Ruins and Rain

The sound of the roaring engine is deafening. The plane bound for Cebu is now preparing for its departure. Two hours earlier, my parents and I arrived in this post-Haiyan Tacloban airport after a two-hour drive. They had to send me off to Manila. I felt like a teenager again. It was here that some precious tears were shed when break was over and I had to go back to school. Though I've been here countless times since I was a kid, my departure now is different but quite similar to my arrival almost two weeks earlier. I have felt this sadness that is hard to explain.

Hearing the very loud sound makes me realize more the devastation caused by Haiyan. The strong storm surge destroyed the airport's walls. My parents told me that the sound of Haiyan's winds was like that of a plane's engines too. I couldn't bear to think the terror people here and the rest of the city felt that fateful November 8 morning. One survivor outside the airport earlier said that the water was dark when it reached their house and it rose so quickly. 

The day is gloomy. The rain outside pours down endlessly, nonetheless you can still see hope in people's faces. The airport staff in particular is helpful and kind. Though it would take years, but hopefully this city will rise again and other towns that were destroyed by Haiyan. 

#TeamPW

This was originally a multiply entry years ago. This movie really moved me.

PW was involved in his non-profit organization Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW). He loved the ocean and did study marine biology. I was saddened by what happened to him and his friend after attending a charity event for Haiyan victims in the Philippines.

Man's Bestfriend

Aug 21, '08 11:52 AM

The movie (Eight Below) was not really new because it was released in 2006.  It was a story about a team of Antarctic explorers and their sled dogs. Jerry Shepard (the guide played by Paul Walker) agreed to lead a geologist (Dr. Davis McClaren played by Bruce Greenwood) in a very risky mission to find a rare meteorite from planet Mercury in the icy wilderness. They were able to find what they were looking for but barely survived because of some unfortunate events. A major storm was coming, Dr. McClaren had a broken leg and Jerry had frostbite. However, thanks to the team of sled dogs the two humans were able to return to base camp alive. All members of the team were evacuated later to safer grounds except the dogs. They were chained outside the desolate camp, all eight of them. 

The scene was so sad.  I knew what Jerry felt. He wanted to go back and save them but it was impossible. He wanted it so badly but all circumstances were against him. Nevertheless, the film ended with a happy note. Jerry was reunited with his dogs. The scene when Max wanted to tell Jerry that Maya was still out there was touching. I finally cried when he realized that Maya was still alive. It was great because he got his dogs back though not all of them and the woman that could understand his passion.

We had dogs around the house when I was growing up and I loved their company. My favorite was a dog named after my younger brother. It was loyal to our family. Whenever I had a late night practice in high school, it patiently waited for me and accompanied me home. 

Reach Out Worldwide is currently conducting relief efforts in the Philippines together with Waves for Water and Hurley H2O. I know Visayans and other Filipinos will forever remember Paul Walker. We are truly grateful. May your legacy lives on. We are grateful as well to the countless men and women around the world for all the help.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families of both men.

via wavesforwater