Philippine Typhoon Wrecked Havoc (originally written by Rev. Nanding Paunil)

[Joseph Ricohermoso]

ONDOY AFTERMATH

Tropical storm Ondoy (international code name Ketsana) that hit the Philippines Saturday (26 September) brought 85-100 kph of gustiness and 455 millimeters (or more than a month's amount) of rain in just 24 hours, which caused flooding in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. As of 29 September 240 (and counting) were killed because of the storm, 32 were missing, and more than 400,000 were displaced.

The affected areas are Metro Manila, the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Bulacan, Quezon, Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley. An initial estimate of damage on infrastructure is P400M, and P820M on agriculture. The worst hit by flooding is Metro Manila, with 80 percent submerged in water on Saturday and Sunday. Thousands from Quezon City, Marikina, Cainta, Montalban and San Mateo are now staying in evacuation centers – suffering without food, drinking water and electricity.

The flood in Metro Manila was the worst in four decades and it spared neither rich nor poor. Many of the flooded areas are middle class villages like Provident in Marikina, Greenheights in Cainta and Northview in Quezon City. People stayed for hours on their rooftops to stay alive. While rescuers came late due to of lack of rescue facilities and poor coordination of the Philippine Navy and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

Pray for the:

1. Relief goods

a. May there be provisions for basic needs such as instant food, clean water, warm clothes, and sanitation

b. May the appropriate goods be delivered and distributed equally and immediately to the victims of the typhoon

c. May there be cooperation and no competition among the relief agencies and institutions as they deliver assistance to the victims; may they not take advantage of this situation for their media mileage


2. Disaster response

a. May the victims receive proper rehabilitation assistance and trauma counseling

b. May the makeshift evacuation centers provide warm and safe shelters for the victims

c. May the Department of Health (DOH) be able to care for the

d. calamity victims by providing sufficient medical assistance to avoid disease outbreaks in evacuation centers

e. May the water and power services be restored immediately to alleviate the suffering in the affected areas

f. May each Filipino be kind enough to accommodate their loved ones, friends, and neighbors who lost their homes and livelihood to the typhoon so that they will not have to stay in clogged evacuation centers


3. Government agencies

a. May they (NDCC, DOH, etc.) be able to deliver immediate and proper assistance to the victims of the calamity

b. May our leaders be able to set aside their political interests and extend genuine help to our countrymen

c. May the government prudently distribute the foreign and private aid sent to the country in response to the calamity

d. May the government be able to strictly implement the price ceilings set during this time of need; may the traders not take advantage of the vulnerability of our fellowmen and retain normal commodity prices


4. Environmental warnings

a. May we learn from what has happened, and start caring for our environment

b. May the Filipino people finally learn to properly dispose their garbage, and be concerned about preserving and propagating plant trees to avoid disasters such as this to happen again


5. Brewing storm

a. May the brewing storms east of the country dissolve and not bring further rains to the flooded areas

b. May we (the people and the government) find ourselves prepared to face trials such as this in the future


Personality Focus

Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)

He completed his Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Financial Institutions degree in 1985. In 1989, he completed his Law studies at the University of the Philippines where he was awarded the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence. In the same year, he topped the Philippine Bar exams. His involvement in government service include Sangguniang Kabataan Panlalawigan Council member, and District Representative of Tarlac.

Pray that...
1. he will be able to manage the situation properly and with foresight
2. he will be able to properly distribute relief and rescue operations in all the affected areas; that no victim will feel left out and that they will all at least be reached on time
3. he will be able to separate political interests from sincere delivery of service to the people during this time of calamity
4. he will be able to encourage more support from the private and foreign institutions to assist in relief and rehabilitation drives

[Cecille]

Many Thanks for this "well-cited" prayer request for all of the aftermath effect of typhoon in the Philippines. As of this week another storm hit Northern part of the Philippines and we are all been so thankful that amidst of all this calamities our trust in God gives us more hope that after the storm ..rainbow and sunshine may occurs eventually.

Whenever I see a rainbow in the sky it reminds me of God's promise to man. That never again will He destroy the world like it was.
Did you ever wonder what a rainbow was made of? ...It is made of light. In fact, it is made of seven colors of light. It only occurs when it rains. The light of the sun shines through the rain, causing the light to bend (or refract) and reflect off the rain. The rain acts like a prism, splitting the white light into the colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (deep blue), and violet (purple).They always stay in the same order, because the frequency is from low to high. It always forms an arch. It is very orderly and dependable as it shows consistency for everybody to see after every rain.
But before we see the rainbow it has to rain first... and battering storm...
The world experience variable storms and weather disturbances every year. The thought of an imminent storm can cause fear to many as extreme cases put many people homeless if not half of their house are submerged in water. In some cases may even take many lives to those who were caught unprepared.

Like the physical storm we encounter , Life too has its storms. Life's storms are not different from the physical storms. The first encounter makes a man's faith shaken like the strong winds that cause our windows and doors to tremble. Those who are weak tends to surrender and lose hope like a strong typhoon putting a house down leaving it completely wrecked and un repairable.
Life's storms are as devastating to man's life just like all the physical storms we know. But is there a way to survive?

When I first read St. Mark's gospel about " Jesus Calms the Storm "My faith in God began to grow as the event automatically makes Him my super hero. I can imagine the apostles' reaction as they witness deliverance from an imminent death. Then Jesus said : " Why are you afraid ? How is it that you have no faith? " Most of us fall in this kind of situation. We knew that that He is in our boat and yet we tremble in fear and unbelieving.
In my personal experience of life's storms , I have to confess that most of the time I tremble in fear. I dont know how weak I could be that I wish I were at home with my family.Tears flow unwillingly as It seems the rainbow is still far ahead to see.
It devastated my soul. Maybe because I have seen many failures along the way.There is a quote that answers the question in my mind. It says : " The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears. " ~ John Vance Cheney
I began to understand that tears are as important to our growth as the rain is to a flower. They help release the pressure of sadness so we can feel better.
After our tears, our inner sunshines, and rainbows are formed from our pain.
Yes ...it did came. Like the rainbow seen after the rain , I began to see a new beginning. A new hope and a life to start again. And the rainbow after the storm is like a Gods promises to look forward to.
Keep praying for the rainbow after the storm everyone! Keep holding on .. in our Lords Jesus Promises.