The news headline this morning states that “close to 14,000 people were displaced following typhoon Reming’s onslaught in the Bicol region and southern Luzon (Inq7.net).”
I’m thinking, there’s got to be more “displaced” people than that. And definitely, those affected aren’t just from Bicol, Mindoro or Batangas, but from nearby provinces as well. After all, being “displaced” does not just consist of having one’s home or property damaged. It also has something to do with not knowing where to go or what your next move should be, for fear that you’ll be the next victim of the storm’s rampage—never mind that the sun in actually shining bright outside and there’s nary a trace of the reportedly strong rains and winds brought about by the typhoon (in Metro Manila, that is). Just the thought of going through another Milenyo-like typhoon is enough to keep the average Pinoy cautious this time around. Just ask the residents of Malabon.
I, for one, am feeling sort of “displaced” right now. I’m supposed to be in Silang, Cavite today, attending a training course with my co-volunteers in VSO. But (no) thanks to Reming, the entire course was moved up one day (hence, it will start tomorrow, Saturday), on short notice. So after the frantic day I had yesterday trying to beat deadlines and attending to last minute stuff, here I am now, trying to pass the time until I board the bus to Silang. And since I’ve already psyched myself to attend that course beginning this morning, I couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything else right now. I’m neither really here where my physical body is, nor really there where I am supposed to be.
Sure, the eye of the storm did not hit Metro Manila as originally forecasted, but it nevertheless managed to mess up with people’s schedules and to disrupt the normal course of our daily lives.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In the middle of all this restlessness, W, a very good friend of mine called me all the way from Sydney, where she is attending a conference. Suddenly, I am glad that I am where I am. (If I had been in the seminar, I would not have been able to take her call.) And just like that, I am not feeling so “displaced” anymore.
Silver lining, anyone? ;)
Labels: Lacuna
