Typhoon Haiyan A.K.A. Yolanda Update On Capiz

Finally, I was able to reach to my mom and dad yesterday. Thank God they are okay. My mom told me that part of our roof was blown off and it’s flooding inside the house. She’s been having a hard time sleeping at night because of fear that someone will enter our house to steal or harm them. People are hungry. Looting and stealing are starting to rise. I know theft is wrong but I can’t blame them for their desperation. Government Aid in Capiz did not come timely to many especially in isolated rural areas. Children are crying cold and starving at night. Electricity will be down for about 3 months. We had to cut short our conversation because she needs to go with dad to buy kerosene. She said, “It’s only 3 P.M. but it’s already getting dark.” She also added, “It was the worst typhoon in Capiz history. We thought it was the end of the world.” I felt helpless. I wish there was something I could say to make it better although I have a feeling, at that moment, she simply wanted to express all the bottled fear and uncertainty in her heart.

Roxas City is surrounded by water. If not the sea along the coast, it is full of fish ponds and rice fields. Flooding through the years cost so much pain but nothing compared to the recent Typhoon Yolanda A.K.A. Haiyan. Everyone who survived it thought it was “the end of the world.” For those who tragically perish, it was. For those who are still fighting to live, we all are part of their hope and prayers.

The local seminary. All roof tops  gone in a few hours. It stood on top of the hill for so many years and inspired hundreds of men to serve God and his children.

A local church in Capiz. The day the super storm hit the Philippines, nothing was spared. No where was an assurance of safety. Faith, hope, prayers and each other were all they had. When it was over, everything was in ruins but it was also a time they realized so many people the world over were praying with them at a time the typhoon hammered the country. Generous support and prayers hasn’t stop since them. Kind- hearted men and women gave them hope that things will be better. Will get better.

My sister and I are gathering our resources to send whatever help we can. My mom told me before we ended our phone conversation, “The fixing of the roof and other damages will cost a lot. We don’t know where to begin. We don’t have much resources and we can only fix one section of the house at a time. We heard there’s another typhoon coming. I’m scared.” I wish I was there to be with her and my dad during this very difficult time. For now, I will try to help them in whatever way I can. To continue praying that they will be safe, healthy and have the means to sustain the hard days ahead.

My sister and her husband in Norwalk Connecticut are raising funds for those who lost pretty much everything in Capiz as well as the local seminary that inspired hundreds of young men to follow God’s path to serve his children on Earth.

I saw this picture in my relative’s Facebook page several times. It thought it was somebody’s backyard. Then this morning, I thought, “That fallen star and Capiz shells around the Mango tree looked so familiar. It was the very tree that used to stand beautifully in front of our family balcony. Every time me and my siblings went home, my mom would turn on the lights which made us feel like it’s Christmas time even if it’s in the middle of hot Summer. It was part of the many celebrations from the Sunday all day food Fiesta to graduations, anniversaries and yes, Birthdays. My sister in California called me this morning, I saw the fallen Mango tree on Facebook, I can’t believe something that big fell down to the ground. We both know that when we go home next time, so many things will change. I told her, “I feel sad that it fell. So much memories that will be lost.” She simply said, “It’s okay, we can plant a new one and start fresh.” She was right.

For so many in Capiz, there is no house to go back to.

Everyone I know here in America, especially in Houston  who has a family in Roxas and Capiz are also experiencing a similar fear and concern. It is a dark time for my town and it’s people but knowing everyone is trying to help and reach out gives us a feeling of comfort and relief. There is hope. There is light to guide our way back to recovery. I know it is not easy but as one family and one global community, I believe in time, every prayer will be heard. That a piece of joy will come just in time for Christmas.

Aerial view of what it looks like around the countryside and rural farm lands. Some needed to be reached by small wooden boats called “Banca.” Roads looked like they were part of a lake or sea.

Capiz, Tacloban and other places devastated by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda will rise again because the world over, there are men and women whose hearts are truly generous and caring. Whose support and prayers echoes throughout the four corners of the globe. Because of them and all Filipinos working together, this darkness will come to pass and light will prevail once more.

There are so many ways to help. CNN and other news station shared many links of agencies that are currently helping the victims of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. Each one can be an angel and a hero to these little ones who are continually praying, waiting, hoping, believing.

I joined a co-worker in a fundraising effort to support ShelterBox, providing emergency shelter with basic disaster response tools which is badly needed in the wake of this horrific event. For all my WordPress family who wish to help provide a roof for the many homeless and orphaned by Typhoon Haiyan here’s my link Team ShelterBox Campaign – Support Mr. B ” Island Traveler “. Please check out this YouTube video called ShelterBox: Responding To Typhoon Haiyan for an overview of what this amazing project is all about. ShelterBox responds to all calamities worldwide with boxes ready to deploy internationally.

This weekend, my family and I will do a fundraising at my son’s Soccer community for my town in Capiz for immediate needs like food and water. We’ll be selling chocolates, cookies, coffee and juices. My son will share his toys and personalized Lego creations to help out raise more donations. He hopes to bring a piece of joy to all children like him in the Philippines. I am both anxious and excited. It’s my first. It’s our first. I am happy though that my family is all eager to support me on this.

On behalf of all Filipinos, I thank you all for your prayers, thoughtfulness and generosity. For the many countries and individuals who helped the Philippines faced it’s most terrifying tragedy, thank you so much. For the social media and news agencies who constantly keep everyone informed and updated, who speaks for those whose cries can not be heard, thank you. For the men and women who are part of the many agencies trying to help in whatever way they can, thank you. God bless you all.

  My sister reminded me yesterday of something I used to hear growing up, “When you give generously to God and his children, he gives back not just ten fold but a hundred fold. Whether in kind or other forms of blessing like good health, inner peace, love, happiness or unity among your family, God gives back more than you can imagine.” I was quiet for a second, sinking it all in. Then I replied, “So true sis, thanks for helping me remember.”

Thank you to all my blogger family who thought about me, my family and of the country I will always call home, the Philippines.

One thing that I can’t stand and most often had me teary eyed is seeing children hungry, crying, lost, sick, orphaned, giving up on a bright future that every child in this planet should have. Must have. A friend posted this in Capiz. She and her family are currently very active helping out. God bless them and all the likes of them who responds generously during times of crisis and calamities. God has long since sent his angels on Earth. We can see them working everywhere right now tirelessly, selflessly, with all genuine kindness in their hearts.

I apologize if my response to your comments are bit delayed. I will catch up as soon as I can. For now, time to call mom and dad. I will sure share with them the well wishes and prayers you all offered for them. God bless…

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