A rainbow after the storm

I was surprised to see a beautiful rainbow last week after all the sadness, sorrow, despair and discouragement that this beautiful country has gone through. Amidst all the news we continue to receive about Yolanda and its aftermath, a sigh of hopelessness jolted me and I tried my very best to fight that feeling. So when you get a sign from somewhere like a bright and colorful rainbow staring straight back at you from a picturesque green mountain, every thought suddenly changes and happiness sets in. It’s like God was whispering into my ear that hope is out there. Never give up!

Yesterday was my late father, Maximo V. Soliven’s seventh death anniversary. He died on November 24, 2006. He gave his life to our country through his writings. He wrote a column six days a week and never failed to amuse and excite his readers. He also taught us many things about our country and about the world. Several times I would see him sad and would ask him why. He would tell me how frustrated he is since he doesn’t see the country going toward the right direction. He was always disheartened by certain issues but never lost hope.  He told me how writing in newspapers or magazines should be used as an instrument for change. And that we should always remind our people that we only have one country which we must love. 

I have been very tempted to join the bandwagon of cynicism and criticism but I always find myself biting my tongue to stop myself from doing so. I guess it’s not only because I seem to be hearing the voice of my dad in my mind but also because this is just not the right time for that. For the sake of our brothers and sisters who have been victimized by this natural disaster, we need to put all our positive energies together and put them into good use. Let the President and his men do their job, let the Supreme Court put us right back on track making sure the citizens and the government follow the law. Let the citizens work and continue to support the victims in every way they can. Let us not give up because surely in time everything shall fall into place. Just remember that all these events have opened the door to our hearts. It has opened our eyes wide enough to see what should be and what should have been. And in all these trials and challenges not to mention fiascos – the truth will always prevail. Justice should be served at the end of the day.  

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Now let’s have a rundown of data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC).  As of late last week data showed that 4,011 have been reported dead, 18,557 injured and 1,602 remain missing. Majority of 3,310 of the casualties were from the province of Leyte, including 1,060 unidentified bodies from Palo town, 694 from Tacloban City and 675 from Tolosa and Dulag municipalities.

More than nine million people were affected by Yolanda in 574 municipalities and 57 cities. Around four million residents were displaced after the typhoon flattened communities and damaged 648,160 houses. The estimated cost of damage incurred from the wrath of Yolanda was pegged at P12.2 billion.

By the way, the news has focused way too much on Leyte and Tacloban but Quezon Province, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal in Region IV-A also suffered the onslaught of the super typhoon. In MIMAROPA, Coron, a favorite tourist spot in northern Palawan was not spared. There were 12 deaths, 18 injured and 4 missing. Eighty-five percent of the town was damaged. Busuanga, a municipality adjacent to Coron reported three casualties; Cullion island town had five deaths and twelve injured. Calapan City and the Municipality of Baco in Oriental Mindoro also suffered massive destruction.

Masbate, Camarines Sur, Albay, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes and Sorsogon in Region V were not spared either. Northern Iloilo (Region VI – where Yolanda made its fifth landfall) incurred losses worth P10.3 billion: (1) P797 million in the health sector; (2) P567 million on school buildings; (3) agriculture sector, P411 million; (4) infrastructure, P61 million; (5) environment, P19 million and; (6) livelihood, P11 million.

In the hard-hit towns of Carles and Concepcion, 223 people died, 21 still missing. There were 81,851 totally damaged homes; 179 classrooms destroyed and 1,721 barangays were affected.

Capiz where Yolanda made its 6th landfall was declared under a state of calamity. Initial reports showed more than 20,000 families in Dao, Panitan, Pres. Roxas and Sapi-an had been affected. This figure does not include those in Panay, Pontevedra, Pilar, Maayon, Ivisan, Sigma, Mambusao, Dumarao, Dumalag, Jamindan, Tapaz and Cuartero. Ten people died and 30 were injured.

Molocaboc Island in Sagay, Negros Occidental was also badly hit. About 14,291 families in 120 barangays in the province were affected.

In Region VII, the towns of Sta. Fe, Madridejos, Bantayan, Bogo, Medellin and Daanbantayan in Northern Cebu lost all communications as the typhoon lashed with no end. Roads were damaged, flooded or blocked by debris. In Medellin, ninety percent of houses were damaged. Water supply and power were cut off in Bogo and at the height of the storm 6 died, 35 injured and 2 were missing.

Almost all the fishing boats in Bantayan island have been destroyed. In Sta. Fe, chickens which supply the whole province with eggs were butchered to feed the locals. By the way according to news reports, until now the National Government has not reached this part of Northern Cebu. The island has not been visited by P-Noy either. Aside from other private individuals and groups who sent help to this island, Philippine Star’s Operation Damayan brought 2,300 relief packs to the townsfolk of Madridejos, the town worst hit by Yolanda.

Zamboanga, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao Del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Dinagat Islands and Surigao Del Norte were all affected.

Everywhere you look, you see images of destruction, and hear cries of anguish and despair. But amidst the tragedy, that is Yolanda, acts of heroism and solidarity prevail. The spirit of the Filipino people cannot be broken. Remember? After the storm, comes a rainbow!