Name: Michael John G.

Bation Subject: Purposive Communication

Class Schedule: MW, 2:30 - 4:00 Instructor: Ms. Windy Paula Into

STORM OF FEAR

Philippines is considered as a highway for typhoons and a trail for calamities.

This fact has always been understood by many of us but despite the feeling of
normality, fear always arise and grief crawls at night. Often, I felt like I will never get
used to it and no matter how many typhoons I face, that fear crosses even the
greatest strength I have. Odette, the typhoon that watered the seed of fear on
calamities within me. The seed that was buried for eight years after our family
survived the strongest typhoon of the last decade, have grown its roots again as the
raging storm passes our community. However, despite the fear, hope swells within
me and I do believe hope also lies with others. Today, I will be brave enough to
share both stories of fear and hope.

The day before the storm, everything was in a normal pace. The sun was bright
that it glitters the river. The wind was still as if there is nothing that will eventually
happen. That day, it was my grandfather’s birthday, so naturally everyone is busy,
the choir was singing birthday songs and tell messages of love to my grandfather.
We even got to celebrate in the beach to celebrate. As I remembered, I was smiling
the whole day, trying to free my mind that a storm is coming. I was happy seeing my
family and neighbors enjoying the sea, something that we have never done since the
pandemic. Despite the enjoyment, a lot f us could not help but talk about how strong
the typhoon would be and what place would the landfall occur. My mom and our
neighbors are trying to figure out if it would be the same as Yolanda. Thankfully, we
got home safe that day. However, it was the moment before everything changes.

Sixteenth of December 2021 at probably 8:00 am, I woke up like it was a normal
day but I really felt that eerie silence, a silence that signals the storms rage. As early
as 9:00 am in the morning, the dark storm clouds gathered up in the mountains and
it grew darker as it moves towards us. The dark clouds was full of tense aura as if it
was whispering the wrath to come. The temperature dropped and the cold wind was
sweeping slowly and engulf our place. At the same time, I kept on scrolling my social
media accounts to watch the news and know what was currently happening that
time. Probably at 10:00 am in the morning, strong rains was already pouring which
we felt as the sign the storm is now ready for its landfall. Fast forward at 1:00 pm at
the afternoon, the winds was already starting to blow but it was still weak compared
to what we expected.

At that time, I remembered my father said, “This is already the storm and it’s
quite weak afterall” but I argued that the typhoon’s first landfall would be at 6:00 pm
at the Dinagat Islands because it what I saw in the news. Two hours later, the winds
was already blowing strong as if it strongly whispers “I’m already here”. Inside me, I
felt something more is coming but my father said I should rest and stop worrying so
much. An hour later, a very strong wind blows so strong that it’s hiss was enough to
wake me up from my slumber. The rain snapped by the wind as it struck our roof is
enough to blew out the fear I feel. In that time at 4:00 pm, I already felt the typhoon is
already in our direction. The electricity went out and internet signal was completely
lost. In that time, we did not even know that the typhoon Odette was already a super
typhoon.

The news was right, in the darkness of the night at 6:00pm the winds blew so
strong that even small stones and sands are carried in front of our door. Very strong
winds in combination with the rain, I could not even see the house of our neighbors
which is only at a walking distance from our house. As I watched what is happening
outside through a small opening in our windows, fear in me grew more and more in
me. Trees and banana stalks are bowing as the wind blows as someone commands
them to do so. The sound of the winds as it ravages houses and trees was full of fear
that I keep holding unto my mom which was also tense and worried on what will
happen. As the very strong winds continue to blow, our roof was shaking as if it’s
going to fall and we are already thinking where to go if it happened.

As the winds was blowing strong in the east, the trees was uprooted and
branches of different plants and trees are flying. The soursop tree beside our house
was uprooted and luckily it did not fall unto our house. The strong winds was
ravaging again and the roof of our neighbors are flying in different direction as we
hear it. Our grandfather transferred from his house, to our house just to make sure
that we are together no matter what happens. The water in a nearby creek starts to
overflow due to the heavy rains but it did not run through our house. At least 3 hours
after the landfall of the typhoon, the hut at the back of our house collapse and my
father run through it to check if nothing valuable was there. Due to all that was
happening, my fear just further increased and I kept on thinking where would we go if
our house will be damaged totally.

Nonetheless, as early as 8:00 pm in the evening, the storm already passed and
what was left was an utter silence, fear and weariness but there is nothing we could
do but move on. I, my father and our neighbors started checking on the damage
brought by the typhoon. As I remembered it, a lot of trees were uprooted, not a
single banana plant I left, coconut trees were heavily damaged and a lot of
galvanized roof were scattered on the ground. Despite all of this, I felt a sense of
relief from us and everyone. The fear turned into relief that everyone was safe and in
good condition. But I know, our situation is not of the same as the other places and I
kept thinking how much damage they faced. After some time, we cannot afford to
sleep because of what happened. We kept on talking how strong the typhoon was
like a horror story and how we felt that God is taking good care each of us.

Nobody wanted the typhoon or any calamities that we have faced through the
years. However, we cannot do anything but to pray and prepare. The day after the
typhoon, we have determined how much the typhoon ravaged our community.
Electric posts were down, trees in front of our store was swept and everything was
light but gloomy. My father also started to repair our roof and my grandfather
repaired his damaged hut where he often eat his food. Our neighbors also started
repairing there own houses probably as a way to move forward from the disaster that
distressed everyone. As the day ended, I was utterly thankful that despite the fear
the storm has brought to us, I remained hopeful that I and my family could face the
tomorrow as stronger and better. Typhoons may have destroyed the material things
we have but what is important is that we are still alive and kicking. I am thankful to
God that we are safe and sound and praying for those people who are severely
affected, hoping also that help is on it’s way to them.
II. Infographic
The file will be submitted separately in the google classroom or you may see the file
in the attached link:

ECONOMIC REPORT
Philippines 2021

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FDv7CJgxqUp-Bga69-NeX6pUVHf8bnTE/vie w?
usp=sharing