Surviving the aftermath

When Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) made landfall in the Philippines on Nov. 8, it did more than just ravage towns, villages, and lives in the six central islands it swept through, it changed things forever, not just here in the Philippines, but all over the world.

The mega storm had sustained winds of over 315 kilometers per hour making it the fourth most intense storm ever observed and the strongest tropical storm to make landfall ever. The speed of the winds were likened to that of a cyclone or tornado and caused strong and deadly waves, which ravaged coastal towns and carried most of the cities by the shoreline out to sea. In fact, some say many of these towns and villages have been completely leveled and exist no more.

The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons. In fact, we get our fair share every year and they seem to be getting stronger and even deadlier ever since Milenyo hit the country in 2006. However, I don’t think any of those storms could have prepared us for what happened with Yolanda. Those who have been observing climate change and the continuing destruction of the environment say that these new “super” typhoons will become the norm unless we all do something to heal the natural world. That, however, is a topic for another column.

To be sure, Yolanda is a storm that will be remembered forever. The sad part is, while the storm certainly ravaged the Philippines, it seems that the aftermath is proving to be just as deadly, if not even more so. The country was not unprepared for Yolanda, after all. In fact, days before the storm hit, preparations were already being made. Towns were evacuated and plans were put into place on what would happen after the storm made landfall. Unfortunately, none of the prepared plans were good enough against Yolanda’s wrath and things pretty much fell apart in the face of the storm’s strength.

It is understandable that due to the devastation caused by the typhoon there would be mass panic and it would take those in charge a little bit of time to get things in order again and get moving. Unfortunately, it certainly took much longer than a “little bit.” Days after the storm news reporters were already reporting from some of the strongest hit cities saying that no organization had been done yet or no aid had gotten through. How can we forget CNN’s own Anderson Cooper standing amidst the rubble and talking to the survivors? His accurate reporting ruffled many a government official’s feathers when he noted that five days after the storm he was surprised to not find any real evidence of organized recovery and relief.

His words were almost painful to watch. Not because they weren’t true, but because they were. So many stories of the survivors who made it made our insides twist because of the horror these people must have faced. According to reports the first one-two days after the storm were relatively a daze with people just trying to find loved ones and assess injuries. They believed help was surely coming. However, by day three with no real aid, it was no wonder they began to panic. No food or water for three days would cause anyone to panic, especially a father with children to feed or a woman trying to keep her dying parents alive. Cooper’s words were so powerful because they were a reflection of what was really happening as seen by his own eyes. They were truly painful to hear.

So painful, in fact, that broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez had to answer back by telling Cooper she did not think “he knew what he was talking about.” Unfortunately for her, her words were laced with an obvious bias, as it was her own husband Mar Roxas that was in the devastated areas trying to restore order and bring in relief. The Internet pounced on Sanchez and people were not shy when it came to sharing what they thought of her. Even journalists abroad were quoted saying they thought her broadcast was unnecessary and even bizarre. She called out Cooper, who was actually on the ground, from the comfort of her studio without even confirming with him first and in doing so, made it seem like she was merely trying to protect Roxas from the rising unrest and anger of both those affected by the storm and those in Manila trying to help and getting frustrated because it appeared as if none of the aid was actually getting through.

Cooper was just doing his job. His reports actually helped get our plight out on a global level. His words were accurate and unbiased and after Sanchez’s scathing remark, he even invited her to go and have a look for herself if she did not believe him. She really shot herself in the foot with that one.

And she is not the only one. Typhoon Yolanda has turned a bright harsh light onto the government and the dissatisfaction of the people on how this tragedy has been handled. Indeed, every topic related to Yolanda has become a hotbed of controversy seeing friends and family fighting both in person and online (especially online) about how they feel. Many are criticizing the government for their already slow response and the evident corruption, which is slowing the disbursement of relief down even further. The mess our president has made of this situation is, to say, the least, mind-boggling. His interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour showcased a man throwing a temper tantrum and arguing over death count rather than focusing on rebuilding. His ridiculous need to appear in control is just hampering efforts overall and his continued blaming of the local government makes many, myself included, sick to our stomachs.

There are many, on the other hand, that tell everyone to just shut up about negative things and focus on helping. I refuse to be silenced. I’m insulted actually that these same people equate complaining about our government failing us to us not helping. Many of the same people who are voicing their concerns with their mouths are using their hands to pack relief goods, going to Villamor to volunteer, or looking for any avenues through which they can help. These are usually the ones who are frustrated even more as they wonder how long it will take the relief goods to get to those who desperately need them.

However, not to be unfair, let me clear. Government is too broad a word and I will not belittle the heroic efforts of many in the government who have been doing their best to help. I admire the men in the military who are trying to restore order to towns in chaos, to relief workers and those in lower government offices who have left their own families behind to help those who were ravaged by the storm. I thank the policemen, the paramedics, the firemen, and the pilots who are working hard around the clock to help. These men and women are the real heroes.

So when I say government, what I really mean are leaders, our main leaders to be exact. Congressmen and Senators who’ve pilfered our hard earned taxes to line their pockets instead of investing in stronger infrastructure and calamity control. I take offense at leaders who take the time to repack relief goods with their names and parties before sending them to those in need. I take offense at those who wait to send help because they need to order items with their logos on them. And currently what I take offense at most of all is a leader who does not know how to lead. A leader who is more focused on seeming like he is in charge rather than just being a charge. Someone who focuses more on keeping the death counts down rather than helping the living. Just another gem in the on-going sterling efforts is the latest sound byte of “whoever is first prepared, he will get help first.” If it weren’t such a dire situation it would be laughable.

I think film veteran Peque Gallaga said it perfectly when he said in his open letter “either you defend the man or you defend the people this man is ignoring. You choose him or you choose the people.” I think it is every citizen’s right to voice his opinion. Now more than ever, you make a stand about what you believe in. Are you okay with the current state of politics or not? I know I am not. Now is not the time to blame anyone, Mr. President, now is the time to be a leader, because, let’s face it the country desperately needs one.