Three years ago today.....
By rachz_kisses
@rachz_kisses (3838)
Philippines
November 7, 2016 7:18pm CST
I woke up today to a beautiful sunny blue sky. But three years ago, our small world was devastated by a famous super typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda, as it was known locally.
November 8, 2013… it was the day when we witnessed how the nature’s wrath destroyed everything. The whole world watched us as we drowned in our despair moments while the locals witnessed helplessly their loved ones being dragged away from them. It was the end of the world for us.
I cannot describe the heartache I felt seeing many people walking along the road, looking for their dead family under the debris. Others seemed to just don’t care anymore. We have no food for few days, no clean drinking water (the water line was damaged). We would walk like a kilometer to fetch water from a broken hydrant. The Government was slow with their help and reliefs. But thanks to the Non-Government Organizations who were quick to respond. We were given aid for our needs.
My experience has taught me a lot of things. My place is frequently visited by a typhoon but because of Yolanda (Haiyan), we are now on alert and ready. It also taught me to appreciate the value of small things. It taught me to appreciate food and water. And most of all, it taught me the value of a family. I’m just grateful that none of my family was harm.
Three years after, my family is still complete. And we cannot forget how November 8 changed our lives. We now have a different perspective in life. Material things don’t have value in life, it is the family that matters most. We can always buy things but we cannot bring back another life.
I am a Yolanda (Haiyan) Survivor. And this is my story.
(c) Photos were taken during Yolanda’s (Haiyan) aftermath.
8 people like this
9 responses
@Letranknight2015 (51964)
• Philippines
9 Nov 16
I donated some can goods back in 2013 but later learned that some government officials took relief goods and give it away as xmas presents. Shame!
2 people like this
@rachz_kisses (3838)
• Philippines
9 Nov 16
@Letranknight2015 It's not a surprise. The Aquino government was really not that helpful because our Mayor was a Romualdez, a relative of the Marcos. We were even told by then DILG Mar Roxas that the President was an Aquino and our Mayor was a Romualdez, "Bahala kayo sa buhay nyo." So really, they have no intention to help us. That moment of history, we will never forget how they treated us during those times in need. It will always be engraved in our hearts as Leytenos.
It warms my heart knowing that you donated some goods back then. Thank you for your kind act.
@Letranknight2015 (51964)
• Philippines
18 Jun 17
@cacay1 That was a lot of canned goods i donated back then. And so many relief goods were wasted as well.
1 person likes this
@rachz_kisses (3838)
• Philippines
18 Jun 17
@cacay1 Yes sis. We know now how greedy these people are.
1 person likes this
@rachz_kisses (3838)
• Philippines
8 Nov 16
Hopefully. But every year we are experiencing typhoons. We are shaking with fear whenever a strong typhoon is about to come. But we learned our lesson and we are always prepared now.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Nov 16
@rachz_kisses yes ma nature teaches us all some hjard lessons here in california we have earhtquakes we have leaned to be prepared too
1 person likes this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
16 Jun 17
It was such a heart wrenching event.I was there in Tacloban before Yolanda devastated it and while staying there, I witnessed how difficult is life in there. And it made more difficult because of the deadly typhoon. I am glad that nobody get harmed in your family that time. Sometimes, we need to experience bad things for us to appreciate some things. I have experienced it too.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
17 Jun 17
@rachz_kisses Family is our greatest treasure in this life. Are you still living with them or you have your own family already?
1 person likes this
@rachz_kisses (3838)
• Philippines
17 Jun 17
@annierose Yes, that's absolutely true. Bad things happen in order for us to learn something. From then on, I have learned to appreciate the basic things in life, like nature. And nothing is more important than family. 
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50261)
• United States
16 Jun 17
I am glad that you survived the typhoon. I went through hurricane Katrina.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50261)
• United States
16 Jun 17
@rachz_kisses these are horrible disasters to experience 
1 person likes this
@rachz_kisses (3838)
• Philippines
16 Jun 17
@Tampa_girl7 I agree. A very memorable too.
1 person likes this
@rachz_kisses (3838)
• Philippines
16 Jun 17
@Tampa_girl7 I remember watching the footage on hurricane Katrina on the news and I can't help but cry. Never comes to mind that I would be experiencing the same thing.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83495)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
18 Jun 17
When I read this, I cry my friend. I cannot avoid my feeling to remember that ferocious storm that killed so many people.Yes, the entire world witnessed that fatal disaster and came to rescue the helpless and provide some foods, water, and even disposable toilets. Billion donations and cash were raised but they never reached the hands of the survivors and that would be what the new government to find out where that money goes??? Thousand sacks of rice spoiled and rotten for they were not distributed to the victims, by the in-charge. A question was raised why weren't they distributed those thousand sacks of rice to the hungry survivors? They have to pay the crime committed.Sorry sis, I have just learned now you are from Tacloban, Leyte.To God be The Glory. May it won't happen again.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83495)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
18 Jun 17
@rachz_kisses , yes the world knew about the corruption and they will pay for it in jail.The world knows how much donation was received that was more or less 3 billion, and where did the money go? To the pockets of the dirty politicians and DILG. Soon they will, answer the query of the president and to return the money not theirs but the victims of Yolanda.
1 person likes this
@rachz_kisses (3838)
• Philippines
18 Jun 17
We hope that it won't happen again, sis. But only God knows.
We we're mad at how the government chose to spent the money donations. We felt like some beggars waiting for alms when in fact the government has the duty to help us. It is shame that a simple mayor from Davao was quick to send help.
The President and the DILG were incompetent of their job. Mga inutil. Yes, they we're in Leyte but not to help but for photoshoot.
We we're mad at how the government chose to spent the money donations. We felt like some beggars waiting for alms when in fact the government has the duty to help us. It is shame that a simple mayor from Davao was quick to send help.
The President and the DILG were incompetent of their job. Mga inutil. Yes, they we're in Leyte but not to help but for photoshoot.1 person likes this
@ms1864 (6885)
• Bangalore, India
8 Nov 16
thank you for sharing your story. It must have been a chilling experience. I can't imagine how people must have felt.
But you are right....material things are no where as important as human life. If we find pleasure in the little things in life....it gets simpler to live a life of quality. 
1 person likes this
@rachz_kisses (3838)
• Philippines
8 Nov 16
Thank you for reading. It is in the darkest you learn to appreciate life more.
1 person likes this
@chiwasaki (4694)
• Philippines
8 Nov 16
I am glad you are okay now. There is always a sunshine after the storm.
1 person likes this
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
8 Nov 16
I still remember the devastation wreaked by typhoon Yolanda. My family lives in Manila and despite the distance I was still worried and anxious for their safety. It was really sad, and calamities like this does make you realize that despite everything, we are still far luckier than most.
I remember that year we all pitched in to help a fellow Filipina here who has family who got affected by the typhoon.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
8 Nov 16
what a horrific turn 'f events :( i cannot e'en imagine livin' through such a storm. so glad that the non-government agencies came to the aide 'f all. i dunno why most governments drag their feet when such tragedies occur? one does learn to 'ppreciate the truly important schtuff though 'fter they've survived such'n ordeal. i'm glad yer a survivor 'n now better prepared fer future storms. 
1 person likes this
