A Letter to Typhoon Ondoy: Dear Ondoy

Dear Ondoy,

You had us. You wanted attention, and you earned it.

No one had the slightest sign of your capability, of your strength. Yes, we could have been more aware. We could have been more prepared for your arrival. We could’ve unclogged the sewage systems, or managed our households more properly, as any hospitable Filipino would do in anticipation of a guest. Yet, we did not. We just thought you were one of those signal number one weaklings and brushed you aside. Our fault.

But nonetheless, what you did was cruel. You didn’t have to drown more than a hundred people, not even a single one. You didn’t have to Ondoy. You killed them. You destroyed their houses, their farms, their only means of livelihood. Is this what you trade for attention? To be written in history? To be unforgettable? Lame, Ondoy. Just lame.

Can’t you see I’m furious Ondoy. Well, maybe you can’t; you’re not even capable. You’re innately apathetic. You massacred kids!!! They had no match on you but you didn’t care. Their cries for help didn’t stop you. You were utterly insensate. How could you Ondoy? You’re such an ass.

Was it not enough that you brought in the greatest amount of rainfall for the past 40 years in just 6 hours? That could have put you in our history in an interesting light. But your inability to spare lives chucked your record-breaking feat into oblivion.

Ondoy, you now have what you wanted. Your name is in every news nowadays. You even made the big stars mention your name, at the least. Hollywood stars twitted all about you. Local stars bragged about their superhuman skills that you apparently didn’t have. But they couldn’t beat you Ondoy. You even made one of them wish he were a boat. Happy now?

But I have bad news Ondoy. You are not worthy of our history. We are making our history, not you. You underestimated Filipinos, especially our tenacity. If you have time to take a rest from wreaking havoc in Vietnam, watch the news and drool over how we kick your lame ass as of this moment.

Let me tell you Ondoy, for every last breath you took away, for every life you cut short, our strength, faith, and hope intensify by ten-folds.

You had nothing on us all along.

Still Standing,
Norman

P.S. Read this letter to your two friends possibly coming over this week.

This letter is by Norman Clarence Lasam, a juris doctor student at the U.P. College of Law.  This was originally posted in his Facebook account.