“I think we have come to realize that we are confronting a catastrophe that is periodic. The Philippines is a monsoon country; floods are bound to happen all the time. But what makes us unprepared is something bigger, it is something social. It’s the issue of poverty; it’s the issue of being overcrowded in the city. And it’s not just an issue for the forecasters of Pagasa to solve; it’s a social issue. It involves the government, it involves us [and] it involves our own sense of sensitivity to poverty and all the other pressing issues. So, while part of the problem is environmental and ecological and part [is] Pagasa’s forecasting, we have to do something alongside of social responsibility.”
Danilo M. Reyes, English Department Assistant Professor
“Nagpapanic. Pati asawa ko nagpapanic, kasi ang bilis ng tubig. Siyempre, hindi kami nakapaghanda pero naakyat na namin mga gamit namin. Hanggang baywang na yung tubig kaya lumikas na kami. Kaso, noong lumikas kami, gabi na kaya wala rin kaming napuntahahan. Pero napagdesisyunan na lang namin na pumunta sa kapitbahay namin kasi may second floor yung bahay niya. Mayroon ring isang pangga na tumawag sa akin kung may kailangan daw ako, kaya sinabi ko na kailangan ko ng mga unan. Tapos si Sir Tenorio, panay ang text na magsabi lang daw ako sa kanya kung may kailangan ako. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa mga pangga dahil nandiyan naman sila para sa akin.”
Alma Fermano, Photocopying Machine Attendant
“It’s a wake up call for everyone—that we have to do something regarding our environment. Not only relying on government officials, but we have to do it individually as well.”
Kathleen Santos, IV BS Mgt
“Malungkot kasi halos lahat kami sa lugar namin apektado. Kahit nasa second floor ako, umabot ang baha sa beywang ko. Sobrang lakas ang agos. Hindi ako nakapasok ilang araw kasi nasugatan ako sa paa at hindi makalakad, baha pa ang daan at walang sasakyan. Mas grabe siya sa Ondoy kasi dati hindi ganoon kalala.”
Lorena Linsasagin, University Dorm Security Guard
“In the recent habagat, I was blessed enough not to be in an affected area, but I have family members who are from Quezon City, and we really needed to get them out, to rescue them. But what I noticed, what is different this time with habagat is that social media was really very much used for alert warnings, and even for calling for rescue as well as for mobilizing help. That is what I see useful with social media nowadays. The habagat was big problem; it was more than just the floods, the rehabilitation, but there should be a change in consciousness on how we manage our garbage and take care of our environment so we can avoid this in the future.”
Cheryl B. Borsoto, Communication Department Instructor
“I really saw the value of bayanihan when the recent habagat disaster struck. Our village was flooded waist-deep but my family was fortunate enough because it was only knee-deep inside the house. That Tuesday when the rain was at its worst, my family, as well as the other neighbors helped each other to get to safety. It’s really a heartwarming experience.”
Pierrei Anneliese B. Pica, II AB Comm
