Day 10 - The Beginning of Recovery

Everything was brown after the water receded on Monday morning. People were able to get out of their houses and started disposing destroyed things and clearing mud from their own spaces.

Gates were re-opened and scattered objects were picked up and set aside for cleaning.

One lane was opened for traffic though the flow was very heavy but at least moving.

While what happened was not a perfect ending, deliveries were as usual. And so were some businesses that were able to survive Ondoy's fury.

Ortigas bridge served as the center for rescue operations and was temporarily closed for traffic. People began lining up to receive their needs. Choppers continued surveying the area.

As for the volunteers and rescue teams, work has just begun. Many parts of Cainta were still under water. Help has not even reached some.

You can help with just one text:

(800) 435 7669, www.RedCross.org,

text RED(space)AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe), 4483 (Smart),

Where AMOUNT may be 10, 25, 50, 100.

If from abroad, you can still help:

http://moongirl.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/donating-to-manila-from-abroad/

Day 9 - Rainbow After The Rain

I am used to working night shifts but I felt like I was more sleep-deprived during the flood weekend. Probably because worry was also factored in. My brother was still out there, no update as to how he spent the night outside of home.

The sight from my window at 7:10 AM was still sorrowful. The water was then that of Cadbury chocolate's color except that it did not look yummy at all. Almost half of the first floor of our building was submerged.

The stranded people had no choice but to wait, hoping that the water will recede as soon as possible since the rain has somehow stopped. But the passing of time seemed like eternity.

Waterlilies have blocked the gates...with trash. Trash that caused drainage to be clogged. Thus, a flash flood.

Speedboats roamed the "Ortigas Extension river" that day carrying women and children. No more playing.

Desperate people walked on cables just to get to the other end, not minding of the consequences.

And it was worth keeping your bestfriend. Loyalty Awardee.

People scanned their surroundings to check the degree of damage in their homes.

A child does not usually understand what is actually happening outside. Such as this child neighbor of ours.

Choppers never ceased to survey the area.

A few have paid strong-willed men to send them home via improvised rafts. Either by wood...

...Or by using a furniture...

Amphibians have started to arrive to speed up the rescue of the affected.

Still, smiles did never fade. What faded was my worry because around 1 PM, my brother has arrived after being under the water for more than 3 hours. He tried his best to battle the current while ignoring the scorching heat of the sun.

Relief goods were dropped to the hungry crowd. But the wind was pushing the goods away and made them land on the houses. It was drizzling.

And so they thought of a better plan. Relief goods were brought to the ground. Sun plus drizzle equals rainbow over Ortigas. I let out a sigh of hope.

By 6:30 PM, the water has subsided by more or less 2 feet. Long and big trucks were able to transport people. Some of the stranded buses attempted to pass through the road.

Sunday night brought forth a more positive atmosphere. We could see some parts of the pavement which meant that most of the people have left the place and finally would be able to meet their family at home.