I am currently writing this blog while the rain is pouring hard and the wind is blowing on our roof. I decided to write this to distract my anxious self while we’re being hit by the typhoon. Luckily, the supply of electricity hasn't been cut yet and the internet connection is still working.
Since we are in the southern part of Luzon, the concentration of the rain and wind is not that strong compared to those areas near the eye and inner wind band of the tropical cyclone. Despite that, I can’t help but be anxious and worried for those who are greatly affected by it. How’s the situation while I am writing this? Are they safe? Did they evacuate to a safer place? How’s their mental state?
It's such a privilege...
Being in a sturdy house away from danger zones is such a privilege. I am lucky enough that we moved to a higher area where flooding is impossible. There’s also no mountain or higher slope of land nearby that can cause landslides. We are also surrounded by mountainous provinces that can help lessen the great forces of the wind. However, this privilege makes me guilty at some point. I can’t deny that while I am enjoying these benefits, there’s someone who is struggling with their situation. No one deserves to suffer.
The Aftermath
As the typhoon moves away from the land and the light starts to touch our soils, we will see the devastating effect of the natural calamity — the farmlands and crops that were destroyed by strong winds, dismantled houses, uprooted trees, fallen electric lines, and unfortunately, casualties. These are the typical scenes after a strong typhoon hit the country, and it’s so painful to see. Although we want to help all of them, due to our financial limits, we can’t. This is where we seek the higher-ups for assistance, asking them to do something to alleviate the situation. Because why not? We all pay taxes, and even a child who buys candy also pays and knowing that the government has the obligation to use the money they have collected on helping the people. Another thing is they are public servants, and we elected them.
The Toxic Positivity
I am expecting the toxic positivity that will spread on social media for the next few days.
"You shouldn’t feel sad because, on the other hand, you’re lucky that you’re alive."
"You can do it because Filipinos are resilient."
Basically, toxic positivity is the idea that people should keep a positive attitude no matter how dreadful or challenging a circumstance is. You can read more here
Just to share, I am not being negative here, but for me, the resiliency of Filipinos is the result of the poor management of the government to lessen the damage and suffering of the people. We got used to the condition where we don’t receive enough help or assistance, leaving us with no choice but to act and suffer on our own. It had already reached the point that our resiliency was getting abused, disregarding the main and underlying problem.
Uplifting, on the other hand, is different from toxic positivity. Here we acknowledge the problem and then help them by raising their morale to fight those battles.
How we can be better for the next calamity?
I wish sooner or later the government will invest in climate-proof infrastructure that will lessen the risks people will face, especially for those who are often affected by tropical cyclones. I remember what Atty. Robredo said, that we should build better instead of building again and again. According to her, we can save a lot of money in the long term if we do this. The higher-ups should consider relocating those people who live near coastal areas, or just build a strong and sturdy evacuation center so they can have a safe place to take shelter when a typhoon comes. The alert system should also be reassessed to see if it is effective or not in helping the public be informed about the incoming threat. While the disaster response should be improved to be more effective in helping the people in need,
These are just the thoughts that always pop into my head every time I see our repetitive situation when a typhoon comes. I am starting to get used to it, and it's scary because I might ignore and invalidate the feelings of those affected. Anyway, sorry for the chaotic organization of thoughts. I can’t help myself but share my opinions, or else I am not going to sleep peacefully, lol.
We are lucky that we lived in a high-ground place like Cavite. Thus, how fortunate that our houses are sturdy and can receive and stand on the Super Typhoon. I feel your sincere concern for our fellow Filipinos and that's good. But I think do not overthink much about it since they know what to do in a time like this.
Rebuilding stronger, better, and sturdier evacuation centers are a good plan. I see nothing wrong with it. However, the problem still exist which is the houses of these evacuees. Poor families who live near the shore, dams, and rivers, and are prone to floods cannot escape. It's sad that some will really lose a home afterward.
Love your sentiments about the typhoon, @cli4d. Good heart with a good soul!
!PIZZA
Yeah, that's unfortunate for those people who live in a danger zone. I understand why they chose to live there because most of the time that's where they make living. However, I also believed that in the constant effort of the authorities, people might choose a safer location. Maybe it's a better facility where they can store their equipment or a better and more accessible road where they can travel faster from their home to their workplace. Just my two cents hahaha
I think when you mentioned the safer location, it means something a greater and safe haven for them. On the contrary, there are no available spaces right now. The more we give space for those people, the more we lose the land for farming since that's where they will get the land. Will you go for it?
Housing is now more sustainable compared back then. With a small space, we can expand upwards. For instance, we can build condo types of housing like we have seen in the mass housing in Manila. I believed people in danger zones don't have hundreds of thousands in population. They are just a few.
I hope people who are affected by the typhoon are safe and able to take shelter. I truly recognize the fear of being hit by calamities like these. Just last year, we experienced Odette as well. It's just as traumatic and thinking about it makes a hole in my heart. Be safe, @cli4d!
There are a lot of toxic positivity posts going around in times like this and many aren't even aware that mere assurance of words won't just lessen the devastating occurrence of Typhoon Karding. Resiliency doesn't mean we could go on and survive each time we experience a calamity.
Although I don't know about the current president, he seems to enjoy his vlogging escapades. 🤷♀️
The president seems to enjoy his power and "money" kaya dedma muna sya sa mga Pilipino, eme hahaha. Pagbigyan nalang natin kasi nagyon lang ulit nakabalik sa New York. Binan ba naman sila for so many years 🤣
I already saw some tweets and post about toxic positivity and romanticizing resiliency. Filipinos deserve better, not needing the toxic positivity and so called resiliency.
I'm glad you're safe. I also experienced having strong typhoons in Cavite,like Ondoy (afair), and we're safe, also lucky to be not on the flood prone communities. Southern Luzon and Metro Manila is fortunate to be protected by Sierra Madre, and this mountain range should be protected too.
I strongly agree when you said that the Sierra Madre mountain range should be protected too! This natural barrier protects us every time there's a typhoon so its time na tayo naman yung magprotekta sa kanya.
#NoToKaliwaDam
Very disappointed with this fact dahil kawawa talaga ang mga lugar na laging natatamaan ng bagyo, i can say that because naranasan ko ang malakas na bagyunang dahil dun may baha so we need to evacuate and that real life situation is not easy. Kahit sino na naka experience masasabi talagang hindi madali, we hope that the government will do everything they can just to lessen this kind of problem, but since we all knew that even the government cannot solve the problem itself how much more when it comes to calamities. Sad reality but our government was supposed to be the one to help us, but it looks like the government needs us to help them
Napaisip po ako dito sa sinabi nyo. May point. Pero we're already helping them kasi we are resourceful sa mga bagay-bagay. Nagagawan natin ng paraan. Pero siguro what I emphasize is government is more capable than us, at nasa kanila yung resources. Tsaka yun nga medyo naaabuso tayo kasi akala nila kaya na natin kaya di masyadong inaayos ang tulong
This is so pathetic, reading this has really touched my heart. It is something big to be grateful to God when you don't know anything about natural disasters. Others are out there in pains and homeless. Sir I think the government is not whom your country should rely on now but God. The heart of man is extremely wicked and selfish, those in the upper sides would barely look down to see see what is befalling those on the ground rather they desire to keep going high and higher. It is well with Philippines. God will intervene. It will be nice if you render the little help you can to those around you that were affected by this plague. Big things starts from small. Let those who have help those who do not. Now that there is no known help, it will be better for people to evacuate from places that are not safe and start up new life. It will be hard but it is better. When there is life there is hope. It is going to be fine♥️♥️
Thank you for your opinion sir ❤️. Our country is one of the most religious places in the world and I know that every time we face disasters, we always ask God for assistance and guidance. But for me, the religiousness of people is being exploited by the government and used as toxic positivity.
I and the other affected are doing fine :)). We will get through this
It is going to be over soon, please be safe. ♥️♥️
We will, thank you :))
🥰♥️
This is sad for the places na laging natatamaan nang bagyo, indeed government should help build calamity proof na buildings.. pero with our economic status mahirap laki na nang utang nang Pilipinas. Haayy ang mga local civilians ang laging kawawa.
Medyo nakakasad na parang we need to do this pero di kaya kasi walang budget.
!PIZZA
Sad truth nga, wala talaga budget.. lubog na sa utang Pinas tas satin din kukunin pambayad lalo tataas mga VAT sa bilihin ☹️🤦
I felt dumb early this morning when I wake because that's the only time I nee there a typhoon while watching news over a cup of coffee.
That explained why rain was pouring so hard last night.
Hala, I am glad ur safe ate. Medyo delikado na hindi updated sa news pag may paparating bagyo. Pero taga san ka ba?
Thia one is true Cliff, Cavite is blessed somehow on not experiencing such cruel weather and floods. I remember multiple times when I was young that we need to evacuate as our home's just a few walks away to Laguna de Bay.
About the government, I saw him uploading some videos on his vlog 😂. Since mataas ang palitan ng dolyar sa peso Youtube muna.
Billionaire mindset siya kuya tp kaya need mag-grind. Hindi na nakuntento sa 'ill gotten mindset' ng tatay, jk hahahaha
bwisit yung billionaire mindset na yan. HAHAHA
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