1

Richard R. Gappi

Intoy Tacloban
O Kung Paano Tumula
ang Isang Tatay
INTOY TACLOBAN: O KUNG PAANO TUMULA
ANG ISANG TATAY
2014 Richard R. Gappi
Litrato sa Pabalat: Si Richard Intoy R. Gappi Jr. sa Lakeside Park, Wawa,
Angono, Rizal,
Marso 2014
Reserbado ang lahat ng karapatan. Inilathala sa Republika ng Pilipinas.
Walang bahagi ng aklat na ito ang maaaring gamitin sa anumang anyo o
paraan, maliban kung may nakasulat na pahintulot mula sa may hawak ng
karapatang-ari, o kung kailangang sipiin sa pagsusuring pampanitikan at
pananaliksik pang-akademya.

Inilathala ng Angono Rizal News Online
51 Venus Compound, Barangay San Isidro, Angono, Rizal
Inilimbag sa Pilipinas ng Tumbzap Printhouse
ISBN 978-971-95770-1-0
Para kay Leah
ang nagkaloob ng dalawang pinakamatimyas
na danas sa aking buhay: ang maging tatay
at pagiging survivor ng bagyong Yolanda
NILALAMAN
UGOY NI INTOY
Pagdating 6
Pagkilala 8
Pagsilang 9
Tawag 10
Kay Rachel 11
Pangngalan 12
Selyo 13
Oyayi sa paghimbing 14
Alamat sa awiting bayan 15
Aral at bilin 16
Dalisay na galak 17
Himbing 18
Ang bunsong kapatid ng tula 19
Iyak 20
Titig 21
Lawas 22
Pagpasok sa trabaho 23
Pananabik 24
Sa kanto ng Real at Sagkahan 25
Pahabol sulat: Ang Tacloban 26
Bola 27
Diaper 28
Kay Intoy, ngayong Araw ng mga Puso 29
Relief Operations sa Angono 30
Tacloban City, Hunyo 21, 2012 31
DULOK: SA LUNGSOD NG MGA LIGALIG AT PUNTOD 32
WHATS INSIDE: SEVEN LONGEST NIGHTS 42
IN TACLOBAN CITY
MGA UNANG UMAGA NG PAGBABALIK, MAYO 1, 2014 71
EPILOGO 74
8
UGOY NI INTOY
Pagdating
Mahabang garalgal na dahak ng syudad
ang singasing ng elisi ng eroplano.
Sa bulsa ng puso,
may impit na ligalig ang nakasingit
sa gitna ng alapaap at paglapag
sa lunan ng paroroonan.
Nakalambitin ang buntonghininga
lalupat ang usad ay sinusundot
ng mga ligaw na hangin,
natitisod sa mga ulap
na parang hindi nakapagpreno
sa di napansing lubak.
Pagbaba mo,
isa kang bagong silang na sanggol:
inaaninag mo ang mapa ng bagong
heograpiya ng memoryat alaala;
ang lapat ng yapak ay nangingilala,
nangangapa, nagbabakasakaling
may katanguan na naligaw na di
sinasadyang magkukrus kayo ng landas.
At pwedeng mapagtanungan. Ngunit wala.
Sa dulo ng lagusan, ang umpisa ng paghihintay:
ang pagdating ng sundo na nabinbin
dahil walang signal ang SUN.
(Umuulan daw kasi sabi ng drayber ng traysikol.)
Sa nakakwadrong himpapawid,
9
tinitigan mo ang nakapakong larawan ng Tacloban:
sa ibabaw ng air tower,
(nagpakilala siya bilang DANIEL Z. ROMUALDEZ)
nakausli ang mga sanga ng puno;
halos lagas na ang dahon ngunit kandong-
kandong ang dalawang palinga-lingang ibon.
Dinuduyan ng hangin ang mga alalahanin. #
10
Pagkilala

May hininga ng apat na araw
na sanggol ang tanghaling tapat.
Ang bunsong pagdating
at pananahan sa bahay ay inuugoy
ng mga huni ng ibon.
Kahit tanghaling tapat,
nagsasagutan sa pagtilaok
ang mga manok.
Habang sa sulok ng bakuran ng bahay,
sa may labas sa kanto, nakipagtitigan
ang isang nakatanod na aso.
Bumalik ako sa loob.
Pero hinahabol ako ng tahol.
Naaaninag pa rin, marahil,
ang huling bahid ng dilim
ng estranghero kong anino. #
11
Pagsilang
Anak, ngayon ang ika-siyam
na buwan nang pagkahuli at pagpiit
sa Morong 43.

Sila yung mga duktor
at manggagawang pangkalusugan
na hinuli, habang nagseseminar
at nagsasanay sa paggagamot.

Siyam na buwan na silang
ikinulong dahil sa palsipikadong
arrest warrant at itinanim na ebidensya.
May dalawang nanay pa nga doon
na nagsilang habang nasa kulungan.

Siyam na buwan.

Anong hiwaga o siyentipikong
katuturan ang siyam na buwan?
Hindi bat isang kabuuan, parang
isang siklo ng sinapupunan?

Sa ganitong panahon at araw, anak,
November 6, 2010, isinilang ka.
Ngayong araw. Maligayang kaarawan. #
12
Tawag

Bandang alas-7:30 ng umaga.
Habang nasa taxi kami ni lola mo
papuntang UST Hospital
para magpa-check up,
tumawag ang Tita Rachel mo.
At sa cellphone,
ipinarinig nya sa akin
ang mga bunso mong iyak at uha.

Pagkatapos nang maiksing
usapan,
ng balita,
at ng text

nag-lowbat ang cellphone ko.

Sa ganoong pagkakataon,
ang cellphone na nalowbat
ay humihiwa ng lamat sa ulirat
nang walang katulad.
Parang langgam na nangangagat
ang di mapakaling paghihintay.#

13
Kay Rachel

Sa akin dapat

ang lakas sa bisig
ang ligalig sa isip
ang sumaklot na takot
ang panalanging umamot
ng pag-asa at kaligtasan

na inihatag habang
ang iyong panganay na kapatid,
ang aking mahal na asawa, ay nagle-labor
at nasa kabilang hukay ang kanyang isang paa.

Kaya kalakip ang pasintabit paumanhin
ay ang dalisay na pasasalamat.

Dahil sa iyong pag-ako at pagpapahiram
sa minsang pagkakataon na di malilimutan

Nang isilang si Intoy na minamahal nating lahat. #


14
Pangngalan

Sa Information Offce
ng Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Hospital:
Anong pangalan ng baby?
Junior po.

At ako naman:

May dati na kong kakambal.
Pero siya,
ngayon,
hindi lang siya kakambal sa pangalan
kundi dugo, butot laman,
ang dugtong na pusod ng aking kalalim-laliman.
Nakatatak ang aking anino
mula sa kanyang babasaging talampakan
hanggang sa malambot niyang bumbunan.

Nagsakatawang tao,
nagkatawang pangalan ako
sa bisa ng dokumentot tatak
ng aking bunsot panganay na anak. #
15
Selyo

Ang unang selyo
sa dokumento ng palatandaan
ng kanyang pagsilang
ng kanyang sarilit kakanyahan
ay ang kaliwat kanang badhi
ng kanyang munti at maririkit na talampakan.
(Para siyang bumoto nang dalawang beses
nitong nakaraang halalan sa barangay!)

Paalala, marahil, na saan man dumako,
malapit o malayo man ang marating
kailangan laging
lapat ang mga paa sa sahig ng lupa.
Dahil bilang isang nilalang,
doon tayo umuukit ng pangalan;
ang tabularasa at bakat
na lumulutang sa kalawakan. #

Oyayi sa paghimbing
Pampatulog nyang awit
mga kanta ng Beatles;
Ang kanyang panaginip
bay Across the Universe? #
17
Alamat sa awiting bayan

Saan isinisilang at kinakalinga
ang mga awitin at kwentong bayan?
Marahil, ang matris nito ay ang kuna
at ipinaghehele sa bisig ng isang lola.

Inday, Inday, nakain ka
Han kasunog han munyika
Pito ka tuig an paglaga
An aso waray kitaa.

At tulad ng sipol,
hangin itong inaamo at tinatawag
upang magkumot ng idlip at himbing.

Dandansoy...dandasoy...
Dandansoy...dandansoy...

Sa pagmulat at pagkamulagat
ay ang pabaon sa paglago at gunita
sa kakambal na lawas ng diwa at katauhan.

Inday, Inday, nakain ka
Han kasunog han munyika
Pito ka tuig an paglaga
An aso waray kitaa. #
18
Aral at bilin
I.
Kung matututo lamang
tayo sa kanya,
napakaganda ng daigdig:

Ito ay isang bote ng dede.
Hindi niya ito nakikita na

kalahating walang laman
kundi kalahating puno.

At ihahatid siya sa malambot na daigdig ng idlip.
Kung saan kulay bahaghari ang mga panaginip.
II.
Sa iyong paglaki,
Anak,
magkakaroon ng kahulugan
ang espasyot patlang.
Kahit kalahating puno ang daigdig,
may kalahati ang wala.
Kung tumitig ka man at iyakap
ang tingin ng kalinga sa mga wala,
magalit ka, mapoot.
Ngunit huwag, huwag lamang
magmukmok at magpakulong dito.
Diligan ng sigasig ng pag-asa ang poot.
Marami ngayon ang galit
sa daigdig dahil marami ang wala.
Ngunit sila ay nagmamahal at lumalaban
dahil nais nilang mawala ang wala
at ang poot ng kawalan. #
19

Dalisay na galak
Hinahanap natin sa kanya
ang lagda ng dugo
ang mapa ng ating anino.
Para tayong mapangahas na manlalakbay
na kinakapa ang dilim ng daan
ang alon sa kanyang balat
ang arko sa kanyang kilay
ang dagat sa kanyang noo
ang bukal sa kanyang labi
ang baliktad na Bulkang Mayon sa kanyang baba
ang tulay ng San Juanico sa kanyang leeg
ang dalisay na hininga sa kanyang dibdib
ang babasaging uniberso sa dulo ng kanyang kuko
ang batong buhay na nasa kanyang tuhod
ang ugat ng badhi na nasa kanyang talampakan.

Matutuwa tayo kapag nakita natin ito.
O naaninag kahit papaano.
At kung may salamin lamang sa ating harapan,
habang ginagawa natin ito,
nadiskubre na rin natin marahil
ang ganitong tagpo noong tayoy isilang:
dahil doon natin nauunawaan
ang kahulugan nang dalisay at bunsong galak. #
20
Himbing

Sa gitna ng kanyang alimpungat at himbing,
ang sariling daigdig na kanyang hinahabi.
Hindi dapat mapatid ang lubid
ng pasalit-salit na buntonghininga.

Kaya kapag nabato-balani ka niya,
natututuhan mong kailangang ilapat
ang pinakamasinsin na katahimikan:

ang mahinhing bigat na lapat ng yapak
ang kiming pagpikit ng screen ng pinto
ang malambot na paghaplos sa kanyang bumbunan
at sa kanyang malutong na buto at kalamnan
kahit ang iyong marahang ihip
ng llyebo kwarentang tinig at hininga.

Dahil kung hindi,
mawawala sa pagkapako at pagkakaayon
ang lahat ng lawas at malulunod,
ikakandado niya tayo ng titig sa hangin.
Sa kanyang hugis pusot matimyas na labi
ay ang kanyang ngalangalang binabatak ng iyak:
ang palatandaang may nakapasok na hindi inaasahan
sa kanyang malutong at babasaging daigdig. #
21
Ang bunsong kapatid ng tula

Kanina, sabay na dumating
ang Musa ng talinghaga
at ang iyak ng bata.

Sa unang pagkakataon, ipinagkanulo ko
ang aking selosang tula sa iyak ng anak
kong nasa kuna at nag-aapuhap ng kalinga.

Maiintindihan nya rin ako.

Dahil kailangang magpaubaya
at magpasintabi ng Musa-Tula
sa kanyang bunsong kapatid na umuuha. #
22

Iyak

Parang iisa lamang ang uha at iyak
ngunit palaisipan ang dahilan.

Maaaring
gutom, gustong dumede
inagawan ng antok, hanap ay ugoy
di mapakali, dahil dumumi o naihi
gustong magpahele, dahil naglalambing.

Ngunit kung halos mabanat na ang mga ugat
at litid sa leeg, at wala sa mga ito ang dahilan
maaaring meron siyang dinadaing.

Doon mo mararamdaman na ang pag-iyak
ay kurot ng ligalig at aasamin mo na
sana ay nakakapagsalita na siya
upang bigyang hugis ang danas na sakit. #
23
Titig
Parang balon na malalim
ang iyong iyak, anak.
Lalunat di matiyak
ang pinagbubukalan ng luha.
Pinadedede ka naman.
Pinaghehele sa ugoy ng oyayi at duyan.
May kung anong kirot ang kumukurot
sa ubod ng loob kapag tinititigan mo ako
habang pumapalahaw ka at nag-aalboroto.
Dahil ang mata mo ay mata ko rin,
sabi nga nila at ng sinumang nakakakita.
Ang titig ang nagiging wika ng ating mga puso
na tahimik, matalas na nag-uusap tungkol
sa mga bagabag at alalahanin.
Ngunit hindi nagpapanagpo ang ating mga tingin.
Hindi ko tuloy masalok
ang iyong luha upang mapahid ang mga ito.
Nang kalungin ka ng iyong nanay,
naunawaan ko, mula doon ang sagot.
Sa inyo lamang mag-ina
ang wika sa gitna at pagitan ng kalawakan.
Dahil sa pagitan natin ay ang puwang na sinisisid,
pinupunan ng nanay upang mabuo ang pagtahan.
Inukit na saysay ang gramatika sa balon ng buhay:
babasaging uniberso na siyam
na buwang nakalutang sa sinapupunan. #
24
Lawas
Duyan ang yayat kong bisig,
anak, at dito kita pinaghehele.
Nang maidlip, ipinagkatiwala kita sa kuna.
Kasabay ng ngalay, ng batak ng halubigat,
hinatak ang tingin ko sa malambot na uniberso
na naiwan sa aking kanang braso.
Rabaw ng pilapil sa mga natuyong bukirin?
Kalsadat kalyehon ng mga nagdidigmaang lungsod?
Kikiwal-kiwal na bituka ng burukratismo?
Mapa ng kung saang daan
ng mga sangandaan ng isip at alalahanin?
Maraming marahil
ang dahil ng mga hilahil.
Ngunit ang tiyak ko lamang sa ngayon:
ito ang palatandaan sa iyong
limang buwan na lawas at bigat;
nagsasala-salabid ang lamat
na bumakat sa aking balat
tulad ng daldak na guhit sa palad. #
25
Pagpasok sa trabaho
Siya ay kanyang inilapag sa lamesa.
Pagkatapos, isinaksak niya ang extension cord.
Nag-charge ng cellphone.
Inilapat sa lamesa ang fan ng computer.
Ipinatong dito ang notebook.
Binuksan ito tulad ng isang bagong gising na mata.
Pinindot ang ON ng notebook.
Pinili ng mouse ang Defragmentation.
Nagtimpla ng kape.
Nang Defragmentation Complete na,
ini-restart ang computer.
Sinimulan niyang sulatin ang dapat sulatin
sa nakahanay na buong araw na gawain.
Pero bago tipain ang unang salita,
inubos muna ang kape at tinitigan siya:
ang nakakwadrong larawan na kay rikit.
Bubulong siya sa kanyang isip:
Intoy! Intoy ko! kasabay ang matipid na ngiti
at magaang na kurot ng titig sa kanyang
sa malambot na noo at pisngi.
Tahimik lang na sasagot
ang nakipagtitigang singkit na mga mata.
Alam niya, na kahit de-pindot ang maghapong trabaho,
may dahilan ang pagod;
kung bakit kailangang hindi mapagod.
At kung bakit kailangan higit na kumayod.
Dahil bukas, siya ay kanyang ilalapag muli sa lamesa. #
26
Pananabik
Kung pananabik
ay dumadaloy,
sinasambit ko lamang sa isip ang
Intoy! Intoy!
At anong mahika ang nasa salita?
Luha itong pinapalis
ang puwing na naligaw sa mata
o kurot sa puso na bumara
dahil sa nananabik kang makita. #
27
Sa kanto ng Real at Sagkahan
Ang kanto ng Real at Sagkahan sa Kalipayan,
Tacloban ang sangandaan ng mga buntonghininga.
Ng ina na akay-akay ang anak
habang patawid sa pedestrian lane
Ng drayber na nakasalat sa kambyo
habang nakaantabay sa go-signal ng traffc enforcer
Ng mga nakatalungkong padyak
habang naghihintay at nangungumbinsi ng pasahero
Ng mahabang pila ng mga tumataya sa lotto
kahit hindi pa nagsusuklay ang umagang alas-otso.
Samantala, may isang ama ang kipkip ang dyaryo;
katatawid pa lamang sa dulo ng pedestrian lane
at bitbit-bitbit ang binili niyang baby wipes, gatas at diaper.
Nadiskaril ang buntonghininga
nang muntik nang magbanggaan ang motor at padyak.
Sinulid na hininga lamang ang pagitan.
Pagkatapos, pareho silang bumubulong
habang papahiwalay, papalayo.
Ang ama naman ay papaliit na tuldok,
butil sa dulo ng pangungusap ng umaga.
Sa kanto ng Real at Sagkahan sa Kalipayan, Tacloban
kung saan nagsasangandaan ang mga buntonghininga. #
28
Pahabol sulat: Ang Tacloban

ay airport na Daniel Z. Romualdez
ay traysikol, hindi traysikel
ay Kalipayan: magkatapat ang Medhealth at Suzuki Motors
ay graffti ng Pilipinas Street Plan sa pader ng sementeryo
ay padyak na malalaki ang gulong, parang sa China
ay Bethany Hospital
ay Jollibee na katapat ng Simbahan ng Our Lady of Perpetual Help
ay higanteng in-can na Coke, Sprite at Royal
ay Robinsons kung saan nasa second foor ang LBC Express
ay RTR Hospital kung saan ipinanganak si Intoy ko
ay sina Dr. Tobio at Dr. Ayaso
ay sina Yaya at Edward
ay si Bea na gifted child at mas magaling pa sa akin kung mag-English
ay sina Rachel, Ruby at Ruthie
ay sina Mama Linda at Papa Rodolfo
ay kulay orange na gate ng bahay
ay super delayed na telecast na laban nina Paquiao at Margarito
ay pampers, mittens, cotton balls, Bonna at breastfeeding
ay Waray!, Ambot!, Limpio!
ay sina Baan at kasama nyang kaibigan
ay pier na katabi lang ang Tacloban Public Market
ay Leyte Normal University
ay St. Paul Hospital kung saan nagpa-blood test si Intoy
ay Dream Cafe
ay Cafe Lucia at Tacloban Coliseum na laging nadadaanan
ay U.P. Tacloban at Sto. Nino Shrine
ay Adventure na auto at service
ay si Richard na batang elementary student
ay boarding fee na 30 pesos
ay Amikacin at Ampicillin
ay GMA, Rose Pharmacy at Mercury Drug Store kung saan brown out
kanina
ay mga dilaw na multi-cab byaheng Downtown-Robinsons
ay signboard na San Jose, Kalipayan, Imelda-Downtown, Diritso, Palo
ay sina Leah Ramos at Baby Boy Intoy Junior ko

ay ang malamig na alas-tres na hangin ng Kalipayan, Tacloban
na bigong higupin at patuyuin, ayaw magpaampat, ang mga luha
sa pisngi dahil sa anak nyang iiwan pabalik ng Angono at Maynila. #
29
Bola
Anong hiwaga itong bolang bilog
na nakakapagsilid ng galak
at ligaya sa ngiti ng isang musmos?
Hangin ba o alangaang,
pagsasakatawang tao at paghuhugis
nang siya ay naglalaro, nakalutang
nang nasa sinapupunan?
Ito ba ang talbog, halakhak na sumasapol,
dumadampi sa dingding ng pisngi
at pinakasulok ng lugso ng puso?
Munting hugis lamang,
marahil,
na tilamsik ng aral:
bilog ang hugis ng yakap,
ang nagsasalakop
sa dalawa at nagkalayong dibdib
kung saan pumipintig ang pag-ibig. #
30
Diaper
Hugis-puwit ng bubuyog, anak,
ang diaper mong lumulundo sa bigat.
Naway sa pagsusulit ng tiyan,
natuos mo din sa pagsimsim
ang matatamis at masustansyang yakap
ng nanay at tatay
ng mga sa iyoy nagmamahal.
Naway naging himig
ang malalambot na tapik
sa hita mong
parang magkapares na chickenjoy;
naway awit itong naghatid
sa iyong kulay-bahagharing
himbing at panaginip.
Ngayon,
anak,
ang tinititigan ko
ay naging puwit ng alitaptap:
kasingningning ang kislap
kasingdalisay ng panganay
mong ngipin na sumusulyap,
sumisilip sa bintana ng iyong gilagid. #
31
Kay Intoy,
ngayong Araw ng mga Puso
Pagkagising, dadapa siya sa akin.
Bigat ng dibdib sa dibdib.
Kiskisan ng ilong.
Maraming sinasabi ang anak ko
sa mga patlang ng katahimikan.
Ngunit iniintindi namin iyon
sa kanya-kanyang pangungusap
mahabang titig na susundan ng ngiti,
hagod at haplos sa likod,
bulong at mga bilin.
Natatapos ito sa udyok:
Show me two Okay?
At imumuwestra nang munti
niyang dalawang hinlalaki ang
aprub, thumbs-up, at magkadikit
Na naghuhugis-puso. #
32
Relief Operations sa Angono
Intoy, ipinagkaloob ng tatay
sa mga nasa evacuation center
ang iyong mga pinagliitan:
ang sapatos na unang sumapo sa iyong bigat
noong pinag-aaralang mamaybay at lumakad
ang mga bolang nagpatahan sa iyong iyak
at nagpatalbog sa puso ko ng iyong inosente,
malulutong na tawa at halakhak
ang mga damit na yumakap sa iyo
noong ikaw ay nilalamig
o pangporma kapag namamasyal sa mall
o bibisita sa iyong mga tito, tita, lolot lola.
Kung saan o kanino mang kamay
sila lumapag at dumapo,
Intoy,
para sa iyo ang unang kislap
ng mga ngiti at busilak nilang pasasalamat.
Tandaan mo, anak,
nang binyagan ka sa chapel sa Sagkahan sa Tacloban
noong Bagong Taon ng 2011, malakas ang ulan.
Malakas ang ulan, walang humpay. #
(Unang nailathala sa Bagong Apak ng Lumang Talampakan, 2013)
33
Tacloban City, Hunyo 21, 2012
Minsan ko na ring
inilapat ang palad sa salaming tubig.
Kaya ito ay isang paalala o babala.
Nababalam siya dahil iyon ang kanyang kakanyahan;
ang pusod-aliw-iw ng paghihintay at pagdating
na ginigiyagis ng mga digmaan
sa loob at labas ng isip at galaw ng external.
Tingnan mo ang nakalagda sa babasaging kristal:
anino siyang nababali ang hugis sa sahig
habang tumataib ang alon-tubig dahil sa ihip ng
hangin.
Kung mangyari man,
hindi siya katuparan o kaganapan.
Dahil lagi siyang nababasag
tulad ng mga alon sa pampang.
Pakaisipin na lamang:
Siya ang buhay ng salita.
Hanggang doon lamang.
Mabubuhay siya ng ayon
sa pag-iral ng kanyang saysay. #
34
DULOK: SA LUNGSOD
NG MGA LIGALIG AT PUNTOD
I.
Sa malaot madali,
masumpungan nyo nawa
ang dulo ng ligalig.
Nakabakat sa mapa ng aming alaala
ang landas ng inyong sakit.
Kagat ito sa balat ng ulirat,
lundo ng pasa at bigat sa balikat.
Sa ngalan ng ina, anak,
at magulang sa Tacloban,
sumainyo nawa ang antanda
sa simula nang matiwasay
na paghimlay at pamamaalam.
Hayo na sa Lawa ng Cancabato,
may bangka na lumulunday
sa dulo ng alon na tinatanaw
ngayong nakasungaw
sa Bundok ng Palo ang sima-sinag.
Bigyan nyo kami ng isdang mabibingwit
at makakain araw-araw.
Bahaginan kami ng paghilom
at tikas sa pagtindog at pagbangon.
Ngunit kung hindi pa handa sa paglayag,
hayaang mga tula koy pampunas, pang-ampat
sa bukal ng pilat at umaagas na sugat. #
II
You have to understand. You are a Romualdez and the President is an
Aquino. If its not legalized, then OK you are in charge and well help you,
then thats it bahala na kayo sa buhay nyo. Mar Roxas
Kay lupit ng papel,
ang katibayan sa apdong pait
nitong burukrasya.
35
Nilamukos na papel
ang lungsod, burado
ang mga hanggahan ng pag-aari.
Tanging gumuguhit na daan ay patungo
sa kamposanto kung saan
may banlik at lumot ang mga puntod.
Kay lupit ng papel,
ang katibayan sa apdong pait
nitong burukrasya.
Walang nakalagdang
kanya-kanyang pangalan
ang huling himlayan.
Sapagkat krus ang nakatundos,
nakalagda sa noo ng lungsod. #
III
Nobyembre 8 bumagyo.
Nobyembre 14 naman ang pulong
ng mga pinuno na narekord pa sa video.
Ito ang patunay sa turuan at sisihan.
Ito ang patunay sa pag-iingat
sa kani-kanilang apelyido at pangalan.
Samantala, sa labas,
tinutuklaw ng ligalig
at kaba ang lungsod, laluna
kapag gumagapang ang dila ng gabi.
Humahaba ang listahan
ng lungkot at sawi,
pinapatid ng gutom at kirot
ng paghahanap ang huwisyo
at katinuan ng mga naulila,
nasugatan, nagugutom,
naghahagilap ng kamag-anak,
kakilala, at kaibigan.
Anim na araw na nakalantad
sa silong ng langit ang mga bangkay,
kinukumutan ng banlik at lumot
ang gutay-gutay na kalansay ng lungsod.
Nasaan ang mapagkandiling kamay
na nakaturo sa Tuwid na Daan?
Tumitimo sa balikat ng hinagap
ang mga kamay na bumitaw. #
36
IV
Sa gitna ng labi at kalansay ng syudad,
mariin nyang kinukuskos at kinukusot
ang naisalbang damit na minantsahan ng banlik.
Sinabunan at binanlawan. Pinatuyo sa araw.
Sa kanyang likuran,
wala pang isang dipa ang layo,
nakahandusay ang isang nangingitm
nang bangkay ng lalaki na apat na araw
nang hindi nare-retrieve.
Hindi niya kilala ang lalaki.
Ngunit magkarugtong at magka-upod*
ang kanilang sakit at dalamhati.
Nakalobo ang tiyan ng lalaki,
nakataas ang dalawang kamay,
na tila sumusuko sa kinahinatnan
Ng lungsod na amoy-sementeryo,
bagong kalkal ng mga pusa at aso. #
*Upod salitang Waray na kasama ang kahulugan sa Filipino
V
Pabaliktad
na nakasampay
sa aparador
ang batang lalaki,
marahil,
sampung taong gulang;
nakalaylay ang kamay.
Tumalilis
ang aso
na ngumunguya
at naglalaway. #
37
VI
May tainga ang salita.
Howl ang nakamishanang larawan
sa mabangis na buga at higop ng hangin.
Dahil ito ang kanyang tunog,
haginit at rurok ng tining.

Sa akin, higit pa dito.

Alulong ito ng mga aso;
kahol na numinipis
sa humihiwang hangin sa balat;
lumalayo
bumabalik
paikid-ikid

habang sakmal kami
ng pangil ng dilim. #
VII
Pagkatapos ng bagyo,
mag-aala-sais ng gabi.
May nagsigawan sa labas:
Tsunami! Tsunami
ang pangalawa umanong
igkas ng storm surge.

Sa balkonahe,
sa ikalawang palapag ng kapitbahay
kung saan kami nag-ebakwet,
pumipintig ang larawan ng impit na ligalig:
umaakyat sa bukid* ang mga Taclobanon.

Sa nakalambong na gabi at blackout,
tila ligaw na mga alitaptap ang mga lumilikas,
matang pang-aninaw ang hawak
nilang kandila at fashlight. #
*Bukid salitang Waray na tumutukoy sa bundok
38
VIII
Sa mga araw at panahong
walang gobyerno at walang Diyos,
tinatawag sila ng media
na looters o magnanakaw.
Pero ang hindi iniuulat,
ang kanilang nadelihinsiya
ay ipinamamahagi at ibinibigay
sa kani-kanilang
kaibigan at kapitbahay.
Sabado, Nobyembre 9
2:45PM
6 na Sky Flakes at 6 na Youngstown sardines
na may expiration date na March 2016.
3:48PM
Isang marinated na manok.
6:43PM
Nilagang baboy.
Linggo, Nobyembre 10
1:13PM
Sigarilyo na BOSS at 2 sachet ng Lactum
2:45PM
Isang plastic na bigas
4:25PM
12 piraso ng Happy diapers
4:40PM
3 pouch ng Nido
4:42PM
2 pouch ng Nescafe Classic
(na may price tag na P22.25 bawat isa)
Sa isang gasoline station,
mahaba pero maayos silang nakapila,
naghihintay ng kanilang
pagkakataon na masalinan
ng nagsasalok ang kanilang galon
39
o bote ng Coke. Ang nagsasalok:
ang nanguna sa pagbukas sa tangke ng gas.
Sa mga araw at panahong
walang gobyerno at walang Diyos,
tinatawag sila ng media
na looters o magnanakaw. #
IX
Apat na araw pagkatapos
ng bagyong Yolanda noong November 8,
isang senador ang nagpanukala
sa Malacanang na magdeklara
ng Pambansang Araw ng Pakikidalamhati.

Pinag-iisipan pa, ayon sa ulat.

Wala pang isang oras ang nakakalipas,
ngayong 8:22PM, Martes, Disyembre 17,
nagsisindi ng mga kandila ang mga taga-Tacloban
at ang mga hinipo ng pakikiramay
sa buong kapuluan

upang ipatak ng kandila
ang huling esperma ng luha
sa basa at may lumot pang lupa

upang payapang ihatid
ang mga kaluluwang naligalig
kasabay ng usok na kumakatok
sa tarangkahan ng bilog na buwan

apatnapung-araw na ang nakakaraan.

Nagdeklara ba ng Pambansang Araw
ng Pakikidalamhati ang Malacanang?

Nagkaroon ba
ng Pambansang Araw ng Panalangin?

Sino ang pangulo na naluklok
dahil sa bisa ng pipolpawer at dasal?

40
Sino ang anak ng pangulo na naluklok
dahil umangkas sa ningas ng anino
at basbas ng pipolpawer at dasal?

Sino ang mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatro
na nakidalamhati sa mga ninakawan
ng kwintas ng Martilyo Gang sa SM City?
P.S. (Pahabol-saknong)
Kahapon, January 17, 2014,
inianunsyo ng Malacanang
ang Pambansang Araw ng Panalangin.
Gagawin ito sa Lunes, January 20,
ang ika-13 taon ng People Power
kontra kay dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada.
At nang maluklok si Pangulong Gloria. #
X
Nagpa-cash-for-work
ang Tzu Chi Foundation.
Isa sa mga benepisyaryo
si Noemi Caneja, 58 taong gulang,
ng Barangay Cogon, Palo.
P8,000 ang suweldo niya.
Pero nadoble ang sobre
na iniabot sa kanya, P16,000.
Isinauli niya ang isang
sobre na may P8,000.
Hindi ito naibalita.
Kaya pinaksa ko sa tula
ang (a)lamat sa dila
ng nagtitinda ng isda. #
XI
Isang araw pagkatapos
ng bagyong Yolanda, sinabi
ni Eastern Visayas police regional director
Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria
na 10, 000 ang maaaring namatay.
41
Kinastigo siya ng Pangulo,
tinanggal sa pwesto.
2,000 hanggang 2,500 lamang
ang tinitingnan nating sinawing palad.
Batay sa pinakabagong ulat,
6,201 na ang namamatay;
1,700 naman ang nawawala.
Dagdag pa sa ulat ngayon,
January 24, 2014, halos 3 bangkay
ang nakikita at nahuhukay
araw-araw sa Tacloban.
Kung ituturing na sumakabilang-buhay
na rin ang mga nawawala, ilan na
ang may pamilyang naulila at lumuluha?
Kamusta naman kaya ngayon si Chief Soria?
Ay! ang mga bilang! Numero lamang
ang mga bangkay; masamang balita
na hindi dapat dumungaw sa mga pinto
at bintana ng telebisyon at pahayagan. #
XII
Maambon
na katahimikan.
Patid
na mga sampayan.
Kung saan-saan man
at sakaling dapuan ng antok,
may dulok*
na nakasampay sa sulok
ng idlip at tagong malay;
umaalon ang kobrekama at unan,
saklot ng banlik at lumot. #
*Dulok wikang Waray/Bisaya na pinakamalapit na singkahulugan ng
storm surge
42
XIII
Tinakluban ng higanteng
alon ang lungsod.
Paghupa.
Sa guho at hadlok,*
sisibol sa mga lumot
at puntod ang luntiang
sinag ng pagtanggap
at pagpapatawad. Titindog.
Ngunit hindi makakalimot.
Hindi. #
*Hadlok salitang Waray na singkahulugan ng takot sa Filipino
XIV
Traslacion.
Sa dagat
ng mga deboto
ng Poong Nazareno,
nagbilin
si Cardinal Tagle:
Huwag kalimutang tulungan
ang mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda.
43
Ang pag-abot.
Ang paghipo.
Ang pagbukad
ng sa iyo
at sa iyo lamang.
Tulad ng butil ng pawis
sa balat na nagiging
talulot ng bulaklak
sa lansangang
pinahaba
ng panahon. #
(Litrato ni Raymond Gappi)
44
WHATS INSIDE: SEVEN LONGEST
NIGHTS IN TACLOBAN CITY
Notes and Voices from the Ground and How We Cheated
Death Four Times; A personal and blow-by-blow account
of Tacloban City before, during and seven days after
Supertyphoon Yolanda
I have come to accept imminent death during the seven longest nights of my
life in Tacloban City.
But what inspired me to be strong and optimistic was the lesson I learned
from Mans Search for Meaning of Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor. The
book says that amid crisis failing the human spirit, one has to fnd the essence
of meaningful death as well as keep in my mind a list of concrete reasons why
human beings should endure the trials in life and eventually come out alive
and triumphant.
Thats what I did. The following are the four stronger reasons:
8.
If I die, at least I am with my family. People will remember us because of
the communal grief that struck the hearts of many Filipinos thus perhaps
consoling the gravity of grief which my relatives and loved ones might feel.
7.
No need for me to pay my bills, personal debts and institutional loans.
6.
I am clutching my Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno prayer book.
45
5. And at least, I have with me my laptop and external drive containing my
Filipino poems and writings.
On the other hand, the following are the four strongest reasons:
4.
I have to come out alive because my parents, brothers and sisters, relatives,
friends and the people of Angono are waiting for me and I dont want to fail
them.
3.
I still have unfnished work and dream of contributing something positive
in my community and province, which is to manage the Rizalhenyo online
newspaper.
2.
I have to come out alive because of my family and for my Intoy.
1.
And lastly, I have to survive simply because I want to fnish this article and
retell to the world what we have gone through.
This is the story of a strong and cute toddler named Richard Intoy R. Gappi
Jr. who was born at RTR Hospital in Tacloban City three years ago. This
is the story which I want him to read and remember in due time because it
happened during his 3rd birthday. This is the story of how we survived the
supertyphoon and cheated death four times.
Tuesday, November 5
Arrive at Romualdez airport in Tacloban City.
Wednesday, November 6
Leah, my wife, distributes invitation
cards to kids in the neighborhood for
Intoys birthday celebration to be held at
McDonalds in the citys town proper on
Saturday, November 9.
Intoys birthday.
Late lunch at Robinsons Tacloban. Intoy
plays basketball and car racing which he
calls broom broom.
46
Eat merienda at Jollibee.
Thursday, November 7
6:00PM
Watch weather updates. Tacloban was placed under Signal No. 4.
8:30PM
Radio reports that a fre is happening on Gomez Street, Sto. Nino; 4 persons
were either killed or injured.
9:00PM
Sleep.
Friday, November 8
5:35AM
Wake up because of strong winds. Storm arrives. Heavy rains pour. Blackout.
7:30AM
Heavy rains and strong winds continue.
Papa, 80 years old, is sitting on a chair in the sala holding his cane. So you
are about to experience typhoon in Tacloban, he said.
The ceiling in the sala is about to cave in, contracting and expanding
rhythmically and violently.
Clear food waters enter the main door and slowly spread in the sala. Flood
waters suddenly change its color to black.
Pointing to the ankle-deep water in the sala, Intoy exclaims Swimming!
Swimming!
8:25AM
From our room, Leah and I notice that the food waters outside are as high as
my chest already.
Flood waters rise in the sala as high as my knees.
Strong winds and heavy rains continue.
We decided to evacuate. Put my laptop inside my backpack. My sister-in-law
Ruthie tries but fails to open the main door even if it is unlocked.
47
We are lucky that we are able get out of the house using the unlocked small
side/kitchen door, which is always sealed, according to Mama, 76 years old.
Ruthie twists the door knob. Flood waters rush in and are now as high as my
leg. Plastic chairs, bark of trees where Mamas orchids are tied, and half-
empty gallons of mineral water foat, hitting our legs. We are walking slowly
because the foor is muddy and slippery.
Ruthie is the frst to get out of our house. Leah, who is holding Intoy, and I
are following her. Papa and Mama are behind me.
Fifty (50) meters away from our house, Ruthie arrives at the entrance of the
two-storey house, which serves as our temporary evacuation site. But Ruthie
comes back to assist Mama and Papa.
Leah steps out of the gate and turns over Intoy to a male neighbor who wraps
Intoy around his arms and brings him safely to the evacuation house.
Leah and I are holding each others arms while walking slowly towards the
evacuation house and fghting off the strong current. Kaya natin to, she
says.
Flood waters reach as high as my stomach and the chin of the Black Nazarene.
I was wearing my Quiapo Black Nazarene white shirt at that time. My belt bag
is soaked in water, destroying my digital camera, cellphone, among others.
Marlon, our neighbor, helps aging Papa and Mama to cross the food which
has reached 5 feet or as high as Papas stomach.
10:00AM
We are staying in one of the rooms at the second foor of the evacuation
house.
Intoy is quiet and behaved and has not shown any sign of hunger or discomfort.
More than 30 evacuees seeking temporary shelter exchange stories on how
they managed to go to the evacuation house.
Neighbor distributes Sky Flakes.
2:30PM
Winds subside. Drizzle. Flood waters recede slowly.
Surrounding neighborhood is quiet. I cant hear any wangwang or sign
of responding ambulance or members of barangay or city Disaster Risk-
48
Reduction and Management Offce.
3:00PM
A male neighbor reports that areas of San Jose and Downtown are washed
out. Two relatives of the family who owns the two-storey house where we
evacuated died in Shade near the market. Beside me, an elder woman is
crying and wiping her tears.
5:30PM
Leave the evacuation house and move back to our house. Ankle-deep food
waters in the garden.
Condition of the house: half of the concrete fence collapsed, broken tree
in the garden, black mud covers the foor. Appliances, furniture, bottles of
mineral water and a box of Intoys toys are in disarray. It is like Jackson
Pollocks abstract work.
6:30PM
Blackout.
Dinner: Rice and corned beef.
7:00PM
Knee-deep food waters outside the house.
We are about to sleep when we transferred again to the two-storey house
because people outside are shouting that a second storm surge tsunami to
the common people will happen again in the next few hours.
Residents move out of their houses feeing to the higher ground and away
from Cancabato Bay.
From the 2nd foor of the evacuation house, I see a lot of lights in Palo
mountain. People are feeing to the mountain and they look like frefies
because of the candle and fashlight guiding their path.
Ruthie is worried. Thought balloon: What if the second storm surge is true?
Mama whispers: Pray for our souls.
Never heard or saw any barangay or city offcial that would neither confrm
nor deny the reported second storm surge.
8:00PM-5:00AM
We are inside the 2nd foor of the evacuation house. People share biscuits and
49
water. Intoy is sleeping tight.
The whole day, I did not see any quick response or rescue team from barangay
or city DRRMC even if only to allay our fears and fnd out how we are coping.
We have not received any assistance like relief goods from the barangay or
city government. It might be available but it hasnt reached us yet.
Saturday, November 9
Intoys birthday party is set this afternoon at McDonalds. A neighbor reported
that it was destroyed after a boat rammed in the Downtown area.
7:25AM
Ankle-deep food waters outside the house.
7:35AM
C-130 plane is fying.
7:45AM
Ruthie receives anti-pain vaccine from a nurse neighbor and her classmate
after getting wound on her right foot when she evacuated.
Henry, nephew of my sister-in-law Rachel, arrives by bike saying that they
are all okay.
8:30AM
Breakfast: Longganisa, rice and coffee.
8:30-10:30AM
Sleep.
11:01AM
Get out of the house to buy provisions for Intoy. Knee-deep food waters
outside the gate of our house. The sky is clear, waist-deep food waters on
Kalipayan Road.
People are carrying different provisions sacks of rice, cases of beer,
computers and laptop, some are even using push cart.
At the Corner Stop on Real Street leading to Downtown, scavenging is
happening. Corner Stops glass door is broken. Holes punctured the metal
doors of Mercury Drug, Yohoo computer shop, and Leychon restaurant.
People are looking for whatever they can get. But they are not boxing out,
shoving or pushing one another.
50
I failed to buy provisions,
but I found and picked up 80
pieces of pink Babyfo baby
wipes and four (4) large
Huggies diaper foating on
the sidewalk canal in front
of Mercury Drug.
Using rainwater, two male
teen-agers clean the plastic-
wrapped goods they have
scavenged. I asked one of
them if I can buy for P200
pesos the 8 small sachets of
Bear Brand milk. He refused
because his younger brother
also needs it.
With their backs press on
the wall, three men are
drinking Light San Miguel
Beer in cans while guarding
their sacks full of goods and
provisions.
12:15PM
Lunch: Carne Norte canned goods, rice, Lucky Me pancit canton.
Knee-deep food waters outside the gate of our house.
2:45PM
Receive relief goods from our neighbor 6 Sky Flakes and 6 cans of
Youngstown sardines with expiration date of March 2016.
2:53PM
Faye, Intoys former baby sitter, arrives. She says that the talk of the town is
that one of the children of Tacloban City Mayor Romualdez died of drowning.
The mayor has also bruises and wounds in his face.
3:15PM
Leah and Faye proceed to Landbank because of reported relief goods
distribution.
3:45PM
Fetch water in the well. Gary, our neighbor and Fayes husband, carries the 1
51
gallon of water inside our comfort room.
Papa asks Garry if he and Faye can sleep in our house.
3:48PM
We receive one marinated chicken from another neighbor.
3:55PM
Another neighbor arrives in his house, unloads one sack of Sinandomeng rice
and one pail of chicken.
4:05PM
Helicopter hovers above.
4:10PM
Leah and Faye have not yet arrived.
4:12PM
Female neighbor arrives with a sack, reported that scavenging is happening at
Robinsons although there are looters who are even using pushcart to haul TV,
tablet, refrigerator, cellphone, jewelries and other appliances.
4:14PM
Sun is shining brightly.
4:16PM
Papa and Mama say: It pays to be a good neighbor. At this time, your
neighbor is your most precious jewel.
4:31PM
Helicopter hovers above.
Male neighbors are having slight drinking session.
Cellphone signal and electricity are still unavailable.
4:43PM
Ankle-deep food waters in front of the house, knee-deep on Kalipayan road.
4:55PM
Helicopter hovers just above our house.
5:15PM
Leah arrives. No government-initiated relief goods at Landbank. She says
she went to Robinsons instead and saw a lot of people scavenging for food,
52
medicines and basic necessities while a few others are looting. Two stampedes
almost happened. She saw dead bodies lined up along Real road in front of
Astrodome and Caf Lucia. Its like a Zombie land, a scene from end of the
world movie, she says.
Faye says looters are even hauling Xerox machine and LED appliances.
Leah says a good Samaritan and scavenger gave her three boxes of juice,
cookies, and ice cream cones. Robinsons almost caved in.
5:20PM
Neighbor says she got from Robinsons a jacket and umbrella worth P1,
499.00 and P400.00, respectively. She adds that Tacloban City Councilor
Cristina Gonzales, wife of Mayor Romualdez, was asking for slippers.
Intoy is asleep from 3:15PM to 5:30PM.
6:43PM
Dinner: Adobong manok (given by neighbor earlier) and rice.
We receive nilagang baboy from another neighbor.
7:30PM
Sleep inside the room of Mama and Papa.
10:35PM
Wake up.
Couple Faye and Garry arrive to say that they will be staying with us and
sleep in the house.
11:01PM
Faye knocks on the door. She says that while trying to have a pee, she noticed
a man got inside the house.
Ruthie locks the door immediately and alarms the car to get the neighbors
attention, especially those who have licensed frearms.
Ruthie and Faye are in front of the window shouting for help while fashing
their candle and fashlight.
Silence inside the room.
Gary, who is Fayes husband, is standing on the right side of the door. A bag
hangs on his right shoulder while his right hand clutches his licensed gun,
53
ready to press it once the intruder enters.
Faye holds the wooden frame of Sacred Heart image, bowing from time to
time. Thought balloon: she will use it to hit the intruder once he enters.
Mama and Papa are lying in the bed but awake. Ruthie is restless. Leah is
looking for Intoy who is sleeping soundly. I am nervous but not afraid of
what will happen. I am just holding tight my luminous Black Nazarene cross.
12:01AM
Scene ends.
Had 5 hours of sleep.
The whole day, I did not see any quick response or rescue team from barangay
or city DRRMC just to ask us if we are okay or how we are doing.
We have not also received any assistance like relief goods from the barangay
or city government. The goods might be available but have not reached us yet.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
5:30AM
Wake up.
5:40AM
Its raining hard outside.
6:15AM
Mama asks Intoy what he said
last night. Intoy replies: No
light. No aircon. No TV. No
cartoons. Many water, Intoy
says, pointing outside.
7:15AM
Intoys breakfast: two Nissin
biscuits, one cup of Tipco Aloe Vera del Monte juice, and one bottle of milk.
I reduced his milk preparation to one scoop of tablespoon but Intoy noticed
the taste and asked an additional scoop.
8:01AM
Neighbor arrives, asks if he can use the comfort room. Papa asks him whats
the news. Neighbor says scavenging and looting continue. He promised that
54
once he fnds a grocery store being scavenged, he will get food and provisions
for us and for Intoy.
9:01AM
Breakfast: rice and nilagang baboy, which we received from our neighbor
last night.
9:47AM
Helicopter hovers above.
Sun is shining brightly.
11:28AM
Three helicopters (white and black) hover above.
Leah says relief goods are available at the City Hall but tickets are being
distributed.
12:41PM
Male neighbor says cadavers to be buried in a mass grave at Balyuan.
Tacloban breathes the smell of rotten corpses.
1:13PM
Receive from a male neighbor one pack of BOSS cigarette and two sachets
of Lactum milk for Intoy.
Same neighbor says two 6 x 6 trucks gave relief goods last night at RTR
Hospital.
1:45PM
Lunch: rice and Youngstown sardines.
2:15PM
Intoy and I are in the garden. Sun is shining brightly. Intoy points and sees a
quarter moon in the sky.
2:33PM
Male neighbors are having a slight drinking session. I overheard that food
waters rose to 15 feet, frst time in the province.
2:45PM
Mama receives one plastic of rice from one of our neighbors.
3:10PM
Helicopter hovers above. Smiling children wave their hands and shout:
55
Help! Help!
Ruthie leaves the house to look for medicines for Mama and Papa.
Faye says people are scavenging food at Tina Pie, a grocery on Kalipayan
road near us.
Leah proceeds to Tina Pie where scavenging is happening.
3:55PM
Leah returns, says scavengers gave her food and other goods.
Intoy is eating ice cream cone. Thank you, Nanay, Intoy said.
3:57PM
Leah gives leftover foods to a male neighbor who owns pigs. The male
neighbor says that four of his relatives died and one is still missing.
4:00PM
Intoy and Leah take a bath at neighbors well. Wala ng mahirap at mayaman
ngayon, the lady neighbor said.
4:25PM
Intoy receives 12 pieces of Happy diapers from a neighbor.
4:33PM
C-130 plane hovers above.
Male neighbor with motorcycle unloads six (6) cases of beer. Parang
piyesta! he said.
Neighbors are outside sharing stories.
4:40PM
Intoy receives three pouches of Nido milk from a female neighbor.
4:42PM
Mama receives two pouches of Nescafe Classic (with handwritten price tag
of P22.25 each) from a neighbor.
4:45PM
Intoy enjoys watching half moon and helicopter/airplane hovering above us.
5:05PM
Intoy receives 20 large Pampers diaper from her Tita Rachel, who visited us
56
for the frst time after the storm.
Neighbor unloads 24 cases of 1 liter Red Horse beer and two (2) cases of 1
liter Coke.
6:30PM
Ruthie arrives home, bringing with her different medicines for Leah, Mama
and Papa. Scavengers gave her medicines, Ruthie said.
7:30PM
Dinner: Rice and sardines.
8:45PM
Long wang wang. Firefghters respond to a fre visible from our house.
9:15PM
Sleep.
10:31PM
Wake up.
Mayhem happens. Male neighbors are chasing unidentifed men who are
running on the roof of our house. Neighbors wave their fashlight.
Were inside the room of Mama and Papa.
Lock the door! Lock the door! Ruthie shouted, who was outside the house.
I am holding my Nazareno cross while fanning Intoy who is sleeping soundly.
Ruthie and Marlon get inside. Marlon pounds and nails down the door which
the intruder would possibly use to get inside the house.
11:01PM
Silence.
12:01AM
Mayhem happens again. Neighbors chase two unidentifed men believed to
be burglars one and half hours earlier.
The whole day, I did not see any quick response or rescue team from barangay
or city DRRMC just to ask us if we are okay or how we are doing. We have
not received any relief goods from the barangay or city government. These
might be available but havent reached us yet.
57
Monday, November 11
6:35AM
Wake up.
7:50AM
Breakfast: rice and fried eggs.
Neighbors bags are pack and are ready to leave.
Neighbor says only 30 out of 200 policemen in Tacloban reported for duty.
Neighbors say Martial Law has been declared in Tacloban City.
8:01AM
Preparing to leave the house. Put in my bag some photos of Leah and Intoy,
a few clothes for Intoy and his Jollibee and Barney stuff toys, my laptop, and
images of Christ and Mama Mary. I inserted in two different plastic sachets
my ATM/GSIS cards and cash money in my left and right socks, respectively.
I also wrap in plastic my notes and hide these in my underwear.
9:47AM
Rachel arrives in the house, says prisoners in Abuyog City Jail were released
because of humanitarian reason otherwise they will die of drowning. The
city jail houses convicted prisoners and is equivalent to Muntinlupas Bilibid
prisons.
Helicopter hovers above. Sun is shining brightly.
Leg-deep food waters on Kalipayan road.
9:50AM
Drizzle.
10:45AM
Papa thanks neighbor Marlon for being a good Samaritan. It was Marlon who
assisted Papa to get into to the evacuation house.
Neighbors say that relief goods are being distributed at RTR, says one
neighbor who just got items such as caserola, half sack of NFA rice, noodles
and sardines.
10:55AM
Female neighbor says 20 cadavers are still lying in front of Astrodome.
58
11:19AM
Car leaves the house and heads towards Rachels house, a 15-minute drive
away from the city proper.
Brought all possible and needed provisions and materials medicines, food
and copies of legal documents. Intoy is only wearing shirt and diaper because
its hot and he wants to feel comfortable.
11:20AM
People walking along Real road and Astrodome are wearing masks. Others
wrap t-shirts around their face.
Rachel is crying.
Saw seven (7) bodies in front of Astrodome gate.
One body inside the sack of rice is tied on both ends of bamboo pole, ready
to be retrieved.
Saw 3 bloated and black bodies again.
People covering their noses.
Saw 5 bodies covered by roof sheets (yero).
One body inside black plastic.
C-130 plane hovers above Astrodome.
11:28AM
Ruthie, who is driving our car, asks for diesel at Petron gas station but
unavailable.
11:32AM
Men wearing PULIS green t-shirt carry long frearms on their shoulders
guard another Petron gas station.
Homeless residents young, old, men, women, children and infants are
lying, sleeping, sitting on the sidewalk and seeking refuge under roofs of
business establishments along the road.
I did not see any tent city.
11:37AM
Police guard another Petron gas station.
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While we are traversing Maharlika hi-way towards Rachels house, I saw an
ABS-CBN car with plate number ZGY 775. I ask Ruthie, who is driving the
car, to overtake the ABS-CBN car where I saw news reporter Atom Araullo.
Our car stops and cuts in. Atom frowns and concern is painted in his face. I got
out of the cars backseat, show my Rizalhenyo MEDIA identifcation card,
and introduced myself to Atom that, like him, I was once part of STAND-UP.
I ask him to relay to my family that I am alive and safe.
11:39AM
Our car bogs down, engine fails to start.
Rachel gets out of the car to look for a mechanic in her neighborhood who
will assist us. She fags down a motorcycle driven by her neighbor Jaypee.
Car is stranded along Maharlika hi-way.
On our right side is a barren, brown mountain (Palo mountain) and a lone
house made of light materials with a black paint, handwritten sign written on
plywood: SOS, FOOD & H20.
Ruthie and Leah get out of the car to look for a mechanic after a car owner
said that theres a mechanic nearby.
12:48PM
Leah, Ruthie, Rachel and the mechanic arrive, who quickly fxed the car
engine.
12:52PM
The mechanic says the car needs to be pushed to restart. Rachel asks help
from DPWH men, who are walking and leaving the Tacloban City proper.
Cars engine restarts.
A Red Cross volunteer, who helped pushing the car, said that 90% of Guiuan
town was devastated.
1:08PM
Arrive safely at Rachels house.
1:31PM
Lunch: rice, Omega tuna and meat loaf.
3:03PM
Two (2) C-130 planes hover above.
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3:13PM
Overhear one minute wang-wang of ambulance along Maharlika hi-way.
3:15PM
Two (2) C-130 planes hover above.
3:31PM
Helicopter with white and black body hovers just above our house.
3:45PM
Intoy is playing the bikes of his two female cousins, who were evacuated in
Samar a day after the storm.
4:10PM
Rachel says a chopper arrives at a school nearby to distribute relief goods.
The law is nothing here, says Rachel, a lawyer.
5:00-5:15PM
Rachel talks to her neighbors and village security watchers, who are having a
meeting to discuss roving patrol and security measures.
5:20PM
Henry, who is Rachels relative, hands out 8 pieces of canned goods.
5:33PM
Neighbor says that a 6:00PM curfew has been imposed by the military.
Neighbor says that 20 boats from Guiuan, Samar are on standby, ready to
dock near Astrodome. Guiuan is one of the typhoons most affected areas.
6:05PM
Evacuate to a neighbor at the house of Manang Cristy -- where there are
many men who can guard and defend us.
Military release a shoot-to-kill-order to all those outside of their houses after
7PM, according to a neighbor.
Ruthie says a neighbor is offering free call service using satellite network. I
lined up. About 10 persons are ahead of me. But I got out of the line because
of the news that nearby, a doctor was killed by tulisanes or lawless elements.
In panic, like rats, we went back to our houses.
8:40PM
Ruthie and Rachel came back after availing themselves of free call. Rachel
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says she got assurance from her husband Bart that their daughters are safe in
Samar.
Rachel also says she has contacted Ruby, her younger sister, over the phone.
Ruby and the bus that will be used for our evacuation is in Quezon province
already en route to Tacloban to provide relief goods.
The evacuation plan was prepared and headed by Jovert, who acts as the
groups captain.
10:15PM
Half moon shining brightly. Male village security watchers stop two
motorcycle riding men to check on their identity.
Village security watchers play cards to stay awake.
11:12PM
Our hosts daughter-in-law, Ruthie and Rachel are chatting.
Ruthie says for Napoles to redeem herself, she should donate to Tacloban and
typhoon victims the money she got from the pork barrel scam.
Our hosts daughter-in-law says looters who ransacked establishments for
reasons other than food and medicines give bad image to Tacloban City.
Rachel says that for investors, looting in Tacloban would add high risk and
thus increase premium in insurance.
11:13PM
Moderate rains.
Arguments arise on whether looting is ethically acceptable or not. I
overheard that looting is acceptable only if food and medicines are taken. Its
a different thing if computers, appliances, jewelries and money are hauled,
our hosts daughter-in-law says.
11:15PM
Rains stop.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
5:58AM
Wake up. Intoy is holding his toys, urging me to play with him.
62
6:30AM
Heavy rains.
9:00AM
Rains stop.
Breakfast: coffee, noodles, sardines.
10:30AM
Male neighbor Rachels friend says that people are desperate and hot-
headed already.
Hold-upping and rape cases have taken place in Samar, two other neighbors
say.
11:49AM
Two helicopters hover above. Cloudy sky, slight wind. Ankle-deep food
waters in front of Rachels house.
12:05PM
Play with Intoy: Shoot the Ball, Yatigidigtigidig, read short story and review
counting 1 to 10.
12:58PM
Try SUN broadband, signal is still unavailable.
Rachel says Pagasa has spotted a new storm heading for Surigao province.
1:31PM
Lunch: Noodles, corned beef with sliced tomatoes.
Henry, Rachels relative, arrives after buying gasoline priced at P50 per liter.
Says he was able to buy P900 of gasoline, flling out of the 1 gallon.
2:02PM
Proceed to a neighbor offering free call service; lined up already but will
resume at 6:00PM. Service provided by Smart.
2:30-3:00PM
Play with Intoy: Yatigidigtigidig, catch the ball, and piggybacking to
the tune of Angonos marching band of Lucio San Pedro and Sayaw ng
Higante dyan dya ran dyan dyan, dyan dyan ran dyan, dyan! Dyararadyan!
Dyararadyan! Dyararandyandan!
63
3:15PM
Heavy rains.
3:29PM
Neighbor arrives with one sack of provisions containing junk foods, noodles,
Great Taste coffee, and sardines with August 2016 expiration date.
4:05PM
Arguments arise because aging Papa and Mama again refuse to leave
Tacloban. They want to transfer to nearby towns of Alangalang or Carigara.
6:10PM
Village male security watchers set up barricades using bark of trees, steel
sheets, stones and lamp posts felled down by the storm.
6:50PM
First time to see authority a roving Abuyog police patrol car. Emergency
lights are blinking but no wangwang. At the back of the patrol car, a man
guards furniture, chairs and tables made of Narra wood.
Fall in line for SMART satellite free call. But the weather is extremely cloudy.
7:00PM
Satellite network/phone is not working.
Ask a lady behind me if I could text, she acceded. While typing my message,
I overheard that shes a UST student. She said that Globe has a two-bar signal
which you just need to raise your cellfone to send message.
SENT.
Texted Perps Gappi (our youngest sister) and contacted my family for the frst
time, four (4) days after the storm.
7:02PM
Long ringing of bell signaling that an adjacent area is being attacked by
intruders and looters.
All family members hurriedly evacuate from Rachels house and transfer to
our neighbor Manang Cristy.
Village watchers become uneasy; advise all residents to lock the gates and
doors inside the house.
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7-10PM
Heard 8 sporadic gunshots. Dark, cloudy sky. Long barking of dogs nearby.
Roofs fipping because of strong winds due to typhoon Zorayda. Heavy
rains.
Silence. Overhear sporadic gunshots from afar.
We have not received any relief goods from the city government. These might
be available but have not reached us yet.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
5:30AM
Wake up after two hours of sleep.
6:00AM
Leave Manang Cristys house and move back to Rachels house.
6:40AM
Bart, who is Rachels husband, arrives from Samar. Rachel chokes and cries.
Receive from Bart the medicines for Leah, Mama and Papa which Ruby
bought in Manila. There are also new short, t-shirt and shoes for Intoy, who
insisted to wear these immediately.
Ruthie gives anti-biotics medicines to Manang Cristy.
7:00AM
Arguments arise because Mama and Papa are having second thoughts again
on whether to leave Tacloban or not. Mama wanted to go to Carigara.
Breakfast: Beef cup noodles, Great Taste coffee (given by neighbor), rice,
and Omega tuna.
7:40AM
Ready to leave Rachels house.
Collected Intoys two toys Jollibee and Barney stuff toys provisions, legal
documents, hard copy of Leahs poetry, and transcript of records.
9:30AM
My two bags are packed and I am also ready to go.
9:43AM
Intoy is singing: A, B, C, D, E end G, W, S, Y and Z.
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10-10:30AM
Play race car with Intoy.
10:32AM
Low fying helicopter hovers above the house. Intoy and I wave. Intoy smiles
and exclaims: Hello, Hello!
10:40AM
Intoy scribbles and doodles in a paper producing images which he says look
like bicycle, cake and payung (umbrella). He asks me to draw Mickey
Mouse.
10:48AM
Intoy is at the dining table with Papa and Mama, who prods him to sing.
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Intoy points to a food in the table. Pancit tanton, he said. Mama and Papa
smile.
11:45AM
Manang Cristys grandson asks for a gallon of potable water from Leah.
12:15PM
Two neighbors, one of them Rachels mechanic, says the NPAs and military
exchanged gunfres at Downtown, the heart of Tacloban City.
Upon hearing this, Papa commented: We have been like this since time
immemorial.
Mamas take: They are not NPAs but prisoners, unorganized crime groups
who were freed and are now using their guns they got from the Abuyog Jail
armory.
12:30PM
Henry, Rachels relative, arrives; hands to me two packs of Fortune 10s
worth P1 per stick, which I asked him earlier to buy for me.
1:10PM
After traveling for 48 hours from Manila just to get to Tacloban, my sister-
in-law Ruby arrives.
Ruby hugs Papa.
Ruby hands to me 40 pieces of my anti-arthritis medicine, P5,000, and 4
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boxes of relief goods coming from my family, my sister Rheas offcemates
and Angono people.
1:20PM
Except for Rachels daughters who are already safe and are staying in Samar,
all family members are complete.
3:01PM
Mama says Palo Cathedral has blessed 300 cadavers to be buried in a mass
grave. Many others are uncollected.
3:17PM
Rachel disproves that NPAs and military exchanged gunfre. She said the
shooting was caused by hot-headed and desperate men trying to buy gasoline.
3:30PM
Family members share stories.
6:30PM
Dinner: Different kinds of canned goods, noodles.
7:00PM
Family discusses the future of Tacloban, family plans. Overhead that it would
take 2 years before Robinsons reopens.
7:30PM
Inside Rachels room, about to sleep.
7:57PM
Gunshot fred.
8:03PM
Gunshot fred again nearby. Village security watchers are shouting. Intruders
have entered the area, fve houses away from our house.
Bart, who is Rachels husband, is leading the security groups attack. Rachel
is worried and crying.
Rachel says gunshots coming from homeowners.
Silence for 15 minutes.
All family members are inside the house. Gate and doors are locked.
Intoy is sleeping tight. I am fanning him using my right hand while my left
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hand is holding the lighter and my Nazareno prayer book. I am nervous but
not afraid of what will happen.
Is this how you live every night? I thought it was just an exaggeration?
Ruby commented.
Inside Rachels room, Papa shares his Japanese period and World War II
experience in Carigara. He said his mother scolded a Japanese soldier who
grabbed him to do force labor. He is just 7 years old! Papa says, quoting his
mother. The Japanese left Papa alone.
During Martial Law, I did not experience fear, Papa said.
9:25PM
Long siren.
9:35PM
Security watchers are chatting and laughing wildly.
9:45PM
Gunshot fred.
10:10PM
Bright moon. Sky full of stars.
3:15AM
Intoy wakes up, drinks his milk. Looks for his new shoes given by Ruby. He
sleeps again.
We have not received any relief goods from the barangay or city government.
These might be available but have not reached us yet.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
7:20AM
Leave Rachels house and head towards the meeting place/departure area.
7:25AM
Were at the cars backseat. Along Maharlika hi-way, a sign reads on the
faade of a two-storey house: WE WILL GET OUT OF THIS MESS. WE
WILL SURVIVE.
7:30AM
Woman carries an image of Sto. Nino. Long lines of people trying to fetch
water and buy gasoline.
68
Tears are fowing down my cheeks.
Three military men guard a store selling motorcycle spare parts.
7:40AM
Arrive at the venue/departure area.
9:30AM
Jets parents lead the prayer. Jet is one of the organizers of the evacuation
mission.
9:45AM
Meet Jet who was busy issuing instructions to four men assisting the evacuees.
10:15AM
Moderate rains.
A doctor checks on the blood pressure of aged evacuees and senior citizens;
hands out medicines.
We are staying in a house located in an uphill area along Abucay road,
providing a panoramic view of Tacloban and Palo mountain.
Evacuation organizers discuss safe and secured roads.
Evacuees pool in all their canned goods to prepare for lunch. Evacuation
organizers are cooking.
Waiting for other evacuees to arrive.
11:15AM
Intoy is roaming around.
Intoy, stop. This is not our house.
Intoy points his fnger.
What are you looking for?
Ji-sus.
Brought out my Nazareno prayer book.
This one?
Intoy nods and kisses my prayer book.
12:45PM
Lunch: Paksiw, alimango, rice.
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1:15PM
Other evacuees arrive. Were expecting 47 people listed in the passengers
manifesto.
Intoy is crying because he saw a plastic of Jollibee from a fellow female
evacuee, perhaps a year older than him. I want Jollibee. Jollibee! Jollibee!
1:30PM
Despite dark clouds and heavy rains covering Palo mountain, two helicopters
are hovering above us.
1:52PM
Rains stop. Palo mountain reappears.
2:30PM
Loading starts. We are occupying Seat No. 19 and 20 of the Super 5 bus with
body number 818.
3:08PM
Bus leaves Tacloban City.
3:20PM
Red paint and a handwritten sign on the road reads, on my right in front of
the concrete terrace of a dilapidated middle class house: PRAYER HOLDS.
WE LOVE TACLOBAN.
Three cars pile up, red one on top.
Bark of trees, woods, steel sheets press on a fattened jeepney, showing only
its green plate number which I failed to record.
5:45PM
Rachel gets off in Samar.
11:00PM
Arrive in Allen, Northern Samar to take a boat ride towards the port of
Matnog, Sorsogon.
Friday, November 15, 2013
12:15AM
Our boat/barge leaves Allen, Samar; heading towards the port of Matnog,
Sorsogon.
Intoys frst time to ride a boat.
70
12:49AM
Intoy vomits Mountain Dew which he drunk earlier.
1:15AM
Boat docks at the port of Matnog, Sorsogon.
4:49AM
Arrive at Daraga, Albay where a host is providing us breakfast. Jets father
leads the prayer before breakfast.
Breakfast: Lugaw, pandesal and suman.
Evacuees took selfe photos with Mayon Volcano in the background.
5:30AM
Half of the evacuees transported to another rest house of our host to give us
more time to rest, take a bath and sleep.
Overheard from the female caretaker of the rest house that she will bet on
numbers 8 and 18 (our bus number) in todays hueteng or local number
lottery because she believes that these are lucky numbers.
Intoy is playing paint/doodle in my laptop.
Watch videos and photos of Intoy playing car racing and basketball at
Robinsons Tacloban on November 6 during his birthday.
10:20AM
Leave the rest house and proceed to Daraga proper to meet again the other
evacuees.
Jets father leads the prayer before breakfast/lunch.
10:36AM
Brunch: Adobong manok, laing, Bicol express, galunggong, and rice.
11:10AM
Evacuees thank and hug the hosts and house helpers.
Buy Cornetto ice cream for Intoy.
Leave Daraga, Albay.
71
11:47PM
After traveling by bus for almost 33 hours, we fnally arrive at Sea Oil Gas
Station on the corner of Tuazon Street in Cubao/Manila.
Before getting off the bus, I brought out my Nazareno prayer book from my
beltbag, pressed it on my lips, and recited a short prayer.
Evacuees thank drivers and escorts.
Intoy smiles and waves at the drivers assistant.
Perps Gappi (our youngest sister) gets inside the bus and takes pictures. My
sister Rhea and her husband Sajid welcome us, chat with Ruby and Ruthie.
Ruby, Ruthie, Papa and Mama are now on their way to Quezon City at Rubys
apartment after waiting for about 20 minutes.
En route to Angono, Rizal.
Inside Rheas car which Sajid is driving, I am drinking San Miguel beer in
can. I asked this earlier from Perps to help me get tipsy and have a good
nights rest and sleep because I just had 2 hours of sleep for the past three
nights.
Saturday, November 16
12:40AM
Arrive in Venus Compound, Angono, Rizal.
Late dinner: Noodles, daing (smoked fsh) and chicken wings.
72
73
MGA UNANG UMAGA NG PAGBABALIK,
MAYO 1, 2014
I.
Papel ang hamog sa salamin na nasa hardin. Idiniin ni
Intoy ang hintuturo niya sa rabaw, iginuhit ang iba't ibang
hugis. Nag-doodle din siya at nagdrowing habang nag-e-
eybisidieefgi.
Tumitiririt ang mga ibon, naninimbang sa mga kawad ng
kuryente. Hinahanap ko ang mga dumi ng ibon. Pero wala na
ang mga ito. Binubura ng 5:30 umaga ang mga nakabakat sa
papel na hamog sa salamin na nasa hardin.
Ngayong unang umaga ng pagbabalik sa Tacloban, ang
minsang Lungsod ng mga Ligalig at Puntod. #
II.
Sa hardin. Sa tanang buhay.
Pinakapayat at pinakamaliit na tutubi,
kulay hangin ang katawan, luntian
ang ulo; dumapo sa puklo ng damo na
bahagyang napayuko.
Tumitig uli sa ere ang damo paglipat
at paglipad ng tutubi. Ngayong unang
umaga ng pagbabalik.
Sumunod na umaga, naulit ang tagpo:
pinakapayat at pinakamaliit, kulay hangin. Ngunit ngayon, kulay pula na
ang puklo ng ulo.#
III.
Tiririt ng mga ibon. Dupikal ng pako at martilyo sa kahoy na gulugod ng
bubong. Pitong taong gulang na lalaki na tumatakbo, pinalilipad ang plastic
na saranggola. Na sumabit sa kawad ng kuryente. #
74
IV.
May mukha at damdamin ang
ulap sa silong na luntian nang
Bundok ng Palo. Sa pampang
ng Cancabato, tinatakluban;
ibinubunyag; tinatakluban;
ibinubunyag nang itim na kumot
ng alon ang kalahating katawan ng
puno ng niyog. Kahit ang ulap na
nakalambitin sa hangin, matalas
ang titig at tingin. #
V.
Bukas ang kanang pisngi ng pinto ng chapel sa Sagkahan. Nakalupasay,
nakasandal dito ang isang babaeng, marahil, 15 taong gulang, nakalugay
ang matigas at mahabang buhok, kulay berde ang t-shirt na suot. Katabi
sa kanyang kanan na balakang ang bilog na make-up na may salamin at
isang pakete na kulay berde. Sipit ng kanyang kanang hintuturo at gitnang
daliri ang sigarilyo na Mighty. Kung saan-saan umalagwa ang usok
pagkabuntonghininga niya. #
VI.
Higanteng mga ugat, nakalantad sa island ng Magsaysay
Boulevard. Sa katapat:
Univ ity the hi ppines
TACLOBAN CO GE
1973. #
VII.
Sa gilid ng lumang daan sa Sagkahan, nakahilera ang mga nagtitinda ng
isda na kasinghaba ng ruler, mga dalawa at kalahating pulgada ang laki;
kumikinang ang mga kaliskis sa tama ng alas-5:00 ng hapon.
Tent City ng USAID at UNHCR.
75
Amoy lumot ang hininga ng Lawa ng Cancabato na marahang sinusuklay
ng hangin ang mga alon. #
VIII.
Dumadampi ang magaan na mga
ambon sa tuka ng mga ibon na
sabay-sabay, nagkokoro ng tiririt at
twittwittwit.#
IX.
Sa lunsaran ng paghihintay at pagdating, mas mabilis, marahil, ang
pagtatagpo ng mga titig.
Sapagkat walang salamin, labas-masok ang hangin. #
76
EPILOGO
Si Intoy sa Lakeside Park, Wawa, Angono, Rizal
(Sa ika-apat na buwan ng Yolanda ngayong Marso 8, 2014)
Dinala ko siya dito
upang binyagan,
hugasan at palisin
ang putik at lumot
na nakabakat
sa kanyang noo.
Damu tubig.
Many water!
Nakabukad,
nakalatag ang kanyang
mga munting braso.
Dinala ko siya dito
upang binyagan
upang matutuhan
na ang tubig at dagat
ay isang kaibigang
handang maging palaruan
sa babasagin niyang
tanaw at talampakan.
Kahit sa isang
natatanging minsan,
inagawan siya
ng mga paborito
niyang laruan.
Huwag
matakot, anak,
sa ngalan ng ulan
sa ngalan ng tubig
sa ngalan ng dagat. #