As the waters receded from Metro Manila they left something much more difficult to clear: mud. Just as the flood covered up to 80% of Manila as a result of Tropical Storm Ondoy (or Ketsana) on Sept. 26, so mud settled on about that same percentage of the capital city.
In the downtown and business areas, the mud was swept off by machines or shoveled by hired hands and was soon mostly gone. In the surrounding villages and communities, individual homes were more difficult to clean, and families faced the prospect of living in less than sanitary conditions or leaving their long-time homes and finding shelter elsewhere.
My wife’s family is in the latter category, fortunate in some ways that they at least have the option to move. For now, three generations are together, renting a large apartment outside the flood area, near the Jesuit university Ateneo de Manila.
My wife and I were also fortunate to be able to visit her family when my employer, the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, decided to send us to Manila to attend the K of C Luzon Convention, which had been scheduled for Oct. 10 long before the flood. I delivered a DVD with a video message from Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, who had visited the Philippines in 2005 to celebrate 100 years of the Knights of Columbus in the Asian country.
In his video message, Anderson expressed support and solidarity with the Filipino Knights and all the people of the Philippines after a destructive storm that has been compared to Hurricane Katrina. He reported that $50,000 had been sent immediately to the Philippine Bishops Conference, and $40,000 was soon after sent, to help with humanitarian relief efforts. He said that the Order in the Philippines has a proud history of charity that was especially evident after the flood. Knights who had suffered great losses themselves banded together to pack bags of food for those who had even less. The theme of the Convention – “Neighbor Helping Neighbor: Service Together” – was exemplified by the rapid response of the Knights to those in dire need.
Luzon Deputy Alonso Tan declared at the Convention, “Alleluia, we are here and alive!” He knew that after so many Knights and their families had fled to the roof of their houses to escape the flood waters, simply to be at the Convention was a blessing.
I will have more on my trip to the Philippines in the days to come. Please continue to pray for the people of the Philippines. They have lost much in material goods, but their faith and spirit remain strong. Families are working together, living together, and helping one another recover. They have the treasures that only come from faith, family and a warm sense of humor.
(To see photos from Manila and to donate to the Knights of Columbus Philippine Disaster Relief Fund, please visit www.kofc.org.)
Hi Brian!
Thank you for covering the situation in the Philippines after Ondoy (Ketsana). Your concern about the plight of Filipinos affected by floods is very heart-warming indeed.
May God bless you and your household.
Posted by: Marvin | October 15, 2009 at 06:20 AM