the stories, the snootiness

"Because you're poor, when calamity strikes, you're rendered incapacitated and at the peril of tragedy."

That is what actually the West utters about the Philippines Typhoon Haiyan experience. I can feel the derision on the Tube. It wouldn't happen to the Empire, they have the sturdier, listed structures (yeah). Planning permissions are needed for construction of any kind. My husband doesn't need to elucidate his thoughts. As I was back reading the news alerts, PAG -ASA or even Joint Typhoon Weather Center in Hawaii didn't illustrate clearly the definite storm surge that was going to hit land, specifically in Tacloban. They only said signal number one in the Visayas days before, upgrade to signal number four on the day itself (when the wind speed and the surge are on their deadliest) and Manila would experience residual rains. We were used to typhoons of the past (trees are usually uprooted) but they were not strong enough to topple every wooden property and blow away roofs made of dainty, cheap materials or 35 feet or more of water surge and wind speed so quick and strong. It was The Three Little Pigs in real time with a huge flood. Even if you had a very modern house, if it was not very high, chances of drowning was huge. If the warnings and paths were issued accurately, every resident of those affected areas should have boarded the C130 days before.

Houses and buildings made of concrete are more expensive to construct than the Bahay Kubo. Majority don't even have the plot of land to build a humble abode, the word is informal settler. Counting all the factors involved, lessons are learned but tell that to the victims who lost entire families. How do you appease hunger and a broken soul? How would you ever recover?

The politicians even played politics in the aftermath, just because they can, the nerve. If there was immediate response to the disaster, a descent into lawlessness would never happen. The government with their helicopters and satellite phone should have moved quickly.

Yet, the international community have been really helpful. A colleague from Africa even commented on the amount of aid  extended to the Philippines. Well, RP always thinks the US of A as kindred spirit, so the US Marines are really helpful with logistics.

This calamity hurts, makes one humble. Other countries can only give aid and stare at our plight and they continue with their very commercialised Christmas traditions. We take stock and reflect of those people who are experiencing nightmares, my fellow Visayans, and we should help in whatever ways to our Kababayans.

you said, you have problems?

It's a devastation that is not only close to home. It is home.

There's a colleague who had a family who didn't eat for days. We have Tacloban, a provincial capital being reduced to wasteland. Lives are lost.

I know strong winds. It's a staple in our lives. During the many hours of blackouts during the most catastrophic of typhoons growing up, all I could think of was, "please, don't blow away the roof, if the roof goes, what will become of us?" But as time goes by, the winds are getting fiercer, more menacing. When I rang home a few hours ago, there's substantial damage to our roof that needs repair.

But order is still in Bacolod, it's not as bad as in Leyte. The hubby was talking about our infrastructures not up to scratch. We should not live in wooden houses. Yes, because in a country where most people live below poverty line, the first thing we secure is the most expensive of materials for our shelter, brick and stones for every one. Forget about food, forget about water, forget about clothing, forget about the minuscule salary, forget staying alive.

But despite the hardships, the fatalities, we take stock about our lives and have this will power to be grateful and also to help out in every little way possible. Just imagine yourself losing loved ones, starving and wrestling with mosquitoes and a sense of helplessness.

One day, we won't have shanties in the Philippines. We won't have floods? When a super typhoon is about to hit, we will evacuate every single individual who live in wooden houses and let them stay where? Hotels? Shopping Centres?

As of now, we lend a helping hand, make a contribution, in whatever form.

from the Christmas list to make up

I've done my Christmas list for this year. If only I could skip the ritual of gift-giving and not shower a single soul with presents, that would be refreshing, not a tedious parade of obligation upon obligation. But with me, I only bother to those in my list, the nicest, the very friendly not necessarily leaves attached to branches of my family tree.

What I like about Christmas are the carols, the endless melody of songs about Jesus, not particularly Santa Clause. A time of reflection, to take stock about the routine and evolve into a better person. No, that would be quaint. Lets bring on St. Nick and the Christmas cards. Let's party?!

But Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the wrapped objects of desire. So here's hoping that despite the very limited funds, we should be giving more than receiving. Not that I would be deluged with presents from the kindest of souls but I hope not to accumulate any more items that would be relegated to the most obscure corner of the dresser. I can't have any more make-up stuff, be it eye-shadows, blush-ons, the likes. Foundations, I have to think about deeply. Lipstick, it depends on the colour. I know there are loads of beauty blogs, delving profoundly on the intricacies of the perfect eye-shadow. I've never indulged in the timeless routine of painting my face. I don't feel revolting without one, as the others who can't face the public without layers of powder on their cheeks. Or I just don't simply bother. I'm such a dork.

Nonetheless, I have to commence on face painting to utilise the collection I have at present. Some are gifts, others are bought with the purest of intention, a set of lip liners was from a direct selling brand with a desirable packaging, still untouched since time began.

But lotions, bubble baths, parfumeries, are more than welcome. My skin breaks out on some brands. Maybe someday, my arms would be smoother as it's hard to clear hideous rashes on my epidermis from one particular bubble bath. Or it could have been the water from our previous residence.

As for the list, the tiny tots get first dibs, presents to the kids are the same as giving to their parents, my by-word during time of recession and yes, at least I remember.