ONDOY: The Aftermath
In no way did the Filipinos foresee how cruel Tropical Storm Ondoy would be. What seemed to be a normal climate condition for a tropical country like the Philippines turned out to be an especially devastating encounter. Ondoy damaged billions of properties and caused hundreds of lives. What it left are nothing but wet, homeless, hungry Filipino families and fear for catastrophes to come.
The City of Calamba was one of the areas directly affected by Tropical Storm Ondoy. The upshot Ondoy rendered to the city includes damages ranging from the sectors of livelihood to tourism to education and health. The people’s income lessened as the sources of living have been jeopardized. Some fishermen could not operate because of the troubled condition of Laguna de Bay, while some farmers could not harvest because the fields they farm have gone under water. The resort industry has toppled because the operation of the pool resorts was hampered. More than three hundred pool resorts were reportedly submerged in flood, thus disabling them to function. People’s health was threatened as locals became susceptible to illnesses brought about by damp weather condition. Different illnesses such as Leptospirosis, Diarrhea, and fungal infections surfaced. Classes were suspended so that schools can be utilized as evacuation centers. More than thirty schools stopped holding classes in order to accommodate families who evacuated their homes.
While a good number of locals of the City of Calamba have suffered these consequences, those who particularly reside by the shores of Laguna de Bay are the ones who have experienced the most harm. Calamba’s coastal communities have been terribly swamped since the water from the lake rose due to excessive rainfall.
Facing the Repercussions
As if flooding the coastal communities were not enough, Tropical Storm Ondoy did not let even the farming communities pass. Families who depend on farming as their means of living also suffered the consequences caused by Ondoy.
Lolita Sible, resident of Sitio Ronggot Brgy. Lecheria, shares her sentiments about the unfortunate situation of her family after Ondoy hit the country. Sible, 57, describes how their small house got submerged in water. “Maliit lang yung bahay namin. Hanggang ngayon, mataas pa yung tubig. Inabot ng lagpas tao. Yung mga bahay nga nakalahati.” She explained that even though the water was able to break in through their house, her family refused to evacuate. That was because they did not want to leave their home and also because they had nowhere to go. For the Sibles, farming is the sole means of living. “Sa bukid lang. Nagtatanim tanim ng palay,”she exclaimed. Sible went on describing how the fields they farm turned to an ocean after Ondoy, “Mas mahirap na ngayon gawa ng ang mga pananim namin ay puro dagat na.” A mother of four, Sible takes the role of breadwinner in the family. She shared, “Bulag yung asawa ko. Iyong mga anak ko naman, mga wala namang hanap-buhay.” She also mentioned that in their current situation, having no source of income, it is very difficult for her family to get by. Sible used to send her eleven year old son to school until she decided to stop him from schooling because she has nothing to give as baon. “Wala kaming maitustos, e yung mga bukid naming tinataniman ay lumubog. Anu pang ibibigay ko? Ay, sabi ko sa susunod na lang siya papasok,” she stated. Her youngest child, an eight year old, is mentally disabled. She shared, “Parang batang isip yun eh hindi siya nakakabigkas.”
Since the Ondoy onslaught, the Sibles have relied mainly on goods provided by the local government and some non-government organizations for their daily needs. Sible clarified that they have no one to ask for help. “Wala nga ho. E minsan pagka-ano, nanghihingi lang din kami,” she said. However, not all the help extended by the government were able reach to the Sibles. It seems to her that they are least prioritized. She has observed that the priority of the government includes only the families who evacuated their homes, while those who chose to stay at home are the last among the beneficiary list. On the other hand, the Sibles are still thankful for all the help they received in the past few weeks.
In the Face of Uncertainty
Ironic it may seem, majority of victims of Tropical Storm Ondoy seemingly managed to remain positive amidst their unfortunate circumstance. They have tried to live normal lives despite the lingering flood situation.
Rather than an air of tension and despair, what filled the settlement of the families affected by Ondoy was a mood of resilience. Adults would continue to do domestic chores while children would run around and play. They have sought to look at their situation in a positive light, thinking that life has to go on and they need not be stuck with their misfortune.
For Miriam Villanueva, a resident of Brgy. Lingga Calamba City, though they experienced loss caused by the onslaught of Ondoy, they have no choice but to accept the unexpected turns in life.
Like many others, the Villanuevas also depend on the help extended by the local government and non-government organizations.
Likewise for Beth Belardo, she expressed “Kung may mga relief goods, e di okay, kung wala e di okay lang. Hindi naman kasi namimilit e. Kung merong dumating nagpapasalamat kami.” Villanueva and Belardo shared the same unlucky situation and yet they remain determined to go on. They were able to laugh at what they have been through. Villanueva even managed to joke about their situation. “Kanina nga umuwi ako e. Talaga naman yung dingding ko e, talagang wala na (laughs). Dahil dun sa nangyari, siyempre kelangan namin ng dingding, para pag-uwi namin gagawin namin yung bahay,(laughs), “ she related.
Although Ondoy left the city of Calamba with destruction and loss, it however left its people with no less than an inner resource of strength and will to survive. Like Villanueva and Belardo, the locals of Calamba have chosen to carry on with their lives despite fear. As the old adage goes, life goes on.—Sarah Jane Capacio/Cristal Alexis Dangatag October, 2009 
