The Super Typhoon Odette landed in the Philippines specifically at Visayas and Mindanao last December 16, 2021 leaving the survivors to deal with its devastating effects. Some lives were lost while many sustained property damages. All who were safe from its rage had to deal with what Odette has left. In Cebu, all power lines were down while water distribution stopped. Citizens were scrambling to obtain their essentials such as food, water, fuel, roofing materials to repair their houses and cash to purchase all that is needed all the while dealing with intermittent communication lines and the possibility of another typhoon they called Pablo.
My apologies I had to blur some photos for their privacy.
We were one of those who sustained property damages and just like the rest we had to seek ways to obtain supplies. We had to line up on fuel, tap water, potable water and cash withdrawal at the nearest ATM. Lines everywhere were the longest I have ever seen. It can’t even compare to the lines during the Pandemic Lockdown last March 2020.
Prices on the basic needs skyrocketed. We were able to purchase a portable fan at P750 but prior to Odette’s arrival, it could have been priced at P300. Mineral Waters charge from P45 to P85 per gallon when this could have normally been ordered at Php15 to Php25 with delivery. Fuels outside gas stations were overpriced by some individuals who joined the line to resell and jack up the price. The prices in gas stations were at Php 60+ per liter but they will resell it at Php 100 to Php130. The whole Island of Cebu has become a fire hazard with all the gas hoarding. Purchase of gensets became on demand. Charging electronic devices are now with a cost. Traffic before Christmas was now so heavy because everyone was out to report to work or was looking for ways to address their needs.
Obtaining essentials have indeed become quite challenging. I can just imagine how it is for those who were affected by the typhoon but had to report to work to help the rest of the citizens. People like the drivers distributing water and fuel, repair men of the power/telco posts and lines, security guards securing their assigned perimeters weakened by the typhoon, engineers and property management team of different properties / projects, the team behind the purchase and distribution of various essentials, health workers who had to ensure the lives of their patients when the power went down. All those people who had to report to work in the morning to help the lives of the affected citizens and go home to their families to join the battle of obtaining their essentials bearing in mind that this ordeal may take weeks or possibly months.
Many of what I call Heroes during Odette were clearing power/telco posts and lines, trees, debris and maintaining the lives of their patients at hospitals without electricity even when they had damaged houses too. Some haven’t even heard from their families of their situation but they chose to help out voiding their holiday breaks. In our area, a line man was working on our slanting electrical post on a December 25, 2021. I commend them for their dedication and we, the citizens, are sincerely grateful for their sacrifices.
I am also grateful for each of the citizens who looked after each other. I was able to join organizations who would message where they were able to purchase items that one may need. A deep well near my area allowed us to take water for a donation. I was allowed to charge up my portable fans, flashlights and power banks at my work place for free. Those who had the opportunity to stay in areas with gensets or water rations welcomed their friends to stay despite the scarcity of these resources. They too are heroes to those they helped and for that we are very thankful.
Filipinos indeed are resilient as a bamboo. Despite what happened, on a December 24, 2021, I woke up to a neighbor greeting her family very loudly and cheerfully, a Merry Christmas. At work, everyone was greeting each other. After work, I can hear the sound of trumpets all around. To some it may not be as Merry a Christmas but to many it is still a blessed one. There are still things to be grateful for and cliché as this may sound but this too shall pass.
A Blessed Christmas Everyone and to a recovering New Year!