The Philippines Rebuilds After Super Typhoon Odette

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES –

In a nation that is well-known for having the longest and strictest lockdowns worldwide in response to COVID-19, the Filipino people were looking forward to a very merry Christmas in 2021. However, holiday plans quickly changed for those living in the regions of Visayas and Mindanao. On December 16, 2021, Typhoon Odette made her indelible mark on the islands and the people who live there. The intensity of the storm caught many people by surprise as it intensified overnight before landfall and the region is still struggling to recover. With a death toll of at least 410 and thousands without electricity and running water a month later, Word on the Street hit the ground to collect the stories of some young Filipino’s experiences.

WHAT WERE THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE STORM LIKE FOR YOU?

Fredmil (Camp 8, Toledo City, Cebu): I guess a lot of people didn’t expect the impact that Typhoon Odette brought. We prepared some things, like securing those things that would fly around, but we just went back to our rooms and tried to sleep. My nanay is afraid of thunderstorms, so I slept beside her. Around 9pm, that’s when it got stronger. We really didn’t prepare very well.

Darlene (Bantayan Island, Cebu): I was anxious when I heard about the storm getting stronger. It brought back so much trauma from Super Typhoon Yolanda (2013).

Neilroy (Cebu City, Cebu): When I heard about the typhoon, I checked social media and found out that Cebu City was only at Signal No. 1 on December 15. I thought it was going to be another typical storm that would pass through and be no big deal at all. At work in the University of the Visayas, we received a memo for all employees about the suspension of work on December 16. At home, we didn’t prepare for the storm, since all of us were busy preparing for our upcoming Christmas parties.

Youth from Inayawan Church of the Nazarene (ICON) (Inayawan, Cebu City): Those days were ordinary and we had everything we needed. We could still get tap and drinking water, consume an average amount of electricity, and sleep soundly.

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE STORM HIT?

F: I was in our house trying to feed and cuddle our dogs because they were terrified. One of our dogs got a bit traumatized by the storm and roof materials flying around. I was in my room with my family.

D: Thank God, our barangay officials took the initiative to secure us all in evacuation centers. My family and I stayed at the nearest school.

N: In the afternoon, I was already at home with my mother. We didn’t think about buying emergency supplies (water, canned goods, solar/rechargeable lights, power banks, etc). My father came home and told us that the alert level rose to Signal No. 4. The wind quickly got stronger and started to blow out our roof. The ceiling in our second story fell down and rain came inside our house, which made us all wet and cold. We quickly went to the first story and spent the long night listening to the chaotic turbulent strength of Odette.

ICON: When the storm hit, I was inside my room. I decided to go down and talk with the others about how strong the wind was. My mom asked me to buy some stuff from the convenience store to support our daily needs for a few days. We expected it to be like a week, but it became a month. Then the branches started breaking and landing on roofs. The leaves and mangos fell like rain drops, so we gathered in a place where we thought we would be safe. We worshiped our God in the midst of the storm and asked for His protection. Every time the wind got louder, so did our voices. God heard our prayers and cries. A few minutes after we worshipped our living God, the wind hushed. Though there was so much damage, we still believe that God has His purpose and time for this.

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HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED A STORM LIKE SUPER TYPHOON ODETTE?

F: No. We had strong storms like Yolanda, but it was only blackout for one week. So we expected that the electricity would be back in one week, but a month later, it still hasn’t come back.

D: We expected the worst from Odette, but it had nothing against the impacts that Super Typhoons Yolanda (2013) and Ruby (2014) left on our island. Yolanda was the strongest typhoon that hit the country and the eye of the storm went right through our tiny island, Bantayan. Our house was completely wrecked. There was no electricity for more than three months, no safe water to drink, and no network signal. We lived in an almost ground-zero environment. But surviving Yolanda was a testament that whatever storm comes to our lives, we no longer fear because we’ve overcome what’s probably the most life-threatening experience we ever had.

N: Never have I imagined in my entire life that I would experience a storm like “Odette.” Yolanda was very strong, but it didn’t directly hit Cebu City. We were affected, but not severely. Unlike now, we’ve lost water and power supply for more than a month and still have to deal with the damages in the house.

ICON: I have never experienced a storm like this before. However, it is not the first time we’ve seen damages caused by a single storm. I think that’s why we did not consider it an important matter that could throw infliction to us. We did not foresee it would be as detrimental as it was. This storm collected stories that must tell to others that serve as enlightenment that we should be prepared and mindful every day in any circumstances.

ODETTE HIT AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER. HOW DID THAT AFFECT YOUR COURSEWORK?

F: Around December, I was still tutoring a Grade 8 student who studies in La Salle in Lutopan. When the typhoon hit, all of our classes got shut down. We didn’t finish our research or all of the assessments. After the storm, I decided to resign from tutoring since I’m still trying to recuperate from what I experienced during the typhoon. Thankfully, my professors extended our deadlines until the end of January.

D: Our generation experienced so many delays that we feel so old now. From K-12 to COVID to typhoons, it’s like we had the longest education. I rely so much on my scholarship, and for the semester to halt because of Odette, I would expect much longer days of an online class.

ICON: It was the start of second semester for me and the final exam for my first subject this second sem. The day of the storm was my ‘no school and school works’ day. I was very chill and told myself I’d do the assigned tasks the next day. Unfortunately, I was unable to submit the activities and take the exam after the typhoon hit. Until now, I don’t have the resources to finish everything. Good thing the professors are focusing on our status and situation right now, rather than demanding to complete the tasks given.

The ceiling in our second story fell down and rain came inside our house, which made us all wet and cold. We quickly went to the first story and spent the long night listening to the chaotic turbulent strength of Odette.

HOW HAS THE STORM AND ITS AFTERMATH AFFECTED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

F: My nanay was the strongest in her faith in God. My tatay is so doubtful. He even told us, “Maybe God thought I would be praying to him after this. No.” Nanay was so quiet when he said that. I always believe everything happens for a reason. For example, COVID came, then another blessing and unexpected opportunities because of it. I believe there are lessons to be learned from this typhoon. I have faith and trust in the process. Even though it’s a slow process, it’s still a process. Slow is better than nothing.

D: A year after Yolanda, I decided to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. I didn’t depend on my trust in people anymore. With Odette, it was another eye-opener. It hit me in the heart to understand that Jesus is returning soon, and we should repent because sometimes storms are messages from heaven that are calling us out from our wrongdoings.

N: Before our roof flew off and ceilings fell down, I was in my room in the second floor, praying loud. I shouted the name of Jesus Christ to protect us and our house from the storm. As I stood on a ladder to hold our ceiling up with my two hands, I prayed to God for protection until it all fell down. It was a very strange moment for me when it happened, because I wasn’t scared of anything that could happen to me in that moment – even death. I found strength as I prayed, “If these things are part of your plans, Lord, thy will be done. I entrust you my life for I am Yours.”

ICON: These days I have been receiving revelations how God showing himself with the divine interventions that has been bestowed by his grace. The happenings were surreal until I read the life of King David. King David enjoyed his life with the help of God’s protection, guidance, wisdom, mercy and great love. He has abandoned many times even in his own relatives and been persecuted by the unending battles in his lifetime. However, by God’s grace, he did not surrender to pursue the adversities that falls in his way. He is righteous and blameless in God’s sight— aspects that I want to live with.  Amidst the emergence of unfortunate circumstances, God gave me a sensitive heart to read His Word and it comforts me for the rest of the days. It makes my relationship with him more intimate and been reminded that I am his child who is dependent on Him.

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WHAT ARE THE GREATEST NEEDS IN THE PHILIPPINES NOW?

F: We really need the presence of the government. We didn’t feel their care for the people. After Odette, we didn’t receive canned goods from the government. The mayor didn’t even come to visit our barangays. I don’t think the leaders care about the health and safety of their people. There’s a lack of leadership and care in both the private and public sectors.

D: People in the Philippines need a unified leadership that supports each other. I think we have to get serious about who we should vote for. I hope more leaders would prioritize the scientific revolution in the country. We also need leaders who are wise enough to collaborate with other nations regarding climate change because our country suffers from almost 20 storms every year, and they’re getting worse. If other nations would take the severity of these consequences, it would be better. But overall, the nation needs to repent. For centuries, we failed God with our selfish actions and our sins, and it’s time to ask for God’s forgiveness.

N: In Visayas and Mindanao, we need help to reenergize and rebuild. On the national level, I think the Philippines needs sustainable energy sources like solar panel systems per household, or if not, underground electric wiring systems for more typhoon-proof electric wirings. We also need leaders, both national and local, who quickly respond in times of calamities. That is truly when the community needs them to assist, mobilize aid, and distribute supplies when there are shortages. They should lead and spearhead action plans to maintain order in communities to prevent people from taking advantage of others and financially exploiting them. For example, after Odette, some people doubled or tripled the prices of drinking and tap waters, charged for using generators to recharge devices, and hoarded basic necessities.

ICON: The greatest needs for the Philippines right now, especially in affected areas, is food, proper shelter, electricity, and government’s right and just ruling. After Odette, some business shut down, most families need funds, and people who have the power to help focused their eyes on money and politics. The people are hoping to go back and live their normal lives as soon as possible.

HOW CAN OUR READERS BE PRAYING FOR THE FILIPINO PEOPLE?

F: Filipinos are strong. A lot of people still smile. You can see their smiles even though they don’t have a roof or house anymore. They laugh, but deep inside, they’re longing for something and crying. I think they’re trying to hide their emotions. Maybe, a lot of Christians can pray that we will stay strong and hold on despite the pandemic and typhoon. Pray that no one will backslide or turn their backs on God. This is a time we really need God and His presence. We can’t feel His presence if we just block out His power and do not believe in Him. We need to have faith in Him so He can come to us and help us.

D: Pray to God that He would send more messengers to proclaim His gospel in this nation. Pray for our leaders to not antagonize our Christian faith and encourage reconnecting to churches in whatever means. I pray for God to pour out his mercy to us and help us appoint righteous leaders in the upcoming election.

N: Pray for strength and the will to carry on until all becomes well, recovered, and we achieve full restoration. 

ICON: Pray for Filipinos to be unified—from the leaders that manage the circumstances and seek solutions, to the constituents that will work in together—that they will not condemn and drag down someone’s dignity. Pray for provisions and resources that are lacking due to the effects of Odette. Pray for the souls that will realize that we will move forward to the future God has prepared for us. With this, it is necessary for us to ask for God’s guidance and wisdom to continue with humility. We hoping that no one will boast or take it as an opportunity to deceive others, for many are deceived because of greediness for their own sake.

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Although Super Typhoon Odette was not as catastrophic as other storms that have ravaged the nation, the lives of the Filipinos have been greatly disrupted from the storm. The nation was just starting to see a light at the end of the very dark COVID tunnel when the storm hit, causing that small flame to dim… but only for a moment. If there is one characteristic that defines the Cebuano people, it is that of resiliency. In most cases, people have practiced a Bayanihan spirit (unity and helping others to achieve a goal) and continued to proclaim #BangonCebu (meaning, “get up Cebu”).