The night when typhoon Odette hit us in Moalboal. Early at 8pm we lost the power supply so no running water coz the two are connected. I was so worried about the worst case scenario that would happen after that. When I started to see the raindrops and the windy by minutes it became powerful. The night was so hot inside the house while it was very strong wind outside. The water started coming into the house. My housemate and I are so scared to the point that we pack our things in case, things go wrong, we will be ready to leave. We couldn't rest for the night. We're very stressed to think about our family from the other island. We know that not just our place was hit. It was almost as if the entire island was experiencing the strongest typhoon I had encountered. We stayed awake until morning. We went out to see what it was like outside. My heart is crying inside when I see how big the damage was. The place that I considered my beloved home was almost destroyed. Looking at the people who lost their houses and their businesses was a terrible feeling.
I'll be missing the beach, the snorkeling with turtles, sardines, and watching live corals. It will take years to restore the corals to its beauty again. It will take years to come alive. Natures has claimed it back. We should take care of nature. We should see their values and how big their contributions to mother earth are.
Two days later, we were helping each other to stand again. After checking the people, we are grateful that nobody got hurt. Everyone had each others back support. That's how persistent the people on the island are, pretty much all Filipinos.
If you see we are now washing our dishes in the sea while we are hoping to swim. How we wish if we swam we would stay salty, stinky and feeling so uncomfortable than not showering. Water is really a big part of our lives; losing it even for just a minute will really make your life so hard. Water is everything.
We don't stop looking for a water source. My friends and I went to a resort that had been damaged by the typhoon and luckily they had an emergency water tank. We could take a shower there after three days. We are grateful to the owner of the resort who let us take a shower. Finally, we can properly breathe and feel fresh.
The chances are on my side. I could meet someone who would take me to the city. I can't have peace of mind and soul by thinking of how to report to work. It has been two days.
On the way, looking at the house that has already no roof, fallen trees, fallen debris and destroyed house was really hard, especially seeing the people on the street that are asking for help but you couldn't help too. I wish I could help by the time.
I arrived in the City and thought it would be a lot better situation. I got mistaken coz, it's still the same. No, cash ,can't buy food, otherwise I will be very patient to fall in line for 3 to 7 hours to the ATM so I can cash out money and the very difficult truth is that there's only few operating ATM machines. It was really tough to get a chance. But then I'm forever grateful to my friend who offered me cash assistance and helped me check my other friend on the other island.
After few days. I found a working place for four days before I'm flying to Manila. Thankfully, it's not the time to lose the job. My boss was so happy to hear me back; so am I.
The limited power supply and barely getting a signal, I'm forced to leave the island. I left everything in Moalboal. My plans have to change. I'm sad and how I wish there was no typhoon.
Honestly, I'm writing this because I can't sleep thinking I should write about my typhoon Odette experience. This is not the whole story. It is only a summary. My apology for sharing this; if you do read this, please don't be sad to read, it has been passed. I and we moved on. We will survive.
The good news, I'm now in Manila, even how much I hated to stay in the city. What else choice do I have? I will remain silent and make it worthwhile to stay.
If you happen you be from Cebu that moved to Manila, let's hangout! If you are from Manila, please say, Hi, I would like to meet you.
See you soon.