typhoon weekend

On the last Saturday of last month, oblivious to Ondoy, we followed Audrey’s schedule for her next round of shots. We made our monthly trip to Asian Hospital in Alabang that morning @ 10.

When we got to Magallanes, Jerome and I looked at each other, shrugged, and continued driving into Slex. We took a chance and gambled, braving the “crazy monsoon rain” pelting against Bertha, the old station wagon.

Turns out it was a good decision. Magallanes was one of the places submerged in man-height-deep water. We would’ve been trapped there, had we decided to turn back…flashflood and all.

Bertha is an automatic Volvo, courageously negotiating through a significant amount of thigh high water along SLEX.

Our hearts froze when the car stalled in a pool of knee deep muddy water about 20 meters from the toll gate entering Alabang. We had Audrey with the Yayas at the back, and the rain was remorseless. With a stubborn repetitive “Nonononononoo…” from me, Jerome was able to make faithful Bertha start again.

We knew there was no question of us driving back to Mandaluyong. Fuggedabuddit…We checked into the Condotel beside Asian Hospital. We called our families, made sure everyone’s fine and secure, as we tucked in for the night.

That night, we watched in horror at the devastation Ondoy wreaked.

Some of my coworkers lost pets, cars, another lost parts of his home. But many, remembered the most important thing: those are just things, and gave thanks for their and their family’s safety.

Out of the destruction made by Ondoy, rose heroes. The quick, resolute way many people extended help gives us hope. The Filipino is still innately kind and compassionate. NGO’s and Volunteers quickly got organized.

Nobody pays the government agencies any mind. Everyone just dismisses them as a bunch of…people from the government. Not as effective. Sad, really.

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