We just arrived an hour ago from a relief operation in Marikina City, one of the hardest hit areas in Greater Metro Manila after just six hours of torrential rains brought by Typhoon Ondoy yesterday.
The sight of the Marikina River Banks a day after Typhoon Ondoy onslaught that battered Metro Manila.
Ava’s sister Aubrey and her family live in the three-storey house they bought two years ago in Melrose Townhomes, which is just one block away from Cinco Hermanos Subdivision along the Industrial Zone of Marikina.
As we traveled there this afternoon with my wife, his youngest sister Aryane, her friend Nikka and their cousin Al, who served as our truck driver, our hearts just bled at the sight of the horrible destruction brought by the typhoon.
Broken tree trunks, branches and house roofs completely removed from the residential areas were scattered all over C-5 extension while the Marikina River was littered with debris.
We distributed food in one of the nearest barangays within sight of Melrose. And people from that barangay—young, old, teenagers—were all excited as they lined up to receive plastic bags of goodies.
In fact, it seemed that these people have skipped meals and are waiting for help from anywhere at that point because nothing was left of their houses.
Aubrey’s subdivision was submerged, with water reaching to about 15 feet, rendering most of the people’s appliances destroyed, while cars were left floating for a 12-hour period.
By the time we began cleaning up the place when we reached their area around 4 p.m., the ground was covered with mud.
Though the scene appears discouraging for most people, yet, one thing that’s encouraging was the sight of people in Marikina helping one another.
There are only two things people could do at this point in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy’s destructive onslaught—offer help or watch.
Whether big or small contribution—a prayer, an encouragement through text message or a 2-minute call, sending some clothes or food to any of the people displaced—these are all help worth giving.
It will not just ease the pain caused by the typhoon, it could also spark hope to these people as they live to see a new day.