Skip to main content

Resilience

In the context of the devastation brought by Haiyan, different sources call the Filipinos resilient. The Daily Mail, UK quotes US President Obama:
"I know the incredible resiliency of the Filipino people, and I am confident that the spirit of Bayanihan will see you through this tragedy."
Bayanihan, a word I never heard, used nor thought of in quite awhile, more or less two decades. It's nice to be reminded of a reference to 'communal unity and cooperation.' Honestly I don't remember being ever seriously sure what resilience really means until I gaped in horror at the TV this weekend. Let me reflect a bit:

"Resilience, the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties"

I have great memories of adventure in Tacloban, an island city hit the worst by Haiyan. Happy to be out of boarding school for the summer, Tacloban was the perfect place for an 18 year-old to explore. But now aside from not having any photos of my own, I don't think anyone needs more scenes resembling the end of the world. Instead I'm posting something reflective of the hope that my poor country is put to right again soon.

Samal is one of those areas under Signal 1 after tropical depression Zoraida moves closer to Mindanao.  Oh no... not Mindanao! Haven't we enough bombings and kidnappings there already? :(


Trucks and buses roll into ferries that transport them to Samal Island -


People usually pass here after alighting from the ferries -


A dirt road drive to the resorts


Late afternoon in the island -

Labels

Labels:

Comments

  1. SmilingSallyNovember 12, 2013 at 2:50 AM

    Aw Hazel,

    What a horrible thing to happen.

    Allow me to state that most Americans hurt for those afflicted in the Philippines. And we pray for them.

    Happy Blue Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. CynthiaNovember 12, 2013 at 8:52 AM

    Such a terrible disaster. And so hard to helplessly watch the photos of people begging for assistance, for water and food. I hope the bayanihan of the whole world will come together with generosity in helping people put their lives back together.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marisol@TravelingSolematesNovember 12, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    Hi Hazel, my heart is broken to what happened in our country. I feel so helpless watching, reading and hearing about the devastation from afar. That's true that Filipinos are resilient and we'll move on like we always do.
    Thanks for sharing the lovely photos of your town. I also hope with all my heart the the Philippines will soon heal from this all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Photo CacheNovember 12, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    I'm currently watching tv patrol right now. Resilience is what we need; faith is another.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LauraNovember 12, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    I'm glad you are safe Hazel… I've been praying for your nation, sent a donation, though I know it won't go far, it is something. I send compassionate energy to all who are suffering and all who are helping to alleviate suffering.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HazelNovember 13, 2013 at 9:45 AM

      Thank you, Laura. Any help, big or small is significant and very much appreciated.

      Delete
    2. Reader WilNovember 13, 2013 at 6:00 PM

      One can hardly imagine what it is to lose everything, relatives, house, anything! I hope that there is help and money enough to get these victims food and a roof over their heads.
      Wil, ABCW Team.

      Delete
  6. lina@womens perspectivesNovember 12, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    A beautiful island.
    My deepest sympathy to all victims of Haiyan typhoon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousNovember 12, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    Such terrible devastation - I hope the aid collected around the world will get there soon.

    ReplyDelete
  8. JennNovember 12, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    I really hope that the people of Eastern Sama can jump back in. The devastation is so great, my heart bleeds. Helping in our own little way but I am overwhelmed as to where to start and / or give my priorities. There are friends, families and even co-workers based in Tacloban and Guiaun that we still cannot reach. Hoping to that the relief goods we send reaches them somehow. Hoping for people to storm the heavens, the Philippines is in dire need of God's presence right now.

    Thanks for the photos showcasing the beauty of the Philippines.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fun60November 12, 2013 at 10:15 PM

    We watch such tragedies unfold before our eyes on the TV screen but feel so helpless. Giving money seems such a poor substitute when people have lost loved ones.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousNovember 12, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    I was glued to the Weather Channel dreading the arrival of this terrible storm and my heart broke when I saw the damage it did. Sending my love their way.

    ReplyDelete
  11. photowannabeNovember 13, 2013 at 1:06 AM

    My heart is so sad from all the devastating news about the beautiful Phillipines.
    Our prayers go out to everyone touched by it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Roger Owen GreenNovember 13, 2013 at 1:58 AM

    Hope that aid comes soon, and in sufficient quantities.
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

    ReplyDelete
  13. JoyNovember 13, 2013 at 6:38 AM

    Such devastation my heart goes out to the Philippines, may the resilience of the people help them through and more help arrive soon.
    Joy - ABC Team

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nonnie USANovember 13, 2013 at 8:18 AM

    reflecting_ letting you know that our ladies' Bible Study prayed for your country. My sister-in-law's dad was a Filipino, one of the most gracious, loving men I've ever known.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HazelNovember 13, 2013 at 10:47 AM

      Thank you, Nonnie. We greatly appreciate prayers.

      Delete
  15. lina@happy familyNovember 13, 2013 at 1:01 PM

    Came here again from WW, Hazel. The aid from Indonesia was heading the affected place. Hope it may help though just a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Leslie:November 14, 2013 at 6:53 AM

    So tragic! I hope everything gets back to a semblance of normality soon. I hope you didn't lose any family.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousNovember 15, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    my best wishes for early recovery for people. the news carried about the place is scary. great clicks

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

That time of year

Musical Monday: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, EHSS Scroll down for Monday Mayhem Right. Good-looking. Talented. Cute. And I'm supposed to believe life is fair? *Kidding* Take note of the final score - powerful thoracic diaphragms belting on. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. Amanda @ Bloggin with Amanda hosts Musical Monday XmasDolly of XmasDolly , Lori of Shewbridges of Central Florida , Larry of Cakeblast , and Callie of JAmerican Spice host Monday's Music Moves Me Denise @ Run DMT hosts Music Monday Blog Hop ************************ Monday Mayhem: The Return of Lola's Holiday Meme 1. What is your favorite holiday show/animated show? I know there are so many out there, but my life is riddled with work right now. It also is no help that this country I am in does not recognize Christmas except for commercial purposes. 2. What holiday character do you think you're most like? - pass- 3. What holiday character does your spouse think yo...
12 comments
Read more

Unknown reasons

What spirit is so empty and blind that it cannot recognize the fact that the foot is more noble than the shoe, and skin more beautiful than the garment with which it is clothed? - Michelangelo  Why is the Mom in this family picture smiling? Oh, I know. The Dad is wearing shoes. Old Photo Album But my mother was also smiling in our family photo. All three of us look about the same age as this family. Mama said she explicitly told Papa that day long ago that we would sit for a family portrait so we were to don something formal. But lo and behold Papa came in flip flops! Mama wasn't very happy about it. She still placed our picture neatly in the family album though. Family is family, slippers or stilettos. What is unknown to me, besides the identity of this family, is how Father (rest in peace, Pap) ended up in the photo studio wearing slippers when he wore shoes virtually all the time. In fact we only saw him wearing slippers during his retirement. Ah well, so much for shoes. I have ...
14 comments
Read more

THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!

Tacloban . It's where I spent two months of great adventure with college buddies at about the same age as the young adult artists in this video  We Are The World for Philippines ( Cover by Filipino Artsts ) This is the church where I served as piano accompanist for the 1990 summer student choir, and some of the services. According to reports it was filled with dead bodies when this shot was taken. Photo Courtesy: AUP Network on FB On Saturday, November 24th, Central World management (the former WTC Bangkok) lent space for a Haiyan fundraiser without charge. I'd like to commemorate the highlights:   One Voice: Help Haiyan Victims was a serendipity. Organizing events is something I had to pay money to study in grad school. But it was live learning right there that night and observing the process was free. Skywatch : Mission Tacloban The Bangkok Charity Orchestra   reflected tranquility in their music. Poor typhoon victims would...
30 comments
Read more