PAG-ASA

Marikina is said to be the cleanest city in the country but a few hours of raining made it like this.

no, this isn't a dump site, this is an ordinary street in Marikina 

What I saw in Marikina yesterday was heartbreaking but at the same time seeing how our kababayans can help each other and still smile amidst everything reaffirmed my faith in the Filipino spirit.

man trying to clean the mud off passers by who just came from Provident Villages

A few days after the storm, I heard a lot of stories of survival. Some from people I know, some from total strangers.

All sharing a common bond,the indomitable human spirit survives the strongest storms. And if they don't, their passing leaves an inspiration to emulate  like that  teenager  saving several people including a  baby, before drowning.

This storm left a lot of lessons in its wake,lessons of survival and sacrifice.

But if there's anything that Ondoy taught me, it's a message of hope, the Filipinos' bayanihan spirit is still alive. I just hope it doesn't take another storm to jumpstart it again.