Sue and I were really planning to go the out last September 26, 2009. So, I went to her place in Antipolo to fix some of our things/projects before we leave, because her dad's gonna give us a ride on our way back here in Quezon City. We're suppose to attend and orchestra/concert at our school that evening, and that day WAS supposed to be jampacked.
Sue lives in Antipolo City which i've never been to before, and it was my first time to go there ...ALONE. It was further announced that there was a storm that day but NCR and metro manila was only raised at signal no. 1. The night before i left, it's starting to rain really hard but stopped when in the morning. As i woke up, the rain started to fall again. I was starting to have doubts wether i should go.
I was still debating with my thoughts and finally, i decided to leave with the heavy rain pouring. I took the cab on the way to the jeepney station in Katipunan and obeyed Sue's instructions on how to get there. I took the jeepney which says 'Antipolo-Cubao via Somulong highway'.
While passing the bridge in Marikina, i saw how the water in Marikina River was starting to rise. I panicked, and thought wether i should get out of the jeepney and take the next jeep going back to cubao. I got the feeling like i forgot something. i examined my things and noticed that my umbrella wasn't there. Oh God, i left it in the taxi. oh, crap.
i have no choice but to continue traveling to antipolo. i remained calm as every road in marikina started submerging in waters. Sue said that usually the treveling time from katipunan to marikina is an hour. But somehow, during that time, it felt longer. I was feeling uneasy the whole time because the rain was getting heavier and the waters were getting deeper. What made it worse is that i don't have an umbrella. Good thing i was wearing my jacket which kept me from getting drenched. I became so nervous when the jeepney driver called one of his fellow drivers and said do not go back anymore because the water was getting deep and he also added that he's going to park his jeep and go home because of the heavy rain.
When I reached Antipolo and i noticed that people are getting out of the jeep so I got out to and ran through the heavy rain. I stopped at the nearest place where there is a roof where i can get a trike and hopefully he know's Sue's house.
A tricycle driver stopped and i asked if he knows Villa Ligaya - Sue's place. He said that some ways through the village are blocked because of the the flood. I pleaded for him to take me to villa ligaya in any way, even if i have to cross that murky brown water. Yuck.
"Kuya, sige na po. Pakihatid naman po ako dun. Di ko po talaga kasi alam yun" I pleaded to the driver
"Eh, titingnan natin kung pwede makadaan dun sa may tulay. Baka kasi maanod tayo. Pag di tayo maka daan, hanapan nalang kita ng ibang madadaana."
"o sige po. Thank you po talaga!"
"Taga san ka ba?"
"Quezon city po."
"Ah. E bakit napadpad ka dito sa antipolo?"
"May kailangan po kasi akong tapusin na project."
"E sino ung pupuntahan mo?"
"Kaklase ko po."
Sue called me from time to time to instruct the trike driver where to pass. At the corner of the street i saw the whole road was cover with water. The driver asked whether the road was passable and waited for a minute and continued after another trike went through. I was holding my breath as the trike made its way to the murky water and made splashes inside and outside the trike. The dirty water splashed right in front of my face. I almost cried and wiped it off and the next thing i knew i was at Sue's front door. My pants were soaking wet as i got out of the trike.
I wanted to cry so much that time. For the efforts i've made and ofcourse about the dirty water that hit my face. I tried to calm myself down as i go through the after shock of what happened to me. The rai got harder and we weren't able go to our destination. I called my mom and tita to inform them that I wouldn't be able to come home because of the floods and landslides along the high way. For everybody's safety, i decided to stay at Sue's for the rest of the weekend.
The storm came unexpectedly. I didn't know that the amount of rainful ondoy brought was that enormous. I was stuck at Antipolo for 2 days and 2 nights.
The aftermath the storm brought was devastating. We were watching the news and I felt bad for complaining about situation when some people's were much much worse. I wanted to cry out of joy because i was safe. I also wanted to cry out grief for those people who were affected by the flood.
I don't know how or why, but i think Im still traumatized in storms. Trust me, I experienced a lot, enough for me to get nervous in pety hard rains. I was worried and tried texting families and friends, asking if they are ok.
Some of my friend's houses where flooded and most of them didn't spare any things. But what important is they are safe and alive.
Its amazing how filipinos unite at a time like this. Its so heartwarming to know that so many donations were given for the victims of typhoon ondoy. I just hope there would be enough for everyone.
The aftermath of the storm was dreadful. On my way home, we saw how much damage the flood brought to the city of Antipolo and Marikina. We saw the MMDA's pink fences thrown flat on the ground. The garbages that people collect, the muddy roads where in you can see the garbages burried deep with in. Different kinds of tow trucks pulling different kinds of cars. Most of the cars on the road were covered with mud and you can see people moving in and out of their houses. They're still cleaning everything.
I am thankful to Sue and her family for making me feel welcomed in Antipolo. Sue gave me a little tour of the place though its raining and her churchmates acknowledge my prescence during their sunday activity. We spent the weekend photoshooting, watching movies and EATING. My first time at Antipolo and its effin stormy!! Despite all these, I enjoyed my stay at Sue's place even if its storming.
Finally, after seeing all these, i hope everybody got the message: Nature has its way of getting revenge.
No comments:
Post a Comment