Typhoon Ondoy

Ryan and I were stuck at Junction from 11am Saturday at the 2nd floor of a store in Junction, Cainta up to 5:30am Sunday at an eatery in Park Place Subdivision. For the whole day, we weren’t able to eat anything. Good thing we had 1.5L Gatorade, and I think it actually saved our lives because we didn’t feel the *real hunger*. Both of us don’t have enough cash for anything. I had my coin purse with me and I was hoping my 20-Pesos would get us something to eat, but the store in Junction, who sells food, took advantage of the situation, and had the audacity to double the price of their cooked food! They even sold softdrinks instead of just providing us with drinking water and bread.

They also had an available unit which can serve as a temporary refuge for those of us who were stuck outside, freezing. When they opened the locked unit, we thought that they were actually opening up their hearts and are letting us in, but NO! They had their 5 dogs enter that unit and let them poop & pee inside. After about 2 hours, the owner finally decided to let us in, but Ryan and I decided to just stay outside because the unit smelled of dog poop and pee. The unit doesn’t have proper ventilation, so you can only imagine the smell!

By 9:30pm, we braved the flood towards Valley Golf, but we weren’t able to go past Park Place because the flood-water beyond that point is enough to drown me. We decided to stay at “Tuhog, Tsibog, Busog“ eatery. I actually thought there was food there, but unfortunately, they were affected by the flood, too.

We were wet from the hips down. It was so cold, my teeth were chattering. It was a good thing that I had an extra shirt with me and a thick jacket; and of course, I am so grateful that Ryan was with me. If not for him, I would’ve broken down. It was the longest night of our lives. There came a time when all the stranded vehicles, especially the buses, turned their engines off. The quiet was so eerie. Every time the wind blows, I hugged myself as tight as I can to keep myself from freezing. Ryan, of course, embraced me tightly, too.

The next day, Ryan woke me up and told me that we should try to walk towards Valley Golf, but the water was still chest-deep. A container van (truck) helped us go past Bayanihan Village. I saw a neighbor, also waiting for his friend, and I told him that we haven’t eaten anything yet. He gave us a jar of corn flakes. I have never been so so so happy to see corn flakes in my entire life! I actually embraced it like it was a baby!

We walked from Brookside Hills Subdivision up to Valley Golf, where we saw the remnants of the flood. A lot of vehicles were affected. There were concrete barriers out of place. Thick mud covered the streets, cars and different establishments.

I am very disappointed that no one from the local government helped us. The policemen who came didn’t bring anything with them, except some ropes to help the people cross the raging current of the flood-water. After tying the ropes in place, they even had time to drink coffee! Until the next day, Sunday, a lot of people were still waiting for help, but none came.

This tragedy brought out the best and worst out of people. I wish more people would open up their hearts and help those who are in need.

I am so grateful that Ryan and I survived that horrific event, at the same time, I am saddened by the fact that a lot of my friends were greatly affected…

Material possessions can be replaced, but, the lives of our loved ones… I can’t imagine how it would make anyone feel to lose one.

My prayers to everyone!

{Photos Here}

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