From Nidj Jorda: The most memorable experience Ive had so far was getting caught up in that freaking storm surge. Our house was situated near the sea. We lived in Tanauan, a place used to storms. At that time we didnt quite worry about what would happen to us. I was staying in the sala with my dad and my uncle waiting for the storm to pass. My grandpa was staying in his room with my uncle next to the stairs. The rest of the family were staying in a room close by praying the rosary. We who were in the sala were out there to prepare just in case anything went wrong, which of course happened. We didnt have time to be surprised when suddenly the retaining wall in our backyard (which was facing the sea) exploded, with thousands of gallons of water heading towards us. Our sliding door gave in, and the water came rushing in our house. The water was already up to my knees when I went in the room to warn the others. We had to pull each other up, including my grandma who was infirm, and my aunt with her baby. The water was so fast that by the time I went out of the room my feet no longer touched the floor. Trying not to panic, we swam all the way to the stairs (which was quite far from the room) stepping on anything to keep our heads above the water, including the TV. Once we got to the stairs we climbed up to the second floor (which no longer had a roof) but dodging the flying debris we leaned against a sturdy wall (and one of the only few walls left standing, by the way) and watched from the window nearby how the surge took out everything; I saw my neighbors rooftop caught up in the flood, as well as cars and entire trees. The surge lasted for hours, but it felt like centuries. And things didnt get any less creepier when the water receded; I could hear screams and cries from the street. I saw men scouring through the debris looking for anything they can still use. My mom took out dry clothes to keep everyone warm, especially the baby and the three elderly who were prone to hypothermia. Eventually we went down and checked the wreckage; there was a huge log in the middle of our sala, and our sofas and dining tables ended up outside in the street. We looked for anything we could eat and miraculously, the refrigerator held enough that could last us for days. But if things werent any easy during the storm, the days after werent that fine either. Dead bodies piled up in the streets. People waited for relief goods THAT NEVER CAME. We lined up for hours to buy groceries from the only open store in town. Many were not able to control themselves and started looting stores. We struggled to find drinking water, relying only on what the nearby Pepsi Cola plant (which was beside our house) could offer. Finally my mom and uncle decided they needed to contact help from outside Leyte. So they left bound for any place where they could contact. Meanwhile we continued cleaning up our house. A few of our relatives and friends came to check on us, and they gave us some provisions. Then one night Aunties baby got sick, and we decided we had to leave for Cebu. Besides, the dead were starting to cover up the entire place with stench. So with the help of some neighbors we were able to get out, me with my aunt, my uncle and their child first, next the rest of my family. We rode my neighbors truck all the way to Ormoc via Baybay, and we were able to survey the destruction; The towns of Dulag and Tolasa were a complete mess, and weve heard from mom and uncle about Tacloban and the anarchy brewing up in there. We stayed in my uncles place in Ormoc before heading here to Cebu. Now that Im in Cebu I only have more time to worry about my friends back there. Kumusta na kaya hira nga mga taga Guiuan, San Jose, Dulag... Theres just a lot to worry about. But one thing Ive learned from this experience is how precious life is. During the surge we didnt care about the TV, the iPads, laptops or the car, but we held on to each other. And in the midst of the storm I was already thinking Did I make my peace with God? But when we were taking care of each other as a family, helping our neighbors with medicines and food and praying for all the victims of the storm, dead or alive, I knew that this storm has really helped me make my peace. Right now however our place, Tanauan, as well as Tacloban, Palo, Tolosa, Dulag, Guiuan and other towns along the path of Haiyan are BADLY in need of relief goods. Its been days now and only very few relief goods are reaching them. No one can seriously leave the survivors of the worlds strongest storm this year to die only to hunger and thirst. If any of you who read this post could do something about this, please do something. What you see in TV is only the tip of the iceberg. But if you really came here and see what is actually going on, you would really be compelled to help. Thanks and God bless us all. — with Buddy-Jesvy Ang Miscala and 3 others.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 03:21:24 +0000