Saturday Sept. 26, started an ordinary rainy day. My husband Ed left early with some friends to go to Eastridge. We were to meet in Flors Garden in Antipolo after lunch after the baptism of my niece Maritess’ baby boy Basti. As it turned out the baptism was Sunday, I went to Ayala Alabang instead to meet with Joy Sison, a real estate broker. I looked at my cell phone, and saw Eds message, “are you safe?” We started to head back home by noon, and was stuck for 3 hours even before the entry to South Super Hi way. That’s when I heard the current news on radio, and felt blest, safe and dry in the car. It took me 7 hours to get home but still fortunate that we didn’t cross any serious flood. However, if I didn’t make the “mistake” of thinking that Basti baptism was that day, I would have been stuck in Antipolo. Antipolo is mountainous and high so there is no danger of flooding, but what took its toll were the land slides.

Some lessons I learned from this experience:

1. Car should be in good condition . Full tank. Limit use of air con.

2. Cell phone fully charged. Limit calls, use text.

3. Have water and biscuit (snacks), comfortable clothes to change,

Umbrella, Flash light, Rope, and now I believe every home and vehicle should have a Life Vest (especially those with kids and during rainy season).

And of course, prevention is important. When there is typhoon coming, better stay home unless absolutely necessary. The problem is last Saturday seemed like any other rainy day. And signal no. 1 has never been that severe.

I also realized the importance of PRAYER for direction and protection before leaving the house. We need His guidance. You never know what is out there. I cant help but recall the tragic accident that happened to dear friend Frank Eugenio’s wife Daisy and two (2) grandchildren when they went out on a family outing to Puerto Galera.

Split second decision, “gut feel” can make a big difference. Every advise I got said that C5, Magallanes, Buendia and Amorsolo were all flooded. So were do I pass to get to Pasig? My only choice was Magallanes, hoping that the low area is not the Dasma side. We waited in the Magallanes skyway exit and when the driver saw the water recede enough to pass, we made a run for it. We were pleasantly surprised to find EDSA so clear (south bound was heavy) and home in 20 minutes!

The same thing happened to PNB president Omar Mier, he had to decide whether to brave the waters or wait. He went ahead while the water was still knee deep and arrived home safely. Others who waited longer were stuck. My husband Ed, stuck in low Cainta Ortigas area, didn’t want to go against the raging strong currents. He waited it out, rode a passing dump truck and arrived home Sunday night safe and dry. All these however were mere inconveniences, nothing compared to the tragedies experienced by many.

Tragic stories

There is the story of a father who was out of town, instructed his daughter to get out of their house and move to a higher level. The daughter did not want to get wet or dirty, later drowned together with her yaya. Children orphaned losing both their parents, and parents losing their children and grand children.

A young wife in Provident Village, said, “its now all gone, so with her husband who passed away” trying to save some appliances. Many stories of families losing their prized possessions, houses, cars, furnitures and memories. My “daughter in love” Maggi told me the sad story of a pig owner in Bulacan . His pigs run loose with a good number being drowned. When the owner realized what happened, he suffered a heart attack and died.

Miracle Stories

At the same, there were a number of miracle stories of Gods hand at work. Beckee, my secretary told me about her friend who was on the roof top very hungry when a refrigerator (yes it floats in water) suddenly stopped with its door on top that they were able to open it, and it was full of food ! My moms nurse Noemi told me that her friend realized during this flood of God's compelling love. Water was rising so fast in Bulacan when a log suddenly appeared that she and her family were able to hang on. Then, a box of noodles came drifting by which they ate raw. Then to top it all, her old thermos full of hot water followed! A mother gave birth at the height of the flood with both mother and baby now doing well. And I saw the face of this mother on TV, despite the hardship she went through, thankful, full of hope. Standing out among the stories of course is the bravery and courage of the young soldier who saved 30 lives, finally losing his own in the end exhausted and tired. He is a real hero by any standards. My 95 year old mother want to thank him but he is now gone. She wants to thank his family.

We all have our stories of this “sudden” flood and its lessons in life. With the recent subprime financial crises which left a number of houses foreclosed and life savings, retirement money dwindle to a fraction of its former value, clearly, it shows material things can be gone in an instant. This flood tragedy is even worse, seeing before your own eyes, the physical destruction that the rushing waters can do to property and to lives. Gil a friend realized when his home was flooded, that he had the money, but what he needed was food, water and warmth, and they were all so distant.

God can give and God can take away as well. We need to learn what is really important in life. This is a wake up call, what we can call a Global Warning that we should not focus on material things which can be lost in the wink of an eye. Even if all material things are gone, what is it that we still have? We can’t be deprived of our education, skills, relationships and especially a right relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. These past events, the Lord seem to be reminding us to call upon Him. And with Him, we can continue to have Hope despite the material losses.

At the same time, we need to protect our environment, His creation or suffer its consequences. We should not lose sight of the truth that Global Warming is here now. Yes, we can’t prevent the typhoon, that’s an act of God. But the floods staying for so long is actually man-made, with the garbage and waterways clogged. Let's do our share in protecting the environment. Let's dispose of our waste properly, in fact start segregating and composting. When I did this, my garbage reduced by as much as 40%.

This reminds me of Odette Alacantara, a very good friend and staunch activist for the environment and waste management, who passed away recently. She encouraged me and my sister Kay to learn waste management and to have a Ramon Forest and Tsikiting Gubat Forest at Carolina Bamboo Garden and Flors Garden in Antipolo. These forests in our Antipolo gardens, now stands as a fitting tribute to our dear friend Odette.

Before its too late, lets pay attention to this wake up call , to the Global Warning, lets re evaluate our priorities and do something about Global Warming, as it is now here.
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Finex Foundation Environment Committee chaired by Manny Duenas is spearheading a number of projects to help protect the environment. Finex will have a Natural Farming and Gardening Seminar in Flors Garden on Oct. 24 and 26 with speaker Andrey Lim, 2009 Secretary of Agriculture Awardee on Organic Farming. This farming seminar is chaired by Adele Jaucian while George Chua is heading a tree planting project.
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Ms. Tarriela is Chairman of Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Trustee, Finex Foundation.She was formerly Undersecretary of Finance and First Filipino Lady Vice President of Citibank N.A.