Le Deluge

It's probably one of the most tragic events in the history of my hometown Iligan. We normally don't get affected by typhoons and other natural calamities. We used to take pride in that. But now, I guess we'd have to be proud of something else. Because of the tragedy, many people have lost properties. Others have suffered a fate far worse -- they've lost loved ones.

I don't mean this as an insult to other people's misery, but I am just relieved that my family and the people I know are safe. Living a half hour away from the city finally had its advantage. I used to complain about it when I was still schooling. The distance was one of the reasons why I was always late and/or missed anything fun because when it's already nearing midnight, transportation becomes a rarity.

Nobody expected this to happen. Demanding others to take responsibility for bad things that happen to us is humanly easy. That's what we all get for embracing democracy so much. The essence of a democracy is that we elect a particular set of people so that we'd have a whole bunch of persons to aim our blame at. On the other hand, putting the blame on them is justified on some level because these folks are eager to earn money out of it. It's an occupational hazard, like drinking lots of alcohol with a client to close a deal, or getting syphilis 'coz you're somebody who works at a street corner.

One thing worth being celebrated amidst all the destruction and finger pointing is the fact that there still exists people who have initiative. Many rushed out to evacuation centers to offer help. It's a touching scene. Of course there are others who are faking it; merely joining the bandwagon because most of the youth are doing it, and because it's a good thing to brag about in their recent Facebook statuses. [Remember what happened during the recent halalan? The whole concept of the youth taking part in the election and guarding the ballots became such a fad and was too commercialized (they sold shirts and bracelets and stuff). Everybody was feigning nationalism.] And there are some who extend help because they subtly or subconsciously want others to know how able and powerful they are -- "show-offs" is an abrasive term for them. These are the people who unconsciously make it clear that altruism truly isn't real.

But regardless of that fact (that the people helping those in need are not really doing it out of the goodness of their hearts), the bottom line is that the victims are being given aid. And that's what's important right now. The effects of people's motives are something to be worried about in the days or weeks to come. And we've always been good at dealing with that.

For now, with or without ulterior motives, let us help the victims of Bagyong Sendong. Help help Iligan and CDO. Here's how.