Typhoon Odette Coverage: Compassion in Crisis

COMPASSION IN CRISIS

AN INTER-SCHOOL STUDENT-RUN PUBLICATION

IN COLLABORATION WITH SIX HIGH-SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

IN COLLABOR

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RATION WITH

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CONTENTS

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(1) COLLABORATORS (3) CONTENTS (5) A LETTER FRIOM THE EDITORS (7) CREDITS PERSONAL STORIES AND INTERVIEWS (13) MR GILMER ON TYPHOON ODETTE (17) GINATILAN (19) A PERSONAL STORY (23) ETERNITY OF AN AFTERMATH THE EFFECTS (27) TYPHOON ODETTE LED TO EXTREME DIFFICULTIES ESPECIALLY TO THE NATION’S POOREST (29) CHRISTMAS IS HERE! (31) WHAT IT SHOWS ABOUT THE GOVERNEMNT (37) TYPHOON ODETTE AGGRIVATES CURRENT COVID-19 SPIKE (39) “FILIPINO RESILIENCE” (41) CLIMATE CHANGE (43) ROAD TO RECOVERY RELIEF EFFORTS (47) UP-TO-DATE NEWS VS. TYPHOON ODETTE (49) BETTER HELP (51) GIVE LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS (53) HEALTHCARE IN HEINOUS TIMES (55) RELIEF EFFORTS WITHIN THE BEARCAT COMMUNITY (57) THE “NO EXCUSES” DONATION GUIDE (59) READINESS RESILIENCY AND RECOVERY (61) “AFTER THE STORM” BY SOPHIE FLORENCIO

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“Let perseverance be your engine and hope your fuel.”

-H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 5

a letter from the editors...

Following a year that brought with it fires, earthquakes, snow storms, and seemingly endless streams of COVID variants, there was little the world looked forward to more than settling down with their families and bidding it a peaceful farewell. With a consistent decline in daily Philippine COVID cases and some schools’ gradual transition to hybrid classes, such hopes were far from wishful thinking for most Filipinos. However, as students scrambled to submit the last of their semester’s work and everyone finalized their plans for the holidays, it soon became clear that the nation hadn’t seen the last of 2021 just yet.

On the 16th of December, the Philippines was devastated by one of the most catastrophic typhoons. Locally known as Odette and internationally recognized as Rai, it was recorded as the strongest typhoon to have hit the province of Mindanao in over a decade.

Similarly, Rai was one of the strongest hurricanes on Earth last year, being the sixth to reach Category 5: the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, which indicates a typhoon’s capacity for damage.

The super typhoon made nine landfalls over several provinces, primarily in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, before exiting the Philippines on the 18th of December. In its path of destruction, it left behind 420,000 hectares of damaged land and displaced around half a million people. The typhoon also caused $215 million worth of damage to the agricultural sector and about

$330 million worth of damage to its infrastructural counterpart. Odette impacted over 7.4 million people in over ten regions, but the province of Siargao, the first region to be approached by the typhoon, bore its brunt. With maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour, the approach of Typhoon Odette had been anticipated by residents of Siargao. However, what they hadn’t anticipated was just how strong it was, for its strength extended beyond what they’d expected and prepared for; a significant number of civilians were left vulnerable to the torrential rains, brutal winds, landslides, and storm surges that came with the hurricane. The warnings failed to attest to the severity of the typhoon because it had intensified from a mere tropical storm into a catastrophic Category 5 super typhoon just a few hours before it had made landfall.

Erich Paredes, Ella Sy, Meg Pio de Rosa, Piper Yu Xiying Tham Tham

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ELLA SY

Editor-in-Chief

ARIEL WILK

PIPER YU

Art Director

Managing Editor

ALAIRE DOMINGUEZ

XIYING THAM

Creative Director

Senior Editor

LUCY CLIFF

DANIELLA CADUNGOG

SHANIAH YU

POLINA SKOKOV

ALEXANDRA SIY

GABRIELLE TIU

ANITA VILLANUEVA

DANIA ENCINCAS

MARTIZA LUFTI

ELA GARCIA

Photography and Video Head

Graphic Designer

Marketing Director

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

Photographer

TONEE GARCIA Photographer

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ROXY FABELLA

MEG PIO DE RODA

BEA LIAO

DENISE ANG

Writer

Writer

Writer

Writer

SOPHIE FLORENCIO Artist

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ERICH PAREDES

JULIA ONGKING

Writer

Editor

MISCHKA TIANGCO Visual

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ALTHEA OCOMEN

KHLOE LIM

MARTIKA NOVAL

AUSTIN BUAN

JELLIANA TOLENTINO

JOSH LIM

Writer

Writer

Writer

Writer

Writer

Writer

STEPHANIE LAI

GABRIELLE VILLANUEVA

MAYA TUVIERA

MIN YOUNG KIM

MATTHEW CABILES

ABRI WILSON

Writer Writer

Writer

Writer Writer

Writer

JOSEPH REYES Photography

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Personal Experience Interview MR GILMER on Typhoon Odette

By PIPER YU

Typically in situations like Typhoon Odette, the news is our only source of information. We aren’t given the full picture of the impact and mass-devastation caused nationally.

So, to hear more about the impact of this typhoon, Zoe, Raine, and I spoke to Mr. Gilmer, who was in Siargao when the typhoon struck.

Mr. Gilmer described recalling his experience as “opening a can of worms”. According to him, the “common experience” started on Wednesday. He was one of the first to be evacuated, but more and more people eventually followed. He remembered that the weather was still “normal” at this time - around category 2 - so

No one on the island [did].”The experience was shocking for everyone.

Mr. Gilmer noted that “[they] were all kind of completely unprepared for what was about to unfold for the next few days.

By 11 o’clock [the following day], it was getting to a point where… debris was flying around.” It was difficult for him and everyone, because only when you are safe “can you start thinking about helping other people.”

On a lighter note, Mr. Gilmer mentioned that he has “lots of friends still on the island” and that we, as a country, are “lucky” to be in the “no one was really worried” second stage of the relief efforts.”

People now have access to “water Yet suddenly at 11 o’clock, their filtration units and food donations signal was completely lost. The “ty- [that have been] coming in,” which phoon [had] upgraded to a ‘category he describes as “really helpful.”

5 super typhoon”, but “[they] didn’t get that information.

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As students, he believes we can create an impact too. Typhoon Odette mustn’t “be forgotten”; he says that the tropical cyclone no longer garners as much attention, “but it’s very much still ongoing, now more than ever. People are needing support to rebuild their lives.” Mr. Gilmer adds that if the incident does end up forgotten,

“the island’s not going to recover.”

He feels that “one of the biggest lessons we can take” is to learn from this experience in order to prevent it in the future. According to him, “doing our best to relate to people’s stories and talk to people that have experienced it and gone through it” is a great way to educate ourselves about what happened. Similarly,

“a great way moving forward would be for us to reach out to local communities and really hear from them.”

In terms of actual tangible action, we students can also help by cleaning up. “There is trash, there is metal, there is debris everywhere, all over all the streets.” But he believes that “right now, the best way to create sustained impact is by looking into a mitigation strategy.

Having generators available, stronger structures for houses, and most importantly, information.”

To hear the full interview of Mr. Gilmer’s experience in Siargao, join Zoe, Raine and Piper on BSM’s Spotify Podcast: Winston on Air!

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Graphics by: Shaniah Yu

Ginatilan

an interview by DANIELLA CADUNGOG with an affected family member This interview was conducted over a series of text messages. Unfortunatley, the interviewee’s internet was not strong enough for a proper onine meeting . This was due to the deplorable state the typhoon had left the interviewee’s area.

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A Personal Story by: BEA LIAO I was in Northern Cebu when the Typhoon Odette hit. We were aware that a super typhoon was coming so everyone was hastily preparing supplies so that if the typhoon really did strike, we’d be prepared for any kind of emergency. My grandmother, a barangay captain, prepared a nearby elementary school as an evacuation center and began evacuating everyone who lived within close proximity to the beach. In fact, I was also forced to move because my house was situated near the beach and my immediate family was in Manila.

Typhoon Odette hit during the first day of my Christmas break; The power cut out at around 5 p.m. same day and continued on for the next two days. We had emergency flashlights and power banks prepared, but it was apparent that these would not suffice.

Then, we were informed that the

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electricity could be out for the entire month of December. Naturally, my family members panicked.

We didn’t want to spend Christmas and New Year with no power, and we were really far apart too!

It was bad: we had to line up in the Municipio to charge our gadgets just to contact my parents.

Nonetheless, I am thankful that the typhoon did not truly devastate the northern areas of Cebu.

Considering the damage how it ravaged Cebu City and other southern provinces, we got off easy. The rain eventually stopped at around midnight, and I was glad to see that the trees and power lines in my province were still intact.

Throughout the storm, my Tita and cousins attempted “escaping” to Cebu City at the last minute, thinking that the typhoon would hit harder in the provincial areas.

Unfortunately this wasn’t the case and most did not make it to their destination: the rain became too strong for them to see anything, and the strong wind prevented them from traveling any further.

When we called to check up on them, they told us that their cars had flipped over and they were stranded. However, nobody from my area could offer them immediate assistance, as no one wanted to risk leaving the safety of the north.

There were no buildings in the provinces to block people from the heat, which, combined with the fact there was no electricity to power aircons and electric fans, made it unbearably hot.

In fact, my niece was rushed to the nearest hospital from the excessive vomiting and nosebleeds caused by the heat on Christmas Eve. After four days, the power returned and we were able to spend Christmas and New Year with lights. Despite this, flights were cancelled and roads were blocked.

As the rain died down, the rest of my relatives left to pick up my stranded Tita and cousins. Although it should have only taken a total of 6 hours, the trip actually lasted 18 hours, as most of the roads near and in the city were blocked by fallen trees and utility poles.

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This meant my immediate family in Manila could not to fly to Cebu and I could not fly back to Manila for Christmas. Although it wasn’t the best situation to be in, I still consider myself to be quite lucky, especially considering what my other relatives and friends who were left behind in the city had to go through.

only did they face the problem of long lines, they also saw extremely high resale prices. There was even trouble retrieving money as the only ATMs running during this time were BDO ATMs, and the ATMs themselves were running out of money.

It was chaos.

Overall, it was a difficult situation.

One of my cousins had to stay beThere is no doubt that many plachind, as the lack of functioning CCT- es in the Philippines still need our Vs encouraged people to loot houses help. If you can, please donate to and businesses, and she couldn’t the different charities that are curleave her father’s dental equipment rently working to help these other behind. areas or, if you can’t, please help She had to waited hours in lines spread awareness on the people’s every single day just to get clean struggles in these different areas water and electricity for her phone. due to the aftermath of Typhoon I also had friends have trouble buy- Odette ing food, clean water, and gas. Not

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Eternity of an Aftermath written by: MARTIKA NOVAL Blowing winds.

Screeching metals.

Deafening rain.

Scared. This is how the people describe themselves after Typhoon Odette devastated most of Visayas and Mindanao on December 16, 2021, destroying most of the villagers’ property and leaving them with nothing but uncertainty. Some people had been informed that a typhoon was approaching but were unprepared, while others were completely clueless, leading them to sudden distress.

According to 17 year-old Rae from Cebu, they were fortunate to still have a roof and

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strong foundation that can still be used as shelter and a home that could still supply their needs, which could be of help to the neighboring people. However, most people - particularly those who lived in houses made of light materials - were left with nothing, seemingly needing to rebuild their lives once more. Trees were strewn over the place, blocking paths and roadways. Wires were knotted together like unrestrained ropes. It was pitch black for a long time, as if it is Earth Hour every day. It was a catastrophe. A complete shamble.

This made Rae and her family realize that everyone must be appreciative for what they have and be resourceful at the same time. Typhoon Odette (otherwise locally known as Rai) has taught a lesson that money cannot buy everything. Since practically everything was in a long line, equality was mirrored during those times. Gas stations, ATM machines, water refilling stations, and motels that are fully booked. Whether one is wealthy or not, one must follow the rules and receive no special treatment.

As of now, the local government is still trying their best to regain the beauty and life lost in the destruction. In times like this, a helping hand would always be of big help; these catastrophes emphasize that no man truly is an island. It is everyone’s part to help everyone. All these unfortunate memories shall, too, be blown by the wind but the lessons brought by the wild storms shall always be reminiscent.

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Typhoon Odette led to Extreme Difficulties Especially to the Nation’s Poorest written by: MIN YOUNG KIM

The Philippines undergoes several typhoons a year, but recently, storms - including Odette - have become more unpredictable, leaving the nation’s poorest vulnerable.

In difficult situations like these, it is essential to see and consider the victim’s point of view, be aware of what’s happening, and plan for the future to preclude future victims.

extremely concerning that people and children have been getting very sick and even dying in areas smashed by this typhoon, which has left millions without access to clean drinking water, hospitals, and health facilities.”

Mila Glora, one of the survivors of the typhoon, faces another The chair of the Philippine Red challenge as her youngest child, Cross, Richard Gordon, announced 5-year-old Josie Mae, lies sick with that many affected areas lost acdiarrhea after drinking unsafe wacess to power, communications and ter after Typhoon Odette. “She’s clean water. had diarrhea since yesterday [December 29] and has been feeling weak,” Glora explains.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drinking contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to diseases such as said Tumanda, one of the victims of cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis, etc. the typhoon.

Inadequate or badly-managed water and sanitation services lead “We need food, especially rice and individuals to preventable health water,” said Giselle Toledo, anoth- risks. er victim whose house was swept away by Odette’s floodwaters.

IFRC Head of Philippine Delegation Alberto Bocanegra said, “It is

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Christmas is Here! poem by: ROXY FABELLA

Christmas is Here!

Bring the holiday cheer!

Carols charming the Children Feelings of blessedness, belifting our brethren Oh, how joyous are we!

The land, the skies, the sea.

As we hang up our parols, The clouds begin to gather?

The clouds begin to gather.

Then the rain starts to poor Then the wind loudens And the doors creak chaotically Thunder The house is shaking The land, the sky, the sea destroyed. destroyed, destroyed… it’s all gone.

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Typhoon Odette:

What it Shows about the Government Typhoon Odette was the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2021, affecting around 6.2 million individuals mainly in regions of Visayas and Mindanao. The DSWD Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) assisted the transmission of play therapy kits, learners’ kits, school-ina-bag/kits, teacher’s and oral hygiene kits to the affected regions via the Philippine Coast Guard.

Many critics and media sources claim that our national government was not quick enough in responding to the needs of victims. According to Rappler PH, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri stated on December 23, 2021 as he arrived in Cagayan de Oro with relief aid for the families affected by the typhoon that “Our response is sadly slow. We wish our response was quicker.”

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written by: DENISE ANG

President Rodrigo Duterte, however, responded that they were “not late” in responding to the tragedies of the typhoon, as stated by Inquirer PH. According to him, delays were caused by blockage of roads which made affected provinces out of reach. These bottlenecks have prevented the government from addressing the immediate issue of the increase of price and shortages in fuel prices, as well as disrupted electricity supply of the affected areas, as Senator Zubiri mentioned.

On December 23, 2021, Duterte apologized for the delay in government response to Typhoon Odette and assured aid en route. “Maghingi ako ng tawad na napatagal ang response sa gobyerno,” he says towards survivors in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan during his visit. He later on adds,

“Sa totoo lang, hirap rin kami dito sa itaas because of the so many places scattered around at malalayo, island for island. Pati ‘yung pera.”

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is responsible for providing relief assistance and basic services to these areas affected by natural disasters.

President Rodrigo Duterte stated that Republic Act No. (RA) 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, slowed the government down from providing disaster relief immediately to affected areas. This law indicates “strengthening the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system, providing for the national disaster risk reduction and management framework and institutionalizing the national disaster risk reduction and management plan, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes” as per The Congress of the Philippines. “There is a crisis.

We can set aside and do away with red tape and protocols’ to release funds and fuel, and to repair power lines and damaged roads, says Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri,” Duterte says.

Additionally, he mentioned that oil companies intended to donate fuel to local governments in typhoon-ravaged areas to aid in disaster response, but were unable to do so due to protocols requiring them to go through the Department of Energy (DoE) first.

Even a week after the disaster, road clearing operations by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were slow and ineffective, he said.

In Surigao del Norte, Governor Francisco Matugas complained about the DPWH’s slow response to clear roads after Odette made landfall, especially on Siargao Island. According to Rep-

resentative Francisco Jose Matugas II of the province’s 1st District, the Task Force Bangon Siargao brought 25 tons of relief goods to Surigao del Norte and distributed them to families in typhoon-ravaged communities on Monday, December 20. Roughly half of these were distributed to families in Surigao del Norte’s outlying villages, and the Navy and Coast Guard assisted in bringing the relief aid to the islands. If we give more power to local governments rather than the national government in these situations, they will most likely be more efficient, and all necessary requirements will be achieved effectively.

But don’t they have the power to just repeal the law? According to Republic Act No. 386, laws can only be repealed

“by subsequent ones, and their violation or non-observance shall not be excused by disuse, or custom or practice to the contrary.”

When the court declares a law to be in conflict with the Constitution, the former is declared null and void, and the latter takes precedence. This is the problem with politics and legislation. There are numerous laws that are intended to benefit society as a whole, and yet they end up harming us and we somehow are stuck with them.

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Some may wonder why the process of repealing or amending a law must be so complex and difficult when their intended purpose only causes harm to our nation.

Dinagat capitol spokesperson Jeff Crisostomo stated that the provincial government was able to guarantee many forms of support from private, civil society, and humanitarian groups across the country and internationally, in addition to relief assistance from the national and other local governments.

Although there were problems that could not be fixed at that moment, I believe that the government should stop deflecting guilt. Duterte should not have had to make an excuse to cover up their mistakes.

Based on the many previous storms our country has endured, especially Typhoon Yolanda, our government should have been more prepared and ready for these types of situations. The government should have especially considered that not many individuals have access to social media, such as Twitter or Instagram.

Many individuals across the Philippines depended on ABS-CBN for urgent news; however, ever since their shutdown in May, 2020, as requested by President Duterte, they would not be immediately aware as to when they should evacuate or where they can go. These people were left blind during this typhoon, so there were numerous issues caused that still require long-term solutions.

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Typhoon Odette and the case of "Filipino Resilience" written by: ABRI WILSON

In spite of Typhoon Odette’s record strength, many families were seen roaming outdoors just hours after it had passed, cleaning up the damage and looking for their loved ones. Some even reopened their businesses as soon as they could. Such quick recoveries like these are not new to the Philippines, which experiences an average of 20 typhoons per year. Each time, disaster victims are praised for their spirit of “Filipino resilience.”

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Filipinos have been known to show extreme resilience. However, some things can and should be prevented. By now, you would think that we would be more prepared for these kinds of disasters.

Yet thousands of families sit in evacuation centers or atop their flattened houses, waiting for clean water, food, and a permanent home every single time. Father Raymond Abray of Tandag Catholic Diocese recounted the scene he saw on Dinagat Island, saying,

Nonetheless, careful preparation regarding finances, infrastructure, and supplies could mitigate the effects of these common disasters.

Instead, thousands of Filipinos are forced to defend themselves from typhoons that come like clockwork.

“While I saw such a devastating sight, warm smiles still greeted us. Yet my heart told me otherwise — the people just suppressed their pains and frustrations.”

While there is no denying the strength of the Filipino in times of crisis, romanticizing resilience creates the harmful idea that victims of disasters should immediately move on without pausing to mourn. Phrases such as “Basta Pinoy, kaya yan!” breed mindsets of dismissing negative experiences when we have them, otherwise called “toxic positivity.”

The truth is that Filipino resilience results from necessity rather than an innate virtue.

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Climate Change

written by: MEG PIO DE RODA

At about 1:30 in the afternoon on December 16, Typhoon Odette— known internationally as Typhoon Rai— made landfall on Siargao Island. Before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 12:40 p.m. on December 18, it managed to “[tear] houses to pieces…, [dump] torrential rain, and severely [flood] cities and towns,” as said by senator and Philippine Red Cross CEO Richard Gordon.

Intensifying into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane with maximum gusts of up to 210 kilometres per hour, it was the strongest storm experienced by the nation— particularly in two provinces in Mindanao, five in Visayas, and one in Luzon, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees— in 2021, joining ranks with Mexico’s Hurricane Grace and the United States’ Hurricane Ida as one of the year’s most powerful of its kind.

“When the clouds lifted, the full horror started to become apparent: Towns and even cities were submerged in floods, entire communities were obliterated, and people emerging from evacuation shelters were walking around dazed, disbelieving the misfortune that had just hit them,”

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journalist JC Gotinga writes for Vice. “The trees snapped like matchsticks,” adds Bohol public servant Ed Boysillo, and resort owner Frederic Soupart claims, “It doesn’t feel like Christmas.”

On December 27, the New York Times officially reported 397 people killed, 1,147 injured, and 83 missing. Additionally, Relief Web takes note of over 200,000 houses left destroyed or damaged, well over 600,000 people displaced, and millions of dollars’ worth in damage. “We are looking at a major humanitarian crisis,” says CARE Philippines program manager Ansherina Talavera. “In some areas, power is not expected to return for at least a month. Access to some of the worst affected areas, particularly remote islands, remains a big concern due to destroyed private and public sea vessels.”

Although Typhoon Odette was already incredibly powerful in itself, what made it even more destructive was the fact that, in the span of only one day, wind speeds rose by 85 miles per hour, launching the oncoming storm from a Category 1 to a Category 5. With the disaster’s sheer strength, size, and unpredictability, Greenpeace climate justice campaigner Virginia Benosa-Llorin went uncontested when saying, “This is really a red signal for all of us that the climate crisis is upon us now. It’s not a future problem.”

The role that rising global temperatures play in the increased intensity of typhoons is undeniable, with the heat and the large amounts of water vapour serving as what the United States Geological Survey refers to as “fuel for more powerful storms to develop.” What makes the situation even more unfortunate, however, is that, even if the Philippines contributes only a fraction of what the United States and China do to greenhouse gas emissions, it consistently ranks among the top three most climate vulnerable countries. Additionally, a study conducted by relief agency Christian Aid found that the “GDP of the 65 most climate vulnerable countries will take a 20% hit by 2050 and 64% by 2100 if global temperatures rise by 2.9C.” It is clear, then, that although countries like the United States and South Korea have already pledged to aid the Philippines in its recovery efforts, the world’s only hope in fully and properly addressing such disasters is by both acknowledging and making the long-overdue effort to put an end to the fact that innocent people have suffered greatly for the rest of the world’s dismissal of the severity of the climate crisis for far too long, and now is the time to ensure it does not need to happen again.

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Typhoon Odette: Road to Recovery written by: ALTHEA OCOMEN

As a means to respond to the threatening situation, international institutions, state agencies, reputable companies, and non-profit organizations have collectively decided to aid the victims of calamity. A month after Typhoon Odette pummeled through the country, Senator Richard Gordon filed a resolution that seeks to immediately kickstart the rehabilitation of dilapidated areas, including four tourist sites in Visayas and Mindanao. Senate Resolution 977 aims to generate livelihoods for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other businesses, while reinvigorating the local tourism industry.

Besides the senator’s contributions, President Rodrigo Duterte pledged to raise an estimated P10 billion directed towards several parts of the country. Aside from the funds, he ordered the national government departments to respond to the concerns of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

Moreover, the United Nations (UN) has appealed for more support to hasten the recovery and reconstruction in areas battered by the typhoon. Its fundraising effort for

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Odette survivors has gathered 39 percent of its target $107.2 million, nearly a month since it was launched.

Additionally, The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has transported 2,275 tons of relief goods such as rice, water, canned goods, toiletries, generator sets, and water tanks to demolished areas. Globe has also released cash assistance for all affected employees and partnered with PureGo and the Ayala Group to deliver relief goods, provide temporary shelters, and offer interest-free loans. The internal #ALAGANGGLOBE donation drive has accumulated P750,000, with employees contributing to augment support for their fellow ka-Globe across the country.

Through Typhoon Odette, the nation is coming together. On the ground, onlookers are confronted with apocalyptic scenes – houses destroyed, businesses reduced to rubble, and boats smashed to bits.

The Philippines has faced numerous obstacles in its efforts to mitigate typhoon damage – underdevelopment, a coastal population, and poverty. However, steps are being made in the right direction.

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Up-to-date News vs. Typhoon Odette written by: SYDNEY AUSTIN BUAN

Netizens of Luzon were left unaware of the traumatic aftermath of the recent typhoon “Odette” left in Visayas and Mindanao due to the lack of media and news coverage. Not only was there a struggle of bad signals and logistics, shortage of resources, hoarding of water and gas and severely damaged residences were seen. Yet, the needs of the victims were delayed.

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In line with this, a victim of the calamity emphasized the importance of local media coverage - it is not solely for the purpose of asking donations or relief goods, but to raise awareness in being prepared the next time it potentially happens.

With the recent surge of the Coronavirus disease and other natural disasters, active provincial news and hotlines are crucial. According to a tweet from a fellow Filipino, “abs-cbn’s regional stations could’ve been instrumental in making disaster info more accessible. May field reporters pa sila.” To aid the absence of the damages on media platforms, netizens made a movement and called it #BangonVisMin to reach out to the victims of the typhoon.

The Philippines may be prone to different natural disasters, Filipinos will stand hand by hand to make the rebuilding of not just homes but also lives.

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Better Help: Beyond Band-aid Solutions written by: MAYA TUVIERA

Perhaps one of the greatest things about Filipino people is our unwavering desire to help others. When typhoon season rolls around and the inevitable destruction ensues, hundreds of relief efforts arise to give aid to affected communities. Oftentimes, these efforts aim to send food and toiletries to people in need. Bags and bags of plastic water bottles, uncooked rice, and food to last until the next week (optimistically). While these efforts are certainly helpful and well-meaning, the gradually-worsening state of our environment begs the question: is this kind of aid really sustainable?

The harsh reality of typhoon relief is that they are band-aid solutions. Not only do most relief packs contain single-use goods, but they only last

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so long. That’s where sustainable aid comes in; sustainable aid is any form of aid that is not single-use. This can mean funding clean water and reliable light sources, or it can mean funding more secure homes and relief centers.

It is difficult for people to cook rice when their power is out and their home is in shambles.

That’s why more organizations nationwide are stepping up to provide more sustainable assistance. For example, organizations such as Aksyon ng Kabataan Organization (AKO) are collaborating with other parties in order to provide rechargeable and environmentally-friendly light sources in impoverished communities.

A donation of P50,000 to AKO could even fund a basic home for a family. Another stellar example of sustainable aid is Waves for Water, an organization that distributes water filtration systems. For P2,850, you can purchase a clean water system that can serve 50-100 people for at least 5 years. It removes bacteria-causing diseases and has a 3 million liter capacity.

Unquestionably, people need food and toiletries and immediate help. However, they also need reliable light sources, clean water, and sturdy homes. In a way, investing in sustainable solutions means more money saved in the long run and less reliance on aid in the future. If you can, consider spending your money on sustainable yet underfunded relief efforts.

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Give Love this Christmas: SFO brings relief to ‘Odette’ victims during Christmas written by: MATTHEW CABILES Southville For Others (SFO) and the Perpetual Help Community Cooperative (PHCCI) rallied the students of Southville Global Education Network (SGEN) in a holiday donation drive from December 23-31, 2021, to aid the families affected by Typhoon Odette.

The charitable initiative, known as “Give Love This Christmas: Call for Donations for the Victims of Typhoon Odette,” had its donors deposit cash to the SEED Foundation Inc. bank account for the recovery of families residing in the Municipality of Bindoy, Negros Oriental. Donations were made onsite at the Philippine National Bank (PNB) Las Piñas-Aguilar Avenue branch or online through GCash.

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“We are again humbly knocking on your generous hearts for any donation in cash for the families in Bindoy, Negros Oriental who lost everything and are in urgent need . . . . Thank you very much, and may you all be blessed abundantly for your generous hearts,” SFO Committee Chairman and SISC President Dr. Jocelyn P. Tizon said in an official statement announcing the community donation drive.

SFO used all proceeds to purchase family packs and construction materials.

Each family pack contained canned goods, packed noodles, rice sacks, and toiletries, providing necessities to Negrense families. Construction materials included GI sheets, lumber, nails, and plywood, which they used to rebuild destroyed homes in Bindoy.

PHCCI’s branch in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, helped distribute these items to identified victims throughout the municipality.

name as its subject. Every ₱15,000 donated will be used to sponsor one family.

Typhoon Odette, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones that have struck The Philippines, made nine landfalls from December 16-18. Negros Oriental recorded 74 deaths as of December 22 and ₱600-M worth of destroyed infrastructure. Bindoy was among the most damaged municipalities and cities in Negros Oriental following flash floods and powerful winds.

Previously this academic year, SFO organized a donation drive for the purchase of sanitary care kits given to non-teaching employees (NTEs) that went alongside the SISC Student Council’s Christmas Talent Show last December 16.

The results of “Give Love This Christmas” prompted the launching of another SFO-SGEN donation drive, “Help Rebuild a Home for Odette Victims,” that has been ongoing since January 8, 2022. While SFO focused solely on shelter reconstruction, the organization will purchase more construction materials for PHCCI to distribute throughout the same municipality.

“Help Rebuild a Home for Odette Victims’’ is accepting cash donations to be deposited through the SEED Foundation Inc. bank account (Peso account number: 1451-7000-1355) at the PNB Las Piñas-Aguilar Avenue branch. Donors must email scanned copies or screenshots of their deposit slips to accounting@southville.edu.ph and sfo@southville.edu.ph with their

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Healthcare in Heinous Times

written by: KHLOE LIM

The Philippines is no stranger to natural calamities, but what if you add a pandemic into the mix? As of October 2021, the Philippines was the 20th country with the most COVID-19 cases. On top of this, Typhoon Odette made its way to the Philippines in December 2021.

Despite the Philippines’ proclivity for calamities, the government has yet to provide an efficient disaster response. 2020, the country was hit by four different typhoons: Quinta, Rolly, Siony, and Ulysses. Many netizens expressed their outrage at the lack of government aid being provided on Twitter. Soon, the tags like #UselessPH and #DemandAccountability which were filled with pleas and demands went rampant across the country.

2021 - President Rodrigo Duterte declared that he would halve all the funds that were allotted for the country’s healthcare to go towards militarization. In other words, the budget for Epidemiology and Surveillance program would be reduced from ₽263 million to ₽116 million while the Health and Facilities Enhancement program would face cuts from ₽8.4 billion to ₽4.8 billion This announcement caused patients and health workers to suffer alike.

Many health workers reported to have experienced unfair discrimination; in one instance, a nurse was doused with chlorine by two motorcycle riders.

Another was when some citizens refused or even prohibited the entry of health workers in certain places like the grocery, public transportation, or even their own home. The workers were then met with assault when they didn’t follow accordingly. Still, there has been no move done by the government to improve this situation.

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The International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) has been readily involved in giving relief and setting up medical tents in places like Cebu and Siargao.

Donations like food, water, and hygiene kits are also being provided.

For non-COVID cases like gastroenteritis and diarrhoea, the Red Cross has been diligent in doing the best that they can to prevent more casualties caused by these diseases.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact: Asia Pacific Office: Antony Balmain, +60 12 230 8451, antony. balmain@ifrc.org IFRC Philippine Delegation, Karina Coates, +61 (0) 404 086 006 RRCommunicationsCO. Philippines@ifrc.org

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Typhoon Odette and Relief Efforts within the Bearcat Community written by: ERICH PAREDES edited by:JULIA ONGKING

In light of the devastation Typhoon Odette has brought upon provinces across the Philippines, humanitarian relief efforts are necessary for the speedy recovery of all impacted regions, to which members of the Bearcat community have contributed through fundraisers and donations.

An example of one such effort to assist victims of Typhoon Odette is demonstrated by Light The Way. Founded by ISM students Sid and Jagat, Light The Way Philippines is a student-led non-profit organization striving to incorporate renewable energy within regions of the Philippines that need it. Their New Year’s Fundraiser, done in collaboration with One Million Lights Philippines, is dedicated to raising funds needed to purchase a solar power station and solar lamp kits for the community at Lake Mihaba at the Agusan Marsh, which can help them overcome the electricity and signal shortages that they’re currently experiencing, as well as providing half a decade’s worth of clean energy. The ongoing fundraiser spans this entire month of January. Products like coffee, strawberry jam, and hot chocolate mix are available, and donations are also accepted.

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Besides Light The Way, The Wagon School (TWS) is another organization that has also put in its effort towards helping with typhoon relief. It is a student-run nonprofit organization founded by Reyn, a sophomore who aims to close the gap in educational inequality within the Philippines. TWS is geared towards ending the cycle of poverty by offering impoverished Filipino adolescents the gift of education. Last December, members of TWS partnered up with sophomore Bea to help raise money through donations that would benefit individuals in Bohol and Siargao. The funds raised were used to send over 300 packages of necessities, which included water bottles, canned goods, instant noodles, alcohol, and masks to these regions, to help them cope with the lasting effects of Typhoon Odette.

Another ongoing ISM-based effort to assist victims of Typhoon Odette was by the sophomore Student Council President Carrilyn, who set up a Gcash account dedicated to raising funds for Red Cross Philippines.

would have ideally brought. That is why it is of utmost importance to concern ourselves, engage with and help prevent climate change.

However, despite our best efforts and intentions to contribute to humanitarian relief efforts, our The Philippines is slowly becomcurrent measures are not sustaining more and more vulnerable to able enough to contribute to the the effects of climate change, as bigger picture of ending climate demonstrated by the severity of Ty- change. It is by far the most signifphoon Odette — primarily attribut- icant factor behind why we expeed to its geographical structure as rience typhoons as strong as this an archipelago and its status as a one. The significance of doing so third-world country. With continu- lies within the fear that if the Philous emissions of greenhouse gases ippines were to suffer from effects increasing sea temperatures, we of typhoons just as devastating as can only expect to see even stronOdette, there is no telling just how ger typhoons, which lack the mitirreversible the damage would be igation cooler-temperature waters for the country and its people.

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The “No Excuses” Donation Guide for Typhoon Odette:

2 ways to easily donate to Typhoon Odette written by: JOSH LIM Typhoon Odette has caused 9 billion pesos in damages, with over 150 thousand people affected by the crisis.

Here are some of the ways to help those affected by this disastrous Typhoon.

Save the Children’s philosophy is to protect and support Filipino children. This includes protecting their rights, creating more opportunities for children and saving lives during emergencies.

Save the Children has been a big contributor to humanitarian efforts, especially in regards to disasters and armed conflicts within the Philippines, providing assistance such as food, water, healthcare and education to those most vulnerable.

For example, they have donated to over 3000 households during Super Typhoon Rolly which devastated the Philippines 2 years ago. Aside from this, they help rebuild the lives of those who were affected through resiliency and risk reduction building, making sure that those affected are prevented from experiencing it again.

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ADRA is a global humanitarian organization that seeks to provide relief and assistance in over 130 countries.

They partner with communities, organizations and governments to create sustainable change across the world.

ADRA has been able to empower communities through humanitarian aid and disaster recovery efforts in areas such as Bicol, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Iloilo and many other locations. They also provide health and nutrition to children in areas such as Leyte and Lanao Del Sur. These efforts have greatly benefited many at risk areas, as well as providing support to many of the youth within these communities.

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Readiness, Resiliency, and Recovery written by: JELLIANA TOLENTINO

Readiness, resiliency, and recovery - three oftenly heard words that start with the letter R. But there is another word that also starts with the letter R that is often overlooked and disregarded: reality. Understand how those three words affect our reality as Filipinos.

Readiness: it is important to be ready before a typhoon occurs. The

Philippines is the third most disaster prone country in the world, and we experience typhoons every year. Knowing our situation, we must be ready for what’s to come.

Take note of weather updates and advisories Know what’s happening by watching the weather report or monitoring weather updates daily. Make sure that you are getting the information from a reliable source, such as reputable news websites.

Prepare your electric devices.

Make sure that your phone is fully charged before the expected date of the typhoon. If you have a power bank available, make sure that it is fully charged as well. Save the emergency hotlines on your phone contacts. To prevent your electronic devices from getting wet, you may recycle plastic bags/containers by cleaning it and using it as an electronic device storage. Before the typhoon hits, switch off and unplug all your appliances.

Have an emergency kit prepared Your emergency kit should contain a flashlight, whistle, water, non-perishable food, clothes, personal hygiene items, health aid kit, face masks, the medications you take, and cash. Store it safely by using a durable bag that is easy to carry.

Keep your personal belongings and your house safe Make sure that your important documents are stored safely. Inspect your house if there is anything that needs to be prepared.

Know the designated evacuation sites in your area Stay safe by knowing the designated evacuation sites in your area so that you and the people you are with can evacuate and take shelter on the nearest and most accessible evacuation site as soon as possible.

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Resiliency: it’s the reality for us Filipinos. We are often charac-

terised for our resiliency. But are we really experiencing resiliency in our surroundings during typhoons? Stated by the Merriam Webster dictionary, resiliency is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change. It is not easy to recover quickly when there is lack of support and action. Let us stop glorifying resiliency and demand better action. If we experience typhoons often, why is the response still lacking?

Recovery: we can’t change where the Philippines is geograph-

ically located, but we can change where our progress is located - and that starts with educating ourselves correctly and spreading awareness.

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