We’ve been hearing the chopper going back + forth up in the air. I have heard from the news a couple of days ago that one of the rescue operations choppers take flight + land at the Bulacan Sports Complex not far away from where we are.

Back in the days, I would hear + watch heart-breaking tales of lost homes + properties, + sometimes even loved ones, in the news, after a very strong typhoon. Nowadays, it makes these tales more heart-breaking as I see fellow Bulakeños wading through chest-high flood waters, telling nightmarish stories of what they have been through after typhoon Pedring, with the strength of 194 km/h wreaked havoc in our province + the neighboring provinces here in Central Luzon. Jared + I have been glued to the TV watching the news + checking out the latest situation.

My heart goes out to people recounting how they’d took watch as the water simultaneously swallowed their properties + the rest of their barrios. Some even refused to leave their homes, the only treasure they own, + took refuge in their roofs lifting all their worldly possessions there + somehow struggling to go through the daily grind in the midst of this adversity. Then again, there were some who simply cannot live safely in their homes + were forced to take temporary shelter in makeshift evacuation centers set up in schools or gyms or municipal halls nearest to their places.

Even my ditse {the only sibling my mum left} + her family were not spared from the wrath of Pedring. During the height of the typhoon’s attack in our province, she + her family were evacuated to the nearest evacuation center {which happens to be the San Pedro High School in Hagonoy, not too far from where they live} as the chest-high water came flooding their home. I hope we can visit them when the flood water abates soon.

I finally managed to reach my cousin, Jessie, who is in the evacuation center with my ditse {together with her 2 children, Joyce + Jacob} + as I hear her recount their nigthmarish experience, it made my own concerns about the typhoon seemed petty + childish even. Since, while I was worrying that the rain would flood our room in the second floor because of the water that is blown in by the strong gusts of wind from the balcony, + while I was worrying that it might soak our bed + the other stuffs we have in the room {which we’ve just recently arranged since we’ve just moved here a week ago} + while I was fearing the flood may come to our place, too, some people are actually fleeing their houses, with all their belongings washed out or soaked beyond use, which are flooded through the ceiling at the same moment.

A few days since Pedring {internationally named Nesat} came, another typhoon was announced to have entered the Philippine area of responsibility, slated to devastate the Central Luzon area even further. That night, I fervently prayed that this second storm spared my province + the neighboring areas. I prayed for the safety of the  people in the affected areas. I prayed harder than I have every prayed in a while. + I guess a lot of people did the same + the ALL listened as typhoon Quiel {even if he brought a great amount of rain in other areas, too} had been kinder + left the country with minimal damage.

A week after Pedring came to our lands, an aerial view of our province + Pampanga will show you that a lot of areas are still flooded + people are still staying in the evacuation areas as water stays in place + seem to be going nowhere, while some other continue to live daily in their rooftops for fear of leaving their homes.

Yesterday, our President, P-noy, together with some of his cabinet member toured around Tarlac, Pampanga + Bulacan. He was able to see first-hand the scope of devastation + damage that Pedring left these areas. They had a meeting at the Hiyas Convention Center in Malolos + discussed about the on-going relief operations + plans on bringing in portable toilets for people to use in the evacuation centers, as well as discuss about immediate plan of action to alleviate + hopefully prevent this tragedy from reaching our lands again.

I commend the government agencies + officials for staying on top of the situation + providing help {that include rescue operations, medical mission + relief distribution} where they are most needed. Help from a lot of organizations, like the ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya,  GMA-Kapuso Foundation + World Vision, among others also continues to come in + I can only say thank you that a lot of people are trying to help in any way they can.

I know for sure that Bulakeños are resilient + persevering people + I know, too, that no matter how big the trials are, or how high the flood waters might be, we will all breeze through it together successfully.

+ as i sit here now in the company of my computer, in the warmth + comfort of my own home, whilst watching my little man sleeping soundly, thankful that I get to enjoy the simplest pleasures that I am used to + grateful that once-upon-a-time my parents chose this particular town to settle in with their big family,  i also say a prayer for all the people who were affected by this calamity, that may they find comfort even in the most uncomfortable place they are in right now, may they find joy to be grateful that they are alive + may they find comfort knowing that they are never alone…

If you’ve got some cash to spare {no amount is too little} or if you’ve got old clothes + stuff {like blankets or towels or shoes + slippers} that you no longer use, may you find it in your heart to share it with people that need them the most. You may reach the following to know more of how you can help victims of  typhoons Pedring + Quiel:

• World Vision – you can send your donations to 389 Quezon Ave, corner West 6th street, West Triangle, Quezon City.you can call them at {02}372-777 or you can check out their account details here
• Gawad Kalinga – you can call them at  09164379941 or drop them off your donations to their headquarters, #212 Haig st., Brgy. Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City
• Philippine Red Cross– you can email them at fundgeneration@redcross.org.ph or call Hotline 143 or {02}527.000. You can also send your donations thru SMS. Simply follow these instructions: Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart). For G-Cash donations, simply text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882 or check out the details of their account details here
• ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.Sagip Kapamilya –  you can call {02}411-4995 or {02)415-2272 loc 3765 or bring your donations to Mother Ignacia Avenue corner E. Lopez St. Brgy. South Triangle, QC, or check out their account details here.
• GMA Kapuso Foundation – you can call {02} 982.7777 loc. 9901 / 9904 / 9905 or bring your donations to 2nd Floor GMA Kapuso Center, GMA Network Drive cor. Samar Street, Diliman, Quezon City. You can also check out the details of their account details here or bring your donations to any Cebuana Lhuillier branches nationwide
• Bulacan Photography Club – you can contact Junel Gregorio at 0922-828-0338/0915-979-4943 {for those living in Bulacan}