I used to ask God, “Why do we need to have calamities when You can still the waters?” and He showed me Sodom and Gomorrah where all the lavish pleasures spoiled mankind and made them forget about God. Then He brought my attention to the strength of Noah’s faith that stood firm amid the chiding and scoffing of his neighbors who never believed a flood would reach their land. When the rain fell, drop by drop, to pelts and sleets, their cajoling took a different tune.
In the press conference held by Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the Asian Troubadours, ABS-CBN, and PLDT, we learned from the stalwart anchorman and media executive Mr. Leo Lastimosa that studies on climate change have shown that storms and heavy rains are most likely to take its landfall on the central areas rather than the peripherals. In short, cities and areas which never experienced floods or the wrath of a typhoon will no longer be exempted from the fierce possibilities of a storm. Everyone should prepare and remain vigilant. Emergency preparedness should not be limited only to the branches of government expected to perform the function of social welfare and civil defence. It should be a concern of every home and family.
Keeping safe and being prepared should be treated as a basic ritual like checking the locks on the doors of one’s home everyday. People who live near riverbanks or creeks should be particularly careful and should move to higher ground at the slightest warnings. Homes should no longer be constructed as one storey structures considering the unpredictability of the flood path.
On Saturday, December 24, from 12:00 noon to the afternoon and possibly early evening, a concert will be given by the Asian Troubadours with other volunteer artists who are making a statement of concern and a call to action to help the victims of the torrential storm Sendong in Negros Oriental, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.
The concert will be at the Ayala Activity Center which will also serve as a drop-off point for any form of assistance the community may want to give. All cash donations will be duly acknowledged by the organizers.
The concert will also serve as an awareness campaign to keep the environment protected in order for man to survive.
It is with gratitude that I write this column to the artists, the media and the business organizations who have taken into their hearts to help, serve, and give without prodding or insistent urging. I thank Wilson Ng, who has conceptualized this event and spearheaded the volunteerism among artists. I am grateful to MCCI and its members for their immediate support along with the other chambers all over the country, my gratitude extends to ABS-CBN and the other media outlets who have consistently shown their willingness to be physically part of the whole endeavour, to PLDT whose communication facility has made things easier, and to the Mandaue Jaycees, whose membership has never said NO to ALL our calls for help. To them and to the rest of the Filipinos who now pray for our affected brothers and sisters to rest, reprieve and relief in the caring hands of our God through all these, ONLY GOD SAVES. We must lean on Him.