WHO would forget the tragedy that hit Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon sometime in September 26 last year? Typhoon Ondoy ravaged lives and properties, leaving many parts of Metro Manila soaked in water and mud, waterless and powerless for several days. Horrible pictures of dead bodies either lying on street floors or hanging in electrical wires shocked the whole nation when the waters began to subside. It was indeed the worst national tragedy ever –one that made man feel and see the wrath of nature. Several sad stories were heard days after Ondoy. Bitter stories of survival and dreadful tales of death. Even the rich and famous were not spared – a clear indication that in the face of mother nature’s anger for our abuse of her, everyone stood on equal footing.

However, while many of the stories told were of death or surviving death, there were also stories of heroism and philanthropy. While his family mourned over his loss, the memory of Army Corporal Adriano Regua’s heroism during the rescue operations in Mabitac, Laguna will forever be his family’s pride and honor. A similar valiant tale was told about 18-year old Muelmar Magallanes who was able to bring a baby back to her mother when the baby was carried by rampaging waters in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. Magallanes was able to save several kids, elderly, even animals, but was unfortunate to save himself when a television set hit him on the head and killed him instantly. These and other stories of courage and valor reminds us that even in the face of imminent danger an even death, God uses instruments like Corporal Regua and Muelmar Magallanes to tell us that He has not given up despite humankind’s indifference. In loving memory of the heroes of the Ondoy tragedy, and for the eternal repose of the souls of those who died, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be initiating a commemorative mass on September 26, 2010.

Will it take another Ondoy for us to learn our lessons in Environment 101? Experts have declared: Climate change is inevitable, irreversible, and inescapable. We are all bound to reap what we have sown. We are, however, also capable of ways to mitigate the impacts of climate change and the disasters that go with it. Useful lessons may be derived from our wretched experiences of Ondoy, most especially perhaps on disaster preparedness and disaster management. It is very apparent from the Ondoy catastrophe that we all have a stake on issues concerning the environment, because we are all part of the environment, dependent upon it for survival. May the lives taken by last year’s tragedy become inspirations for those who survived, and raise their spirits to strive to prevent another similar misfortune. With our eyes set on our common goal of ensuring the survival of future generations by healing the wounds we have caused nature, we believe there is much hope. (E-mail address: myrfnt@yahoo.com)