan and more places have been flooded gravely while landslides occur almost in every major roads. All that happening while me and my family just drank tequila for 2 birthdays. Yes, I feel luckier here down south.
I'm not saying we didn't help. Of course we did. And the help is coming in great numbers for them too. But don't you think they oughtta help themselves too? I'm just looking at both sides of the coin. I just hope the victims don't get whiny and get the special treatment way over their heads.
There are still stories of loss I hear for the victims of Ondoy, and yes I feel for them. It's tragic, but we oughtta learn from this tragedy--and that is to rise up again and never give up.
Intern: But you know, if the whole Philippines would be flooded, I think Metro Manila will survive.
More Interns: (laugh) I think so too.
Me: (nods) But do you know that Davao City has never been hit by storms and typhoons? (smiles)
Intern: Really?
Now, I just smiled whenever I think about that of how surreal that was. And now, the whole Metro Manila is in flood from Ondoy's rain with streets filled with trash and mud. It was a bittersweet for me. Bitter because a calamity caused this country a tragedy. I cried hearing stories of loss, isolation, and struggle. Everything washed away by a 9-hour storm rain which is equivalent to a month of rain.
Sweet. Somehow, there's a little darkness inside me that beams through. I admit that I live luckier than the rest up north. I remember those Laguna MT interns and how Ondoy practically kissed their a$$e$ for the irony. I think it served them right and they oughtta go back to their provinces where the grass is literally greener and the air is technically fresher.
I know it's not right. I dunno why I have a little evil in me.
My primary concern though were the pets and animals. Somehow, the reports are really minor when it comes to them and I really hate it.
Pepeng has now overstayed in northern Luzon because of Quedan and more places have been flooded gravely while landslides occur almost in every major roads. All that happening while me and my family just drank tequila for 2 birthdays. Yes, I feel luckier here down south.
I'm not saying we didn't help. Of course we did. And the help is coming in great numbers for them too. But don't you think they oughtta help themselves too? I'm just looking at both sides of the coin. I just hope the victims don't get whiny and get the special treatment way over their heads.
There are still stories of loss I hear for the victims of Ondoy, and yes I feel for them. It's tragic, but we oughtta learn from this tragedy--and that is to rise up again and never give up.
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