One lucky Filipino

I am still in disbelief. I find it hard to sleep the past nights. I could have been easily one of those injured, dead, or missing in Leyte. I missed it by a day. I am one lucky person.. one lucky Filipino.

I never really gave it much thought. I was just in Tacloban last week. I was there Tuesday, 04.November and stayed until 07.November. I knew of the coming typhoon. People knew about it.  It was even being discussed in our meeting. We update our participants about it almost hourly. We also agreed with those who wanted to cut the activity that they can go to their families in southern Leyte and start preparing for Yolanda. There was forced evacuation ordered by the mayors in almost all the LGUs in Leyte.

Wednesday, 06.November, everything felt tense in Tacloban. The hotel where we are staying is preparing. Me and my friends were talking about how to be ready for it. I started asking them if they got enough food at their place -- water, canned foods, etc... Some of my friends started calling me too. Asking me to leave Tacloban that day. I told them, "Yolanda will not be here until Friday, my flight is tomorrow (early morning). I will be fine." I got out of Tacloban the next day just fine.

Thursday, we headed to the airport early in the morning. I hated it... and I would have loved to stay over the weekend. This is something that I usually do when in the area. I stay the weekend, camp somewhere, and enjoy the peace and serenity areas like Leyte and Samar can offer. BUT, I had to be in Manila for a meeting. 

My Friday went as usual. Helped someone who got stranded in Manila because of the "stupid" weather disturbance. I am so unaware of the intensity of what was happening then. I had beers that night having in mind that I will be donating blood on Sunday which meant I can't drink on Saturday. Such problems I have.

Saturday was a lazy day. Never been out of my room as I need to keep away from alcohol.

Then Sunday. Sunday started early. Went to Binondo and donated my 450cc blood to TXTFIRE. Got back home and rested a bit to be ready for a party from my alumni organization. Still, I am quite clueless of what was happening in Leyte.

I am clueless because I have never really tried to know what is happening. I was all the while thinking that this typhoon is just another typhoon just like the other typhoons we had in the past. I never cared much since my family and friends are not there... well, I got some friends and colleagues there. Or I am clueless by choice. I am not sure anymore.

Then messages came in. My friends are asking me how I am and if I know of some other friends in the area that might be affected and what their statuses are. Friends from all-over the Philippines and abroad started calling, sending emails, and SMS.

Then Monday came. It started gloomy and ended gloomy.

And it's Wednesday again in the Philippines. It's still gloomy outside.

I am not at peace right now. I am mourning. I am mourning for my life that I could have lost in Leyte... for the lives that were lost...

I am not at ease being here in Makati, sitting in my airconditioned office, while some are sitting there in their makeshift shelters waiting for any sign of help that might be coming.

However, I am thankful for having been spared.