Ten days after a typhoon sent Manila into a tailspin, inundating houses up to the second floor and forcing people to their rooftops, residents in gravely affected areas are beginning to start anew. The relatively good weather bookended by Ondoy and Pepeng was an opportunity to throw out damaged furniture and belongings, hose out the mud that had caked on the floors, ceilings and walls and introduce a sense of life into a space that had been a setting to a calamity. Though the process may sound simple, it is actually difficult and painful, especially to those whose loved ones perished inside what they considered as an inviolable sanctuary.

Part of the healing of an individual involves the complete rehabilitation of the house which signals one’s preparedness to reclaim the normalcy swept away by the flood and move on with life. Residents and their houses are inextricably linked that “it’s inaccurate to talk about a person outside of his or her own context,” says Winifred Gallagher in “House Thinking.” By physically enacting acts of restoration—painting the walls, putting in new curtains, cleaning up the closet—one is also applying a balm of relief on one’s emotional and psychological states.

Engineer Miriam Tamayo, Architect Felicisimo Tejuco and Interior designer Hannah Faustino—known practitioners in their respective fields—are quick to offer advice not only on how to rescue one’s house from the ravages of Ondoy but also how to add a layer of safety that can mitigate, God forbid, possible disasters in the future. All of them agree that safety comes first and a thorough inspection of the house after a calamity should be paramount to make sure that it is still habitable and secure.

After a natural disaster, one should have the mind to immediately cut off power supply to avoid electrocution. A bigger issue, however, is the integrity of the house which can be compromised by flood or earthquake. “Stability may be compromised,” says Engr. Tamayo, “when founding soil has been eroded and as a result, foundations experience some settlement. If this happens, then other structural elements will be affected and may fail, e.g. columns.” 

Houses made of wood are more vulnerable compared to those made of concrete—as long as they stand on structurally safe ground. “Damages may appear for houses made up partly or fully of wood construction,” says Archt. Tejuco. “These include doors and door jambs, wood flooring and stair plans, and cabinets. Usually wood cannot be repaired if submerged in water. Check roof for possible damages or leakages. Make sure the water lines have not been compromised by leakages.” 

Both Engr. Tamayo and Archt. Tejuco agree that due diligence should be conducted in determining whether the site is prone to flood and earthquakes. Also crucial to the issue of safety is a 20-meter distance between the house and a body of water. “If area is flood-prone, establish floor levels higher than expected flood levels,” advises Engr. Tamayo. Archt. Tejuco adds that bedrooms “should be located upstairs if the house has upper floors. Re-plan the house if necessary. Use interior design materials which are not too susceptible to water or those which can be easily removed or dismantled.”

Other concerns to take note include having electrical conduits and switches at levels higher than known flood levels, providing for some “attic space” for temporary storage, ensuring that the septic tanks are properly designed and construction practices are compliant with building codes (e.g. quality of materials, concrete covers to reinforcement, etc.). A good drainage pattern, on the other hand, assures that rainwater does not easily turn into flood the site and subsides easily. 

Furniture, too, need to be checked and those that are beyond repair should be thrown away. Laminate woods and soft woods, unfortunately, easily become water-logged and have to be discarded. As for the remaining furniture, one should check their stability. “If it has become wobbly, it may mean that you need to reinforce it with additional or stronger joinery,” says Faustino. “It may be best to sort furniture that you still intend to keep and have it checked with a furniture maker who can restore such items.”

The principal designer of IDeal Interior Design Services suggests to list down the remaining functional pieces and the priority items that will replace those that were lost. “With the changes that may take place (in terms of space, user needs and activities), identify if there are still things that you need to purchase,” she says. “However, at this point, it is important to spend wisely. Consider items that have the least impact to the environment. Better yet, reuse and recycle. Start living green if you haven’t yet.”

A very good way to immediately perk up the space is to paint the walls anew. Mud may have turned them dull and lifeless which no scrubbing can undo. “Light colors, preferably neutral tones will lighten the mood and make the space look cleaner, well ventilated and positive,” she says. “Consider muted tones of yellow, blue, green and brown.”

The Ondoy tragedy emphasizes the importance on having an area devoted to the most vital supply: food. “It’s a good idea to have a kitchenette at the second floor (if space permits),” says Faustino. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be big, but should carry the basic requirements for a kitchen (food preparation, storage, cooking and cleaning).  A refrigerator, space for drinking water, pantry and sink (if possible) would suffice.” 

Other must- haves include emergency light, flashlights and reserve batteries, radio with reserve batteries, tools (hammer, screws, pliers, wrench), rope, ladder, smoke detectors, plastic container filled with first aid supplies, extension cords, first aid book, candles and matches, portable gas range and gas refills.

In the event that a life was claimed in a room by the tragedy, one should honor the space and consequently find ways in how to integrate it back into the house. “It is very hard to adjust when a tragic experience hits your family,” says Faustino, also faculty member of the Interior Design department of UP Diliman. “But should there be rooms that were left behind by a loved one, it is very important for positive energy to breeze in that area of the house.  You may want to consider a playroom (if you have kids), or opening up the room (meaning demolishing the walls) to open the space and make it into a common area.  It is very important to move on, and at times, the easiest way to do it is to remove any painful experiences of the past.”

The recent flooding that hit Manila was exceptional, affirms Engr. Tamayo, whose parents in-law living in Marikina were severely affected. “Their house was submerged.  Furniture, electrical appliances, memorabilia, etc. were totally damaged,” she says. Engr. Tamayo says that apart from subscribing to a safety guideline, one need to keep this non-technical advice at heart: “Maintain good relations with your neighbors. At times like this, your immediate neighbors are your best support.”

Email the author at the_seachild@yahoo.com