Sad News on TV

Philippines
December 18, 2011 3:06am CST
Last Friday typhoon Washi struck the southern part of the Philippines. Now since it was not felt much here in Metro Manila, we kind of dismissed it. I remember that the news bulletin on Friday night did not mention anything unusual that would cause concern. I recall that the news anchor asked the PAGASA guy if there was a chance that the wind would be stronger or that if it would change course, but the PAGASA guy nonchalantly said that the winds would go slower and that there is no cause for any concern. I was watching TV last night and saw in the news that many people perished in the storm because of flash floods. The images shown on TV breaks my heart and knowing that there are still around 200plus people missing still. The death toll is already at five hundred and rescuers are still digging corpses in the mud. People have lost homes. They were not able to save anything but their lives. This brings to mind the events of typhoon Ondoy here in Marikinia. I wonder with Christmas just a few days away, how will these people get through the holidays especially those who have lost their families?
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16 responses
• India
18 Dec 11
My heart pains whenever I hear such devastation uproots families and takes away lives. It is truly heart rending. Certain parts of globe are specially vulnerable and people have to live in constant anxiety & fear. Nature is so unkind on certain areas and if my heart doesn't go out to those that suffer, I'd be betraying nature's kindness on some of us. Peace to everyone!
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• Indonesia
18 Dec 11
I was sorry for what has happened in the Philipiness. I hope now is getting better there. Last Friday, we were hit by tornado and many companies were suffered from damages and the area where I live was flooded as well. Now, it is rainy season and the wind blows hard when the rain come. We are living in an island which is about thirty minutes by boat and there was bad thing happened we only are hoped that there would be no worsen then what happened. Just take it as a moral lesson and it means that we need to respect to nature and take care of surround the place.
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• Philippines
19 Dec 11
Take care also if you are experiencing storms in your area too. I also hope that nothing worse does come in terms of storms or typhoons in your area.
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@Informer (802)
• India
18 Dec 11
Hi Anne, It was really bad news for all of us here in India. I have many friends from Philippines here at Mylot and Facebook. I wish they all are safe..
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• Philippines
19 Dec 11
I don't have friends in the Mindanao and Visayas region, and I also hope that your friends are okay. Take care.
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• Philippines
18 Dec 11
Hello Anne, The sad part is that this area didn't really much experience typhoons in the past. I think with the climate change it has taken them by surprise though. In manila it really happens but people who had experience this must take precaution and prepare themselves all the time. too bad though we experience rains instead of snow
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@rollylolly (2843)
• India
18 Dec 11
Yes it is very depressing to hear such news . I pray that God help their family and they get mental strength to overcome such a critical phase .
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• Philippines
19 Dec 11
I am also praying for them. Such devastation. Take care.
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@fayol727 (31)
18 Dec 11
yeah it is really devastating news to all Filipinos. it is really sad because Christmas is already approaching so we should think on how we can help them in other ways to ease the pain they've felt now.we all know that it is the season of sharing and giving. may God strengthen them to overcome the obstacle they've facing right now.
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• Philippines
19 Dec 11
I really cannot fathom how these families will be spending Christmas. Property and things can always be replaced. But losing family members? Take care.
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@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
Really a year of the disaster in our country, my friend. We are very sorry for those families that is affected with the typhoon and lost lives... I want to help but I hate to say that even me haven't enough to make a living. I only hope and pray that those missing person will still be alive and God help them to survive in such condition...
@bubuth (1815)
• Philippines
21 Dec 11
Prayers can also help a lot. Me also, all i can give is prayer and i believe that prayer is very powerful. I know God have mercy on us they will listen in our prayer and even he will not fulfill our prayers he always have a reason.
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
18 Dec 11
I remember I was manning my desk on a routine coast watch duty when a call over the VHF channel advised me that the coast is still clear with no significant high waves, although the skies were overcast. That was last Friday morning, December 16, 2011, and we kept monitoring this tropical storm, the first to hit North Mindanao in almost thirty years, and I remember saying "lets not put our guard down." How I wish that message was heard far and wide but our repeater unit is exclusive only for the government channel we are on and not many has access to it. At twelve o"clock that night, the storm hit and I had to batten down the windows for the strong winds from the South with lashing rains. At three o'clock the power went out and I said "this is it!" We had no communications, no radio, no mobile phones, no light and we rode out the storm until morning. I addressed the congregation at four-thirty for the misa de gallo services, in the dark, with the candlelights, being assigned as the preacher for that Saturday morning, not knowing that people are already washed out to the sea and some didn't even see the light of dawn on that day. I was invited to two parties, one to our homecoming and the other to a wedding of a friend, surrounded by gala-like festivities but my spirit was not there, the sights and sounds I kept seeing were the floating bodies out in the bay I was sworn to protect. That was a very sad day for me, and I can't seem to forgive myself for not doing the things I should have done to mitigate the loss of so many innocent lives.
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
Don't be too harsh on yourself. Even the survivors interviewed said that it happened so fast and it was 11PM, a time where most people are already sleeping. Take care too.
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@globaldoc (858)
• Philippines
25 Dec 11
It is really a sad news that I heard. There are so many casualties, and it would be a very sad Christmas for them. I guess it really is not going to be good for them in the months to come. My prayers go for those who have suffered. On the lighter side, I believe it is not a reason not to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, if they really celebrate the very essence and the real meaning behind this day. If they will still celebrate God's gift of salvation for mankind, then there is still the big reason for them to celebrate this glorious day.
@edsss17 (4394)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
Yea, its really sad! Our place was hit with typhoon Washi too and unfortunately, we lost our roof. But, our place didn't have much damage like the others. We were not expecting the very strong wind that hit us because in the morning the weather is so fine (last Friday). Then, by 2pm in the afternoon it rained and strong winds started!
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• Philippines
18 Dec 11
I hope you and your family is well in spite of the roof gone from your house. Take care.
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@cearn25 (3456)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
I am lucky because I live here in the Philippines where it only rains when there is typhoon in the Philippines. I just pity those part which is always struck by typhoon. Now it is the Southern part. I hope that they will recover fast.
@bubuth (1815)
• Philippines
21 Dec 11
We are very lucky that we are safe in our home. Maybe they can recover in their wound but i think it will take a long time before they can recover in their personal emotion because of their family member who left because of the typhoon.
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
I already saw and watched in the news.It is really a disaster that killed too many live and destroy lots of house and establishment.The Christmas is fast approaching and I think we should use this holiday season to help them in any other ways we.This is the time to give and help other people which is the real meaning of Christmas.May the season reminds us of the rebirth of Jesus who always there to help and guide us.
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• Philippines
18 Dec 11
I was thinking of buying a new pair of shoes tomorrow. I will use the money to aid the victims instead. This is what really brought me to tears, the thought that it should be a time that families are together having fun. Take care.
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19 Dec 11
Yeah, Typhoon Sendong has hit Iligan City last friday (December 16, 2011)near our place, causing knee- deep floods. Let us all pray for all the victims and their loved ones in this time of need. Hope that we could extend our helping hands and let the spirit of giving be enacted.
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• Philippines
19 Dec 11
The video footages of the destruction caused by this typhoon reminded me so much of Ondoy. My prayer goes out to all the families affected. I hope they retain their positive outlook during this Christmas season.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Dec 11
hi anne25penn oh thats so sad. I knew the Philippines are tropical but never realized how ferocious those typhoons are till we get the news here in the US. I feel for you and all those who lost family 'and homes. This will be extra hard during the holidays. that has to be just heart breaking for those missing loved ones and their very homes. My heart goes out to all and to you too. God bless. hugs from hatley.
@eileenleyva (27567)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
What happened down south was much like what happened during the past few typhoons in the recent years. The typhoons had really become lashing, from Milenyo to Ondoy, and now to Sendong. People really perish in these kind of calamities. The earthquakes in Haiti, New Zealand, and Japan were all devastating. Fact is, the deluge is upon mankind, and we seem not to change our ways. The smog had even built up in the metropolis a fortnight ago, and yet the jeepney and Pajero smoke belchers are still on the roads... The world continues to spin... and Christmas will come...