What’s Going on Pilipinas? -- -Jenika Gi-An C. Nero

2013 EARTHQUAKE VIDEO BOHOL CEBU 7.2 Magnitude compilation footage Philippines --- photo from Google Images

                 

                   Innocent lives are lost, houses which were once built for protection are destroyed, and tears of sorrow are shed. Nobody wanted the devastation; nobody hoped for destruction. As Filipinos slept throughout the peaceful night surrounded by people close to their hearts, they never knew what was in store for them the moment they opened their eyes the next day.

                  Strong rain pounded on the rooftops of residences at dawn as the fierce wind blew trees and electrical posts down mercilessly. Flood quickly rose all over the land and landslides washed out a great number of houses. Heavy grey and black clouds covered the bright sun and wide blue sky for days and kept threatening to spill out droplets of water anytime with loud booming thunder and frightening strikes of lightning.

Typhoon Santi had left a widespread damage in northern Luzon leaving hundreds of families homeless, cold, and hungry. Diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue, and other rain-related viruses immediately infected the young and old, making the hospitals jam-packed with patients. Seeing the victims of the typhoon crammed in an evacuation area with nothing to eat or drink and some even taking care of their sick family members gave me an odd sensation within, like a sinking feeling that went deeper and deeper by the minute. The pity I felt for them was slowly building up inside of me but I knew that the dark gloomy clouds will go away someday and the sun will shine brightly over them once again.

                    It was just another beautiful Tuesday morning in the Visayas—specifically in the islands of Bohol and Cebu—that turned completely upside down only because of that very unexpected incident. Due to the observance of Eid’l Adha, October 15 was a national holiday. Most people were still engulfed in  deep sleep while others were already up and doing their own business whether it were buying groceries at public markets to get the most fresh vegetables, fruits, meat or fish; exercising with their family; watching early television shows at home; or in the case of the Muslims, praying in their Mosques.

                 Nobody was prepared for what was going to happen next—heck, no one knew it was going to be ugly. But what was bound to happen happened, even if it was going to be an unfortunate turn of events. Twelve minutes after eight, the ground beneath our  feet  shook uncontrollably with great force that gradually became stronger and stronger by the second. Walls cracked, fragile plates, glasses, jars, and other breakable materials fell and shattered to the ground.  Foundations which were old and weak including some time-worn churches in Bohol and Cebu gave away, and electrical posts fell and caused the brownouts in most  affected barangays in Bohol. With eyes wide with surprise and hearts beating frantically with fear, Visayans ran out of their houses and buildings they occupied earlier while some were unluckily trapped under piles of heavy rocks and boulders from infrastructures that collapsed.  After about thirty seconds or so, the shaking of the ground finally stopped but was quickly followed by a series of strong and faint aftershocks.

                  News about the 7.2 magnitude earthquake swiftly spread throughout the Philippines, showing the aftermath of the said incident. Homelessness, traumat, and the continuous aftershocks forced some families to have no choice but to camp outside their houses when nighttime finally came. The following days were completed with more aftershocks. But the day never went on without prayer. Sugbohol shall rise again.

                      Loud gunshots and ear-deafening booms of bombs were the only sounds frequently heard in the city of Zamboanga. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) attacked the city to gain two things: independence and power. With heavy and very powerful guns, bombs and tanks, they confronted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a bloody battle, destroyed more than a thousand houses, and even captured some innocent citizens as their hostages to use as a human shield against the soldiers. Zamboangueños were forced to stay and hide in evacuation areas since all businesses in the city were closed and most houses were demolished, making Zamboanga seemingly a    ghost town if it wasn’t for the frequent sounds of gunshots and explosions. Days passed and the situation got worse—the number of dead people, whether a soldier, a rebel or a civilian increased, the supply of food and water decreased and more hostages were captured. On the other hand though, some MNLFs started surrendering to the police. Hostages also started escaping from the wrath of the rebels and shared their traumatizing experience of being tortured, crying heart-wrenchingly when they relived the frightening incidents in the MNLF’s hideout. Two weeks after the attack, the Philippine Government assured everyone the war was finally over, yet Zamboangueños admitted that they still heard gunshots in the city occasionally.

Life isn’t always how we want them to be. Problems will always arise when we least expect them. Many will suffer, some will give up, and others will think it’s the end. But as long as we have faith that someday we will be back on our feet and stand strong, nothing is impossible. Filipinos may not agree with the same idea all the time. Filipinos may argue sometimes, Filipinos may misunderstand each other, but when a province needs help, they’re sure to be there by their side. No matter how many times we will be hit with problems, Philippines will never break because we are forever united. Stay strong, Pilipinas!