Ondoy and Planet Earth

Ondoy, Ondoy Go Away, Don't Dare to Come Another Day

Yesterday, I was wondering how come there was a News Flash every fifteen minutes or so on TV. I was only hearing the opening music for the ABS-CBN news flash but I didn't really pay attention. I was only aware of what really happened til last night, when Cristine Reyes was begging for help as she was stuck on their rooftop with her family for eight hours. Little did I know about the extent of damage that Ondoy brought to Luzon.

I remember Manila to be prone to flood. But this one is crazy. Cars floating, people swimming amidst rainwater and even posh subdivisions seem to be floating as well. This picture from Yahoo images broke my heart.


People are swimming towards higher ground for safety. On my Twitter account, I read a lot of updates from local celebrities. The one that struck me most was @iloveruffag's post:

Chard said it was like the end of the world in Marikina. Pitch black, hundreds shouting for help,food. Most were angry,others were crying.

While I and other Davaoeños are so lucky to be in a typhoon-free zone, I think it is best for us to offer prayers for the victims of this typhoon. God bless the Philippines.

Weird Planet

Dad and I were chatting via Yahoo Messenger earlier. I told him about Ondoy. Then, he told me it snowed in Mongolia for a day then it stopped. Yesterday, it was freezing and today it was sunny and warm. His Mongolian officemates remarked that this was the first time they experienced such moody weather. And we both remembered the Red Dust in Sydney the other morning.

We only have one conclusion: Planet Earth is acting strange.

In other news..

Our cousins visited us! Yey! They live in Taytay, Rizal so we haven't seen each other in a gazillion years. Ate Jet and Kuya Jas used to visit us when we still lived in Bataan. We were growing up together when we were kids but sadly, we grew apart in the later years because my family and I moved to Davao. They're both older than me by four to six years (I never knew they're exact age) and they've always given me that "older sibling feeling" that I long for. It's nice chatting with them and their mom, Tita Flor. Our conversations have mostly evolved on how it was before when we were kids and how we are now. They still can't forget that I wanted to join Miss Philippines! Gaaah! It's truly great to have them here even for a few days.

Who for President

Interesting conversation. Yesterday, while we were waiting for the lab results at the doctor's clinic, Doc asked me who I will be voting for in the coming elections. I told him that although Noynoy Aquino and Gilbert Teodoro are making a lot of buzz lately, I don't really like either of them. And for that matter, it seems like I really have no other choice. The doc reacted to this. He told me that I just didn't know the achievement of Noynoy's parents that's why I'm not really enthusiastic about him. Eh?

I know Ninoy and Cory's achievements all too well and I believe they have contributed much effort for democracy. I also believe in their morality. Though it isn't safe to say that they are faultless, but maybe they are two of the few politicans who strived to keep their leadership clean and exemplary. Though I wasn't born at that time, I know they devoted a portion of their lives in the service of the Filipino people.

But Noynoy? Hmm. I still think he has more to prove. Kung sa mangga pa, I think he's the kind that looks ripe but it's actually sour inside. Presidency is not inherited, definitely. But, if he was raised by such moral and religious parents, maybe he's got a few tricks up his sleeve. Plus, his family was already wealthy even before they jumped to politics. I don't think money can still lure Noynoy to the wrong direction.

With this, the doctor told me that the country needs a leader that is moral, someone that can do a "general cleaning" on the "household". He believes that Noynoy could do that, if ever he wins.

In the coming election, if I haven't set my eyes on a specific candidate, I think I am inclined to vote for Noynoy. Just for the sake of voting.

It was the first time that I talked about politics with someone older, aside from my dad. it felt refreshing and empowering, making me realize that indeed I have a voice that matters, just like everyone else.

Baaaah. I've become such an activist. I owe this to the existence of a stagnant government that requires active people.