The Daily Struggle of My Second Super Typhoon

Source: DOST-PAGASA Facebook Page

On the evening of December 16, 2021, Cebu City was hit by the Super Typhoon Rai locally known as Odette. It was under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal 4. This was actually my second Super Typhoon after our place in Palo, Leyte was directly hit by the strongest Super Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda.

Since the 16th of December, I faced a lot of struggles brought about by the aftermath of the super typhoon as well as realizations of what had transpired.

I am not from Cebu City and it made it even more depressing because I am away from my family whom I knew were very worried at that time especially that Cebu City was cut off from the rest of the world along with the other badly hit locality. Even if struggle was real, I am just happy cause I am still alive and that I survived another Super Typhoon.

DECEMBER 16, 2021
Hours before Odette hit Cebu City, it was yet just an ordinary. Although we were doing our tasks at the office, were also busy sending updates about Odette so that others could prepare promptly. Messenger and viber groups were full of PAGASA updates to cascade information of about the upcoming typhoon.

According to PAGASA's forecast, Odette was expected to landfall in Carcar, Cebu at around 11PM but it came earlier than expected. At around 6:PM, along with the other areas, our barangay in General Maxilom experienced power interruption. Cellular reception were getting slower but I would like to express my gratitude to Smart Communications because they manage to provide reception during the typhoon and even gave load to those affected. They stood steadfastly with us in these trying times.

At around 6:23, the winds were getting stronger. I could still hear my room as if I was in boat because the wind caused our walls to vibrate. My workmates and I were sending updates of what was latest during that time so that we will be informed of what was happening. Worry and anxiety engulfed me entirely as I could no longer call nor send messages to my family and my lover.

Experiencing typhoons is very difficult. How much more in the middle of the night where your vision is very much limited. It as if you've been cloistered and could no longer move.

7:31PM, our roof was slammed by the winds as if it was a piece of paper. I could already here Odette's winds whistle.

At around 8:24, a very strong gust of wind passed by bringing along a piece of room from my neighbor's house which slammed my windows. Around 8:39PM the roof on our second floor tore apart and rain waters started to create pools inside our boarding house. In a matter of minutes, water trickled down my room and my things got wet.

Renters from the second floor came down and we were helping each other to keep our place secured.

As I read the updates from my co-workers, it was very saddening to read that their places were also damaged. Others evacuated, too.

Winds continued to hit Cebu City. At 10:29PM, the very strong winds stopped and there was calmness momentarily. We took this opportunity to check the outside of our boarding house and took off the debris that flew inside our gates. When I had a glimpse outside, trees and electrical posts fell as if they surrendering to Odette's might.

At around 11:43PM, strong winds returned but not as strong as what happened hours back.

By 12MN, I slept as my body and mind was very tired. I was anxious of what would I see when the sun rose.

DECEMBER 17, 2021

I woke up to see my room full of water. I cleaned my room and after doing so, I went outside and saw the aftermath. I went inside to check and water was already cut off as well as the electricity. I walked along Mango Avenue going to Robinsons Fuente to look for hardware to buy Vulcaseal to cover the holes on my ceiling where the waters entered. As I treaded along, many people were bringing their things and waiting for taxis. Instead of riding a taxi, I opted to ride a Habal-habal (motorcycle) so that others could use the taxi. Good thing that the driver was really good. We toured around looking for a hardware and we managed to find one in Private near University of San Carlos-South Campus. The line was long because people were buying roof, nails and woods to fix their houses. After buying Vulcaseal, we went looking for mineral water. We were able to find water at Rose Pharmacy near our office and bought four 6-liter water to share it with my boardmates.

When I went home, my boardmate and I went to Ramos Street to look for food as we were very hungry. There we found an open Ngohiong Express. As much as I want to eat more, I should not because there was no water and it would be a difficult to visit the CR and do number 2.

Afternoon came, my boardmate decided to get his car at SM City Cebu. We waited for a taxi and it was so disheartening to witness how survival generated selfishness. When there was a cab, he demanded 300.00 pesos for the ride from our place to SM which supposedly was only around 70.00 pesos. We refused to ride. Good thing that the next cab driver was good.

This was SM City Cebu day after the typhoon.

We decided to go to Pier 1 to check for possible trips going back to Leyte and while doing so, we found hearbreaking situations within the city. There were a lot of damages and people were lining up for water.

People lining up to get water. I also realized that in the coming days, I will also do this.

More lines were piling up in different areas just to get water.

When we reached Pier 1, I was so hopeless if I would be able to go home because the port was badly damaged and many passengers were stranded.

Many people were stranded and as they went by, more and more people came. Those who had their tickets were rescheduled.

This is where I usually ride if I return to Leyte. However, three Ocean Jets were badly damaged. When we went to Roble Shipping lines, there were also a lot of people lining up to get their tickets even if there were no announcement of travel resumptions.

After that, we went looking for ATM and it took us 5 hours to withdraw. We found an Asia United Bank's ATM in IT Park and got our cash which we could use to buy necessities for us to survive and possibly buy tickets.

We went home and cooked what was left of our grocery.

DECEMBER 18, 2021
Supposedly our monthsary but we were not able to celebrate it because no signal. On this day though was the test of endurance. If other places could hear birds chirping, all I could hear were the sounds of generators from big buildings and the sirens of the ambulance. Also, this was the day wherein we started looking for water. My boardmates and I brought empty gallons of water to fill up. As we only had few pails, I bought three water containers so that we will have more water to save especially that in our boarding house, we were 15. Thankfully, I talked to a parent whose sons are studying in the University of San Carlos and together we went to the university to fetch water. We were allowed and from the 18th to 21st of December, we were getting water not only for our own boarding house but for our neighbors as well. The Bayanihan Spirit (Filipino's sense of helping each other) took over and we were able to get water. Street smarts was very helpful in these trying times. When I went to the Barangay Hall, there was little possibility that we will be given water. Waiting for the government's aid will not help us survive. We have to move and look for solution ourselves and there was no better way but to help each other. After fetching water, I went around and bought mineral water. The price of the bottled water was already increasing and I have no choice but to buy because we needed to drink. The information I gathered, I shared it with my neighbors so that they'll be able to purchase necessities. Good thing that 7/11 continued to operate and served people. When it was difficult to buy groceries, they opened their doors so that we could buy supplies. As part of my help, I bought supplies to give to our neighbors so that they could also use it especially water, canned goods, and breads.

Despite the struggle, I could not forget that it was still our monthsary. So before resting, I gazed up the moon and slept.

My so-called Monthsary Moon. Happy Monthsary to us.

DECEMBER 19-21, 2021
I still had my daily routine of fetching water and looking for mineral water. At this point, per bottle was already around 30.00 pesos to 65.00 pesos. As much as I want to buy directly at Nature's Spring at back of Harold's Hotel, I could not because of the very long line. I had no choice but to buy the water. On average my daily expenses for water bottle alone is around 800 pesos because I had to share this to others, too. Along the road, I could see posts stating, "We need help! We need water!" Because of this, with every means that I had, no matter how small, I tried also to help my neighbors especially the children.

Also, more people were struggling to buy gasoline especially that other gasoline stations were damaged and others were out of stock.

Long lines on gasoline stations. Actually, on the other side, there were also a lot of vehicles lining up. This was only one among other gasoline stations which were already operating 24 hours to cater to the public's needs.

On the evening, a hotel just outside our boarding house started to open its generator to help us get water and charge our phones. With this, I would like to thank Azia Suites for opening their doors for us. A lot of us were able to get water on the evening. Even if we started lining up at 6:00PM and some us could fill our empty containers at around 1:00AM, it was worth it. We were able to charge our phones up until one of the extension wire exploded. So the management decided to limit the charging station.

Together with our neigbors, we lined up to get water at Azia.

Azia Suites provided charging stations. As much as I want to charge my phone fully, I opted not to so that others could also recharge their phones especially that one of the extension wires exploded.

On the 21st, I was scammed, actually. I bought a solar powered powerbank at Colon Street at 1,700.00 but the solar panel was not functioning. I learned my lesson well. Still, I was sad because some people took this catastrophe to scam others.

DECEMBER 22,2021
I started to have stomachache. Also this was the day that I planned to go home. After sending water to my lover's place in Sibugay, I packed my things. At around 3:00PM, I rode a bus going to Carmen hoping to buy a ticket going to Isabel, Leyte at 10:00PM. I reached Carmen's Dry Dock at 6:00PM and at that time, my phone was dead. I mustered courage to talk to someone with a car to let me charge my phone and I would just pay for it. Luckily, I found someone who has an L300. He let me charged my phone and after a few conversation, he let me came along with him so that I would no longer fall in line to get ticket. Fortunately, he was going to Ormoc City, my hometown. A really big shoutout to Kuya Berning Sumampuno for his kindness.

Carmen's Dry Dock going to Isabel, Leyte

At around 10:00, we were already inside the boat. I felt so relieved regardless of how painful my stomach was. At 1:38AM, because of the delay, we were able to depart from the port.

DECEMBER 23, 2021
At 6:00AM, we reached the port of Isabel, Leyte. My stomach was still painful but I had to tolerate it. Kuya Berning and I travelled to Ormoc City which will take an hour.

One hour to go and I'll be home.

While going to Ormoc City, Kuya Berning told me his experience when Odette hit Southern Leyte and how they survive the storm surge. The water reached up to their necks and their belongings were washed away. Good thing they were able to survive and then went to Cebu City to deliver goods. We both realized that what matters most was that we were alive.

An hour after, we reached the seashore of Ormoc City.

Im so happy that I am already outside my home.

When I entered the house, my grandmother was so happy. Seeing how haggard I was and how I was suffering with stomachache, she prepared food for me to eat so that I could rest well.

Nanay's welcome look. Im home.

I would like to express my hearfelt gratitude to these people. They may not be able to read this but I thank them for their kindness. I tried helping some of them and hoping to help them more because I witnessed their struggles too because they also experienced Odette's force.

To kuya Habal-habal driver whose name I do not know who really helped me find hardware.

To kuya Marvin Salado for being my driver in searching for water and food.

To kuya Berning for letting me hitch on his L300 going to Ormoc.

To Kuya Jaffy for ordering the Solar Lamp from Manila.

To my Virginia Food, Inc. family and immediate heads for their concerns and updates even if they could not reach me for a couple of days.

To Miss Susan Escario for assisting me to get water from USC.

To my friends who were working with me hand in hand for us to survive.

To my lover for telling me not to get depressed because I was about to cry.

To Nanay for taking care of me when I got home.

Most of all, to God. For the gift of life. I may not have undestood His purpose of letting me experience again another super typhoon, all I know is that as I was struggling, He provided instruments for me to move forward to help not only my self but others, as well.

DECEMBER 24, 2021
Day before Christmas. Still, my stomach aches as of this writing. I might be brought to the hospital for check up if this persists. However, I will go to Church and offer Mass as Thanksgiving and for the eternal repose of those who died because of the Super Typhoon.

One thing I realized after the Super Typhoon is that no matter how strong our survival instinct is, kindness should always be present so that there will be equity. In these trying times, kindness will create a ripple effect which permeates to the hearts of others impelling them to give kindness to other people. If only I have more than enough resources, I would stay longer and help more.

Super Typhoon Odette may have brought suffering but it also proves that we Filipinos are, indeed, indomitable. We may have lost something, but we will gain more.

Yes, I survived another Super Typhoon. But I am no longer a mere survivor. Together with the others, we are no survivors. WE ARE CONQUERORS! And if I can, I will help other to be conquerors, too.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU!

Always know that if life gives you storms, or in this case a Super typhoon, never ever let your survival instincts take you over. Always maintain our human values. It will help us move forward faster and stronger.

Take care!
Ampyng Always!

Should you wish to extend your kindness and help others, you can contact me and I will send your donations to organizations who are doing donation drives to help those who were badly hit in the different areas in the Philippines.

NB: Tips, upvotes and reblogs of my posts regarding Odette will really be appreciated. I can use it to extend help to others, too. Thanks!