by Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo

The CALM after the TEMPEST

Early evening of Dec. 15, 2021, BFF Ardy and I were still exchanging text messages as “Odette” was starting to threaten Bohol. She wrote: 

“KOMUSTA, BFF? This storm seems to be very ravaging and could be stronger than Yolanda. How about staying in the hotel for the night for your safety?” 

Deep within me, I wanted to tell my BFF that during the Yolanda catastrophe, there were people I knew in Tacloban who perished because the hotel they stayed in was almost leveled to the ground because of the surge. Even Mar Roxas was shocked upon knowing that the hotel he used to stay, the Leyte Park Hotel, was shattered by the storm.

During the Odette’s visit to Bohol, all of my children were with me. The day before December 14, 2021 was the 40th day of my husband’s passing. They were supposed to leave for their respective homes on the 16th hoping to spend Christmas with their respective families after spending two months with me before and after the death of their father.

Nalig-on gyud pud akong balatian nga diha ang akong mga anak uban kanako panahon sa bagyo. Apan kung atong hinumduman, kadtong gabii sa Disyembre 16 makapangurog gyud sa tuhod. 

Up to now, and every now and then, that nightmarish feeling disturbs me and may be including a lot of other people. But it is inevitable that we have to move on and pick up the pieces of debris plus the entire trunk of trees on the streets and trucks of garbage all over. Sometimes we sit back and think what and where to start first.



THE MORNING AFTER

There was still sufficient stock of food in the refrigerator. Gallons of drinking water were still there, too. The only problem was all the food in the ref had to be cooked as electricity was also ‘washed out’ by Odette. Household 

helpers went home even before the storm for they, too, had to prepare for the any eventuality. So, the morning after the fearful visit of Odette, my children and grandchildren had to take over. My son Ian and my grandson Blu were partners in managing all the mess brought about by Odette. They were managing practically everything for us: water procurement amidst the rationing; queueing at the gas station, banks, money centers, etc, Amidst all these, we kept on telling one another to maintain calmness of spirit.

Our Christmas together, amidst the melancholy of our surroundings, was still spent with expressions of gratefulness to the Lord for allowing us to come out safe after the typhoon. After all, Christmas means sharing and giving and sharing and giving. Despite the darkness in our midst, we still have lights in our hearts.

As New Year was then approaching, I told my children to spend it with their families. Dessa my ever faithful help stayed with me until the week after. I also had and and always have my two (2) CORAs: CORA Halland and CORA, my sister. My eldest, daughter Estela, (with her family) was here, too. They are already partly settled in my mother’s house at Bali-aut.


To my dear BFF and all my friends and people out there, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Even if my telephone and all my phones are dead. I just don’t want to be stressed by the absence of service. I’m just happy to be alive! We are grateful we are alive after the tempest. Thank you for the gift of life!