I'm very thankful for still being alive.

Being able to experience firsthand the power of Mother Nature has made me become more appreciative of the life that was given to me.

Never in my 21 years of living have I thought that I would experience having my home be flooded;

Or me being placed inside a big blue drum to be pulled up to the roof only to be made wet since the drum capsized while in the water;

Or me sitting atop of the said drum (filled with water to keep it stable) while the latch of a chain is clipped unto my office belt for 4 hours, being told by my dad, "Anak, di ka malulunod. Pagka tumaas ung tubig, lulutang ka hanggang sa bubong!", amidst the rain and the cold muddy water that flooded our home;

Or me being rescued by our neighbors, with a scene like:

"Neighbor 1: o David, sige alalay ka sakin para makalabas na tayo dito; Me: (tries to stand up) teka po, Dad pwede patangal po muna ung kadenang naka-latch sakin"

and

"Neighbor 1: uy may bangka pala kayo dito eh; Dad: Hindi bangka yan, ref namin yan",

Then riding an improvised balsa (made by our neighbors from used electric posts and empty mineral water bottles), to be brought to the second floor of their home which had their first floor also flooded;

Or me living for 2 days on a vacant room in my neighbor's house, sleeping on a folding bed and making do with lent clothes and salvaged canned goods;

But amidst all of this, I'm still thankful for being alive. At one perspective, what happened to me was very funny (all of those whom I told the story laughed their asses out, especially on the big blue drum), but in another view, you wouldn't want that to happen to you.

There are a lot of people who complain of having slow internet connections and not-so-delicious food, not realizing that other people have lost not only their homes but also family members as well. Homes that, for some, have sheltered them for as long as they remember. Homes that, for the others, may not have been stayed in that long, but still had made memories along its concrete walls. And of course, lost family members that they have treasured in their hearts.

Me and my family are gonna go back to our home next week (currently staying at my tito's condo here in Taguig), having experienced this and now becoming more alert so as to be prepared when we face something like this again (knock on wood!). Also, having experienced this, I would definitely make the best effort to treasure everyone close to me: My Family, Joan , and my friends.

Astig!

--------------------------------



--------------------------------

Friends and Groups

Friends List