Just when I thought my December would be welcomed with a bang, I was horrified at the report of a super typhoon that would come in the country. "Not again," I thought. You see, Yolanda was a tragic experience for me. I was nuzzled under my sheets while listening to the sound of the wind howl at every minute while my pet cat tried to climb onto my arms. We were both hugging each other until the wind stopped. Power and telephone lines were down and our rechargeable lights were about to hit the red. Soon enough it was pitch black, I had no choice but to sleep hugging my little fur ball.
At the time of Ruby, I was in Negros Oriental based in the city of gentle people. Due to my Yolanda experience, I engaged into "panic-buying" on food and other supplies needed in my little pad. Friday morning when the public storm signal number 1 was raised in this province but the sun was still out. I thought to myself, the storm might not push through. But on the morning of Saturday, the clouds were dark. It seemed like it was doomsday but not a single drop of rain was seen from the sky. Was Ruby having second thought on coming to the country or was she simply taking her time? At past nine, she already made her first landfall in the Eastern border of the country. Uh-oh, she's really heading towards us. On Sunday, I traversed Negros islands towards the northern part to check on the situation.
Everything was normal, so to speak. But the Local Government Units were not complacent. There were no winds and rain in the area but the government evacuated families living in the coastal area and riverbanks without hesitation. Public schools and churches were filled with people while the officials were busy repacking relief goods for the evacuees. It was a good sight to see, everybody was in motion just to prepare for a storm. I even saw an American national who carried sacks of relief goods. He told me that everywhere he goes he has a responsibility to help out. He added that wherever his feet lands, it would be a new place for him to show to the people that we can do something even if we have nothing. Wow, what an awe-inspiring message!
Back when Yolanda hit the country, nobody ever thought of being pro-active because of the complacency that set in. Just because we have experienced storms does not mean we should not be prepared for the worse. Yolanda's response seemed too late, if only we had prepared enough. But I guess we, Filipinos, have learned our lesson. People now know what to buy in the store in case power went out and how to protect their houses from the flood that might seep through their houses. It is a pleasure to see that because of an unforgettable tragedy, our mindset on disaster awareness has now changed. If only we can continue that same mindset in the years to come until the next generation will understand what it means to be prepared.
One thing I have learned from Ruby: It is better to be prepared than sorry.
Looking at the news, there is a different kind of breeze that is taking the country by storm - and that is the importance of disaster preparedness. There is no more panic, so to speak, and everybody took on their role of following orders for their safety. If this kind of attitude will continue, we can save lives and a whole generation. This is the kind of Philippines that I have always dreamed of, and I continue to dream for a better one.