In Transit
aborda@theguidon.com
No one likes a calamity. Like war, it strips people of their right to live humanely – leaving them without life, without a home, without shelter or food. More than any war however, calamities charge across nations without conscience. And more than any war, calamities hit stronger than any man-made weapon. No country – regardless of any technological advancement – can stand unfazed before them.
Typhoon Frank was one such calamity. And although it was disastrous among various towns and cities, most of its brunt was directed towards the province of Iloilo.
For ten years, I lived in Iloilo city. It was where I grew up. What I remember of it is a far cry from the descriptions or pictures I see now. The awful accounts told by friends and relatives affected by the typhoon all vary in their details. They are, however, similar in their suffering. Friends of friends have died from drowning, relatives have found little food to eat or potable water to drink, houses have been damaged, assets and possessions lost from the flood, crops and other means of livelihood destroyed, businesses lost or suspended, feet decaying, sicknesses surfacing, electricity and other means of transportation lost, cities de-urbanized, and mud-swamped streets scattered with piling and stinking dead bodies – both of man and animal. There are far too many incidents one can cite. And it takes no more than two seconds to realize the sheer dreadfulness of the situation.
I remember how my mom would tell me, “In every adversity there is opportunity,” during my more unfortunate days. I hear the stories now, look at the pictures, and see all kinds of adversity.
Where, here, is the opportunity? Amidst the tragedy brought about by Frank, how do our fellow countrymen get up? Amidst all the death, suffering, and pain, where is the good? Amidst all loss, where is hope? I may not have the answers, but there is that undeniable morsel of truth to having better days after difficult ones.
No one wants a calamity. And no one asked for Frank. But while Frank may have brought the worst, it may have paved way for the good. Despite some Filipinos’ devastating situation, Frank is proof of our better qualities. That while they say we are but a third world country, we are certainly resilient in dreadful circumstances. That while we are forced to think that we breed only corrupt politicians, there are still those who have hearts of gold. That while we aren’t one of the safer and crime-less countries, we are honest in our sentiments of helping, donating, and volunteering. And, that while we are known for being tamad, we are sure quick to respond to the people who are in need.
No doubt Frank was bad, but perhaps he wasn’t all that bad. We all lose perspective at some point, and we all need to be reminded of what we should do and what we should pay attention to. It is not so often we see people adamant in helping others out – what we see more are people living life for the service of self. Frank could have been that reminder. It may not change the lives of those afflicted, but it does give hope.
No one wants a calamity and no one ever will. But if in every adversity there is opportunity, then Frank – while we will always remember it as a calamity – should also be kept in mind for the good it paved way for.
