Floods, Heroes, Memories

The Floods

     It was September 26, 2009 when a flood of this magnitude has visited Manila and people blamed typhoon Ondoy for the properties and lives that were lost.  Almost three years later and several days of non-stop raining, Metro Manila is once again submerged in dirty, garbage-infested flood water.

This is the street right outside our apartment in Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City
Second day of southwest monsoon flood / August 8, 2012, 8AM

My brother Jeb and our dog Yassu on the neighbor's roof  in our old address
in Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City / 3rd day after typhoon Ondoy, September 28, 2009

     Typhoon "Gener" (international name: "Saola") barely missed landfall when a Shallow Low Pressure Area (SLPA) was seen approaching the country last Monday, August 6, 2012.  The southwest monsoon (enhanced by tropical storm "Haikui") started its heavy downpour and after more than 20 hours of rain, has surpassed the rainfall recorded by typhoon Ondoy back in 2009^[1].

Still raining and flood water is slowly crawling up our gate / 8:30AM August 8, 2012

Garage is slightly lower than the rest of the compound but don't worry,

the car is safe. / 8:30AM August 8, 2012

The Heroes

     Yes, Philippines is again under siege from nature, the effects of which made even worse by human blunder and irresponsibility.  But while the country's spirit is yet again being tested, we all seem to remain strong and resilient.  And as old heroes respond on these critical times, new heroes are also born and with their help, the country survives and prevails.

     Here are some photos from the President's website^[2] showcasing the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan.  Proof that amidst despair and disaster, there will be those who will give hope, reach out and become heroes.

Photo from here.

Photo from here.

Photo from here.

The Memories

Remembering Ondoy...

     It's almost 11AM, August 8, 2012 and since I can't sleep, I checked some of our photos during the Ondoy flood and realized that the memories of that depressing day is still fresh on my mind.  It was September 26, 2009 and we were sleeping through the day to get ready for the night's work when we woke up at around 4PM to find flood water slowly creeping inside the apartment. 

This is where our dog sleeps.  In about two hours, flood water got knee high.

Water inside the apartment is a bit above the ankle.

Yassu, 8 months old at that time, was very patient and surprisingly cooperative.  He was toilet trained and held in for as long as he can until the first ray of daylight when he was able to unload somewhere dry and appropriate.

Jeb, Yassu and myself.  Stranded last Ondoy flood, September 2009.

     We thought it was fun at first, fully expecting the flood water to subside the next day.  But it did not, so we left three days later.  And so for three days, we were trapped on the muddy, dirty water while we cook and move around.  The neighbors who don't even talk to us offered us their homes so we can sleep somewhere dry.  Our land lord who's living a floor above us refused to take us in because they were afraid of the large dog.  I actually wrote about how Yassu helped us get to know who our friends are and those who just pretends to be.  Here's the LINK to that post.  Do check that out. ☺

= = =

     My friends, it's funny how life finds a way to teach us our ideals and the things we need to know.  And when we refuse to learn its lessons, nature finds a way to teach us until we're educated.  I cannot emphasize enough how strongly we need to do our part in making all these go away.  Proper garbage disposal, waste recycling and all that boring but relevant stuff.  Unless we start doing them and we start influencing others to do the same -- we'll find ourselves in this situation time and again.  Let's all work together, because heroes aren't just needed during disasters or bad times.  Why don't we be heroes everyday?  Let's start by throwing our thrash properly. 

     Thank you all for reading.  You can talk to me on the comments' section below.  Be safe!

References:
[1] - http://www.rappler.com/nation/10004-rainfall-over-metro-surpasses-ondoy-record
[2] - http://president.gov.ph/daang_matuwid/ibat-ibang-mukha-ng-bayanihan/
 MS6EDXEW287M