What happens now and the year next?
2013 without any implications on the last digits of this year "13" which is said to be unlucky is standing out to its reputation as such for some of "us" in Southeast Asia.
The Philippines experienced a lot of disasters, calamities, political grievances, and crimes throughout the year. The coldest, nerve wracking experience came October 15, around 8:12 am when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit central Visayas, it enveloped the regions with so much fear for their lives and the lives of everyone around them. the devastation was so great that it did not only destroy structures or buildings but hit the morale, culture and national heritage of the Filipinos. Many, cry for the lost lives, hard earned homes and livelihood, historic century-old churches of Baclayon, Loboc,Loay, Loon, Maribojoc, Dauis etc. all in Bohol, being the quake's epicenter raged the most damage, even the belfry of Cebu's Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino loses its ground and gave way to the tremors of the land.
November 8, 2013, super typhoon Yolanda(international code "Haiyan") hit the Philippines, mostly again to the central Visayas region pouring heavy rains and strong winds. The storm surge has left over 6000 people dead, billions worth of damage and a government whose status has been strongly scrutinized for slow disaster control, relief efforts, and politicized local unit aids.
Many would call the sight as "heartbreaking" but for us who experienced all these is "nightmare".
Our hearts are left broken for our brothers and sisters in Samar, Leyte and the whole visayas who stood the test of time. Those who survived and lived to witness these calamities have so much to be thankful for the constant reminder of man's vulnerability against the wrath of nature. Super typhoon Haiyan maybe the strongest ever recorded in 2013, but the Filipinos are far stronger than any of these. For the lost lives, they are modern heroes and will be remembered for the rest of our time on Earth. The world join hands together in helping the Philippines get back on its feet.
Many find it hard to celebrate Christmas, but the concern and help coming from different agencies, local and foreign has turned sorrow into "HOPE"
2014 is a ray of light because we see that peoples around the world never leave each other in times of need.
Proven and tested, it's Christmastime for everyone after all.
No comments:
Post a Comment