Bayanihan
In just one day, Ondoy brought Manila a month’s worth of rain. With 412mm of rainfall, it surpassed even the wrath of Hurricane Katrina four years ago. Houses were swallowed by floods. Many lives were lost. Yet still the Filipinos remained resilient.
Amongst the many stories of devastation and despair, I heard stories of hope. Of people who risked their lives to save others. Of entire communities that immediately mobilized volunteer groups and sent relief goods to those in need. The invisible, once impenetrable barriers that lay between the levels of our stratified nation broke as rich and poor, famous and ordinary untelevised-folk helped each other — no, are helping each other survive the storm. Today, in the midst of crisis, The Filipinos stand united.
Of course there are those who still cannot shed their own selfish self interest. Certain politicians seem to be using the aftermath as a means to rank up popularity points. However, as much as I find this despicable, help is help and we need all that we can get.
Soon everything will be back to normal. The social barriers will reappear and we shall once again be stratified. But I am sure we will never forget Bagyong Ondoy, the storm that made us all realize that we can work together despite our differences. There is hope for us after all.
