A wedding and a typhoon...

I believe our family lives in a life full of comfort. We have food stocked in our cupboards, we have insurance (medical, home and vehicle), and we, as Canadians are quite lucky that the government can provide in times of need.

On September 26, 2009, Metro Manila was hit by typhoon Ketsana, also known as, Ondoy. Now, San Juan, where my husband used to live always...as in ALWAYS gets flooded especially his area in Katubusan. I don't have the exact take by take on what happened there but apparently the rain just poured. It was as if three months worth of rain was pouring in two days. The water rose up until the second floor of Lolo Beato's home, chest high.

Meanwhile, in Canada, our very close friends, Marc and Kiss, were preparing for their big day. There were errands to be done, a car to be washed, a hamstring pulled, people to be taken out to see Vancouver and entertained and other people needing a talking too (like that drunk dude who liked punching random people). It was a crazy, fun and stress filled week. For a week, we would only get a few hours of sleep each day. The morning of the wedding, I was happy. I was excited. I was happy and excited for our bestfriends. They are finally tying the knot.

That morning, however, I received a text from a cousin asking for prayers and help. Apparently, they still couldn't contact one of TJ's aunts who lived in Marikina (Provident Village). I couldn't attend to this text at all because we were all right in the middle of the wedding. The Tuanos in San Juan had to move everything they own up on the second floor and evacuate all the women and children to their cousins in F. Roxas (which was higher ground but a smaller house). Nothing could be saved. Everything was soaked in water. The men had to stay on the roof that night and wait for the water to subside. Apparently, Dad (TJ's father), received a one-liner text from her sister. It said, "Help Us".

Again, on the 26th, we weren't really aware of the the damage the typhoon had on our family since we were all right in the middle of the wedding. In the afternoon, at the reception, Dad received text messages from my SIL telling him how bad it is. Mama and Dad decided to leave early and attend to matters. The wedding was simple yet filled with laughter and tears. The food was good and I found that the program went really well. It didn't drag on like others. The speeches were very engaging. I guess the Nery/Ricafort clan are gifted in that area. We stayed till the end and a little bit more when they were cleaning up. TJ and I finally received text messages from my MIL and SIL asking what time would we be home and if we could all meet about what's going on. Before we got home, they were able to send a little money to just help them get by since there was nothing left for them. I was already getting sad because I was thinking to myself, "We were just there last December making them happy and spending time with all of them. Now, how are they even gonna celebrate Christmas?" It really didn't take long for me to fall in love with TJ's family back home. There were so many of them, all loud, fun and very simple. The children, especially!! Yes, they were a little hard-headed at times but they were different. They were sweet little smart alecs yet followed the elders when being told to do something. I also fell in love with their home in San Juan. I really felt that that home was built with so much love that it has withstood a lot of trying years. Everyone boasts of how Lolo Beato stood outside the street holding up a Sto. Nino when a couple neighbouring houses were burning. And how, it was a miracle that their house survived even when they were right in the middle of the fire. So, this is why my heart broke when I found out what happened.

The next day, TJ's cousins sent pictures of the aftermath. Despite the smiling faces in the pictures, you could just see how sad it all is. There was not much left. Ate Lyn (another one of TJ's cousins) thought she could save some of the clothes but because it wasn't just soaked in water but in mud as well, it would be a waste of electricity, soap and water if they even tried to wash it. We all decided to gather our old clothes and send them right away. One of Mama's friends worked for a Cargo company and he said he could squeeze in a few more little boxes and get it all there before the end of October. That was the soonest they could do. I texted friends and family asking for help in whatever size, shape and form. Quite a few answered and we were able to collect quite a few essentials. This was the day I just cried my heart out.

We all weren't quite ready for the help that was about to come. Ina, Kiss' aunt said that they would like to help. They offered our family their 2 bedroom home in Horseshoe Village as a temporary safe haven. It would be a small, clean place they can stay in while looking for another place or while the house in Rivera gets checked if it's still structuraly sound. Words couldn't express the gratitude we felt. We were so overwhelmed. I know Ina too, was a little overwhelmed when I told her how many they were but still she was whole-heartedly loving about the situation and was still open to it. Mama, Ina's mom even got their household help to go grocery shopping already so that they had food. Ina and the mom of another friend of mine even alloted their check in luggage for us so that a few of the essential things can be received sooner. It was a heavy downpour of blessings...stronger than Ondoy.

I know that life is never fair but I believe that God always provides in ways we could never imagine. He has blessed us with many loving friends. Thank you for everyone who have stood by us and supported us again, in whatever shape, size and form. Thank you Lord for always being there even if we think You are not.