BAYANIHAN in Southern Leyte: Filipinos Act of Indomitability after Odette

Hey there! Before I go on, allow me to apologize for not having posted for a couple of days. Actually before new year, I had a vehicular accident which injured me. For days, I was unable to stand properly and have to stay in bed from time to time to recover. As of now, although there are occasional pains, I am very well. Now, allow me to share one of the greatest Filipino Values: Bayanihan

Southern Leyte was among of the mostly devastated locations after Supertyphoon Odette struck the Philippines. In fact, it was one of the localities where Odette was expected to landfall...and it did. Some of the places actually experienced storm surged as high as four (4) meters. Just like the rest, damages were severe. Basic necessities became scarce as transportation and communication were really affected.

Bayanihan is a value which describes a Filipino's sense of community. It is in communion with one another, helping each other to reach a common goal. It is natural for a Filipino to have that sense of community because by nature, we are communal. Hence, after the Odette hit the Philippines, different local government units, non-government sectors, Religious institutions, and other private institutions and individuals came up with different activities to extend help to those who were affected...especially southern leyte.

When we did our forecast in order to provide what they need, the number one on the list is Food and Water. This very much evident because scarcity will really be prevalent every after the storm. Because of that, our parish and other organizations really provided packs with food and other basic necessities to be distributed to the victims.

Although this assistance is just temporary, it will really help them to get away from perplexity especially that they are trying to rebuild their homes. Building houses and worrying about food will take a toll on their well-being. Therefore, the help that they receive, however temporary, will be very much useful and helpful to them.

Currently, Southern Leyte is still recovering and many organizations are still giving continuous assistance to help them stand on their feet again. It's not easy but they are getting there. According to one of the citizens there, she said, "What matters is that we are alive. We can always rebuild houses but we can never rebuild a life that is lost."

So long as there is that spirit of community, we Filipinos will always be indomitable despite the storms that come a long our way. That is why, we are no longer survivors, we are conquerors!

If you happen to have donation drives in your areas, don't hesitate to help. I, too, am helping in my own ways. Little help is so much better than no help at all.

While I was witnessing the relief operation, I had a realization. We are not strong individually. Although we were taught to be strong and appreciate our individuality, we can never be strong by being alone. The Planet Earth experiences a symbiotic relationship with everything else in the universe. Those dwelling in it, living and non-living, are also part of it. Regardless of how strong you are, you will fall if you won't let others help you out. May it be a Supreme Being, your family, your friends, your lovelife, or your pet, you will need help and you need to help. Perhaps, it's part of the world's natural order...that we are never alone because we have one another.

Let's help one another. It will make the world a better place.

Take care always!

Ampyng