Reminiscing 2009

2009 is definitely a remarkable year for the Philippines. At the onset of the year, various tragedies and controversies have shattered the lives and hearts of Filipinos. Of course, victorious successes have also inspired every Filipino people. But, as always, at the end of every year, the Filipino people is firmly standing and persistently surviving especially on Christmas season.
For the past 11 months, thousands of lives were lost when ferries were submerged. Millions of properties were destroyed when super typhoons landed in our lands. Precious lives were not also spared by the wrath of the typhoons. Until now, some of the victims are on the process of recovering. With the damaged caused by the typhoons, not only the affected areas were put in difficult situation.
A new month followed and a tragic, obnoxious, intolerable and beyond conscience crime shocked the whole world in the Maguindanao massacre. With the span of hours, the victims were brutally murdered. As the days go by, number of victims continued also to increase. The massacre is really beyond one’s imagination. Martial law has also been declared. However, the search for justice is still slow and difficult.
After few days, the country has again put to test with the eruption of volcano. For most of the year, schools have been converted into an evacuation centers. Education, health, and normal living have been compromised. Now, few days ago, the country is again mourning for the loss of passengers of ship that sunked after being hit by another fishing vessel.
These are merely tragedies that visited the country for the whole year. Embarrassments have also clouded the country through the controversies made by the president and her allies and Hayden Kho. The controversial ZTE scandal can never be erased in the Philippine history because it proves the dirt that politicians and people in power tried to cover. Despite the evidences, truth still remained as lies. With the extravagant yet unnecessary dinner of the president with her allies and husband, the hope and trust of the Filipino people have completely shrunked. Adding the questionable million dollar mansion of the president’s son has even made the situation unbearable. The corrupted power is still whirling and ruling the country.
Merely an accessory, the Hayden Kho scandal may have put the country in shame because of the immorality of some professionals. But then, the scandal has tested the ability of the justice system and the role of woman in the society. Until now, we have to admit that there is no clarity and not all are protected against cyber and other kind of violence.
Most of all, we mourned for the loss of our great president, Cory Aquino. Her death is really memorable as memorable as her contribution to the democracy that we are enjoying today. With her death, we realized the importance of democracy and faith.
Big thanks to Manny Pacquiao and Efren Penaflorida, for reviving hope that sun will shine again on us. Big thanks also to those who sacrificed their lives to save and help the victims of the typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. With the concerted support of every Filipino, we have helped those who lost to have their life back again. No matter how small or big that each has contributed, it has made a difference in reviving the hopes and bringing back the smiles to every victim. This 2009, the experiences of every Filipino is a memory that will live forever. The tragedies and victories will also be continuously shared as it unleashed the heroes within us, Filipinos. Apart from that, surviving these tragedies has proven the resilience of every Filipino and their faith to the Creator. Mabuhay and Pilipino! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Typhoon Ondoy: Who is to be blamed?

In a span of 9 hours, typhoon Ondoy has successfully drowned millions of houses and submerged most of the areas in NCR. The urban cities were transformed into rivers and people were forced to evacuate the residential areas to high places. In that span of 9 hours of raining, lives were lost and thousands of families were displaced. In an eagle’s eye view, Marikina, Rizal, Pasig, Laguna, Quezon City and other parts of Luzon looked like swamped because of the water that engulfed the places. For the time being, many places are still flooded.

Behind fears, nightmares, cries and stress brought by the flood lies the question, “Why did this happen?”
On the process of recovery, the government also asked the same question. The MMDA chairman, the DENR Secretary, and the LLDA has been picking holes against each other. Now, the national government and local government also exchanges fault at each other. Many experts have also shared their opinions. However, despite everything that what these people and agencies told, there is only one clear answer- All of them should be blamed.

It is not beyond one’s knowledge that development has been swift over the years. Mountains have been flatted to make way for housing projects and subdivisions. Farms and agricultural lands were converted into industrial and residential areas. Some of which, actually, have been submerged by typhoon Ondoy. Developments have also been fast along the creeks, bridges, esteros and other natural and artificial resources.

While housing projects and subdivision houses were built in mountains and farms, shanties were also built below the bridges, along the esteros, rivers, and even canals. It has been surprising that thousands of the population has been living a poor life in areas not meant for dwelling. With these developments, pollution of water and land followed. The rivers, canals, esteros and other bodies of water were converted into a garbage pit. Aside from that, greater bodies of water lie bays were covered with land to pave way for another industrial development.

There is nothing wrong with the developments. However, development for betterment and not for betterment only leads to abuse and disaster. On the part of the government, the fault should be pointed to them for they have the power to prevent developments and the people from residing and polluting the natural resources, yet they were heedless and completely ignored the problem. Though there are various environmental laws and plans for developing areas near the rivers, the government was incapable of properly implementing such laws and plans. Why? What was making them busy?

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was completely inutile in protecting and preserving the environment. The rivers and other natural resources were within their jurisdiction, yet, they failed to protect it from abusive people. Why did the DENR failed to prevent people from abusing the natural resources? The local government units, on the other hand, are clearly responsible for the people within their jurisdiction. How come that there are people living a hell life on the places not meant for dwelling. How come that they did not taught of cleaning their areas, especially the rivers, canals, and esteros? People abusing the environment are also at fault for they do not know where to dispose off their garbage. These reasons are merely shallow actually but were too difficult for the government agencies and lgus to address. Usually they reason out that they cannot do it, they cannot do it! Then, they should step down from their sit because they are completely inefficient and lacks the political will in exercising their power. They should be ashamed because they are a failure.

How should be blamed of the disastrous flash flood? All those in the government who used their power for their own good and the Filipino people lacking discipline of loving and caring the environment should be blamed.

I HOPE THAT WITH THE TREMENDOUS EFFECT OF TYPHOON ONDOY, NO ESTEROS, RIVERS, CANALS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER WILL BE FILLED WITH GARBAGE, NO MOUNTAINS WILL BE FLATTENED TO PAVE WAY FOR HOUSES, THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL BE SERIOUS IN IMPLEMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, AND THAT EVERY PERSON ALIVE WILL LEARN HOW TO LOVE AND CARE THE ENVIRONMENT. DENR, WAKE UP!

I feel blessed ^-^

In time of need, unity is an essential factor for survival. This is what I saw after the devastating wrath of typhoon Ondoy. Indeed, many have not recovered yet. But through unity and the passion to help each other, everyone will surely survive.

Yesterday, my friends and I went to Gawad Kalinga, a non-government organization with the purpose of helping those in need. Gawad Kalinga also enforced relief operation for the victims of typhoon Ondoy. It was relieving to see how many fellow lending hands for others. Many fellow volunteered their time and effort in repacking relief goods. Everyone was active in helping. Young and old, poor and rich, prominent and ordinary people were there. Everyone was sweating but no one seems tired after an arduous and continues work. Each one of us there was contributing in making the job easier and faster.

The repacking is also non-stop because the donations coming from different good-hearted people and entities continued to pour. There were boxes and boxes of canned goods, sacks of rice, clothing and support from various people. Hour from hour, trucks of repacked goods are deployed in many affected areas. Despite the tiring job of non-stop repacking, everyone was smiling and happy especially when the in-charge announces how many goods were deployed.

In times of need, you would not really feel the boundary that separates the people. In this society, yes, there are poor and rich, educated and not, but when everyone united for the same purpose, such boundary is erased. As for my experience, it was gratifying to see people happy in helping those in need with no strings attached. For this, I salute everyone who volunteered and donated for the victims of the typhoon Ondoy. Let us keep the sense of unity and generosity for us to survive.