A Call for Help

Since the tragic typhoon hit Philippines a few days back, to say that I’ve been depressed with the news and all is an understatement.  Watching the news and reading the feeds about my kabayans always bring me to tears. 

Im so grateful that my immediate family was spared from Yolanda’s wrath when she passed by my hometown in Mindoro.  For that I say, Im lucky.  We are.  But knowing that millions of my fellow Filipinos were struck the hardest beyond imagination breaks not only my heart but my spirit too.

The tragedy affected families- a lot of them. Losing a house you built for years with your family is never easy.  Knowing that your livelihood will no longer be there to support you financially for the years to come is unbearable.  And if you happen to lose your loved ones altogether in a disaster, wouldn’t that shatter you as a being? And  food, and water.  It has been days since the typhoon subsided but relief hasn’t reached most of them yet.

My heart goes to every mother, sister, daughter, friend, who was out there during the storm surge. I am also a mother to my kids. I am a daughter to my parents and a sister to my siblings. My thoughts are with those who fought for their lives up to their last breath. Salute to those who were able to save a soul in the midst of their own struggle.

But this is not the time that we just hear the news and shrug it off.  It is not enough to be sad for the victims and to always say “kawawa naman sila”.  Yes, we should pray, but we should also help them with whatever we can.  They say we should do our best and God will do the rest.

May this storm bring out the best in each of us, who are more fortunate than the others.  Let us share what we have to our brethren.  They are our kabayans. We are one family. We are thankful for our foreign friends who responded to our calls.  Pero ikaw, Pilipino ka rin- don’t you think it’s time to help?