CANDLE-LIGHT VIGIL

November 8, 2015

Today, to commemorate the 2^nd year anniversary of Super typhoon Yolanda, concerned citizens in Leyte light candles along the national highway from Tacloban City, through Palo town, to Tanauan town, until Tolosa, a city and three towns where most of the dead and missing happened.

It is both a sad and solemn event, since even though it has been two years, but I think those affected would still be mourning for the rest of their lives for the sudden tragic death of their family members and relatives. 

I know how it feels, because I lost a grand-uncle and an uncle too, when the storm surge swept into their house and carried them both away, and their bodies haven’t been found since.  That grand-uncle was one of the best persons I know, one of the funniest, most dedicated professional photographer and passionate Knight of Columbus, who stood by my grandmother’s side after the war when she had to go someplace else with her elders to start a new life after she was rescued by the family and relatives from being kidnapped by a vengeful suitor.  That grand-uncle was one of our closest and most supportive relative who wouldn’t hesitate to crack a joke to make any stranger feel at ease, or render an encouraging word to anybody who feels wronged and down on their luck.

Our neighbour and mom’s kumpadre too, will mourn with his wife for the rest of their lives, for their daughter who died on the spot when their concrete house got so shaken by the 300km winds and all crumpled down crushing her under.  Her husband died three days after from complications due to his injuries since they were both together when their house broke down.  They will forever be remembered most by their orphaned children who are now being raised by our neighbour and his wife.

Almost everybody has lost family members, friends and neighbours, and almost everyone still feels that loss even if at reunions, people eat and drink and tell stories to while away the time.  The stories will always be about the tragedy.  But now, at least, there will be stories of moving on, of lessons learned, and of dreams and hopes for a better tomorrow.

It is sad though that this administration which was built upon the promise and impression of a family name proved itself weak in dealing with crisis.  Even the cabinet member who was sent to oversee the whole disaster preparedness and recovery proved so cowardly and inept that I felt he was shocked into inaction more than the people who were actually struck by the typhoon.  And now he has the gall to run for president?  What will he do when he is in the position he has dreamed of his entire life, believing it to be an entitlement or inheritance from his father who was also a former president?  When the next strong typhoon comes, will he repeat what he did and hide under his bed again?

One can only hope that as the candle-light vigil sought to inspire hope in the people and bring encouragement to those whose spirits were severely crushed by the tragedy, such light will not diminish yet grow stronger as people decide their destiny in May for the next six years.  Life will continue to give us storms much stronger than the ones that have come before.  Have we learned our lessons well, strengthened our hearts and geared ourselves up to brace really hard and to pick up strongly whenever we fall down?