The SSVP Our Lady of the Cenacle and Our Lady of the Globe joined forces with the Social Service & Development Ministry of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in order to reach more people affected greatly by the tropical storm Ondoy.

        We reacted based on the actual situation we saw and the actual needs of the victims as we had close encounters with them.

        We tried to make our move very organized to ensure that we can reach out to more beneficiaries as possible.  We repacked the goods we received from SSVP to favor at least 4 families/pack because the need was so pressing then that people were almost begging even for a little share of what was being distributed.  In the early days of the devastation not much donors were responding because even our local donors get affected by the floods with their houses, cars, furniture all under flood water.  There were just a few of us lucky ones with houses above floodwater level.  In fact our house was turned into a relief center operation because certain parts of our church grounds were flooded too.

        What probably made us different from government supplied relief goods distribution was that we prayed before distribution; we used chapels as distribution centers; we delivered brief inspirational talks assuring them that the Lord is merciful and kind and that we are just His messengers of hope to them.  We delivered goods in makeshift bancas at times to deliver them to people who can’t leave their houses due to the life threatening flood waters and the expensive banca ride to take them out to drier areas.

        On every possible occasion, we tried to evangelize the grieving people left homeless and powerless.  Because of their fate some dropped hurting words; some get angry if they were not able to receive anything, some felt betrayed by their church leaders because they were not chosen as priority beneficiaries.  It was always difficult for them to understand that the goods we have is never enough for all nor is it ever enough for a day for all of them.  So little for so many.

        Even our volunteers had to be evangelized.  The work was difficult and a lot of sacrifice was necessary.  The job was thankless.  In the midst of decision to be made, some were affected but these trials were meant to cleanse all of us.  We had to be whole and one because we were all breaking down from fatigue, exhaustion, and even emotional distress.

        One week later donors came in from all over our area and generosity suddenly became present in everyone.  People from abroad saw it on the Filipino channels and contacted us how they could remit funds to help out.

        It was simply amazing how Filipinos could be in solidarity when in a crisis situation.  Love for one another and deep concern for one’s neighbor came out spontaneously.  Everyone wanted to be counted.  Everyone wanted to share, big or small.  Everyone wanted to get involved.  Finally the sincerity in helping was contagious.  Even the affected ones started to move with the prayer that God spared them for the worst.  They find their situation always better than another who had the same fate.

        Heroes saving lives surfaced.  But heroes sacrificing their life were excruciatingly painful for those left behind.  Two of my staff’s brothers died of LEPTOSPIROSIS when they had to help neighbors bring their furniture to higher grounds not mindful of the consequences.  Dengue was rampant.  We had to distribute DOXYCYCLINE, a prophylaxis for LEPTOSPIROSIS to prevent spread of the deadly virus for people who had no choice but dip into dirty and stagnant flood waters.  The typhoon that came was like a thief in the night.  Hence, DISASTER struck the unprepared.

        Many blamed our poor equipment in predicting storms.  Many reasoned it was simply due to climate change.  The environmentalists confirmed their stand.  Some said the squatters along river banks were the culprits.  Many blamed the use of non biodegradable materials.  So many many reasons.  So many pointing fingers.  But all of us contributed to this situation in one way or the other.  We took Mother Earth for granted.  We cared less or didn’t care at all.

        Typhoon Ondoy was a wakeup call.  Everything in this world is temporary…our homes, cars, furnitures and properties, even our friends, family and loved ones.  These were all lent to us.  How we will take care of them or value them is our response in this journey of our faith.  The Lord if the GIVER of LIFE.  He can take away everything anytime and in His mercy He can replace it much more than we can ask for.

       In our NOTHINGNESS, only the Lord is our EVERYTHING
       In our EMPTINESS, only the Lord is our FULFILLMENT
       In our LONELINESS, only the Lord is our source of JOY.

       In our nothingness, in our emptiness, in our aloneness only Creator, the Giver of life can give meaning to our existence in this world.