Okay, so if experiencing all that wasn’t enough, I wanted so much to come home to a family that would comfort me and I’d tell them how much they mean to me and how much I love them.

Instead, I came home and got an ear-splitting lecture from my aunt.

I was already suffering from a post-traumatic experience depression and I come home to hear her screaming at me.

She said I was so smart and so intelligent and then during the storm I was too stupid to even think.

Okay, so I may have chapped her words a little, but she said a lot more that bruised me a LOT.

I remember crying on the stairs as she went on and on about how stupid I was, couldn’t even brave the waters ( hello? She wasn’t THERE!), couldn’t come home earlier (2nd day? What? She want me to die or something?). I was already so tired, I hadn’t even taken a bath yet and I was still dealing with my inner demons about my experience. My sister wasn’t home so I couldn’t tell anyone about my experience. My brothers, I don’t even know if they realize I was gone but if they did, they hid their worries well.

I found out that my street didn’t suffer the same consequences as I did. Despite my worries, my home and street didn’t even get flooded. We just lost power and that was it.

Here are some aftermath pictures of Ondoy/Ketsana.

Ondoy

Ondoy

Manggahan Bridge

People on rooftops for safety

Ondoy's Damage

This picture’s not mine, but I liked it. Stylish way to go through  a flood huh? At least they were able to get food.

Jetskiing through the flood

Here’s a tear-jerker about Ondoy/Ketsana and jetskiis.

Judge saves 100 lives.

Teen dies saving many lives.

Here’s another set of pictures taken in Recto, Manila. I remember this place, it’s an underground road and all jeepneys would pass it to get to Quiapo. I never imagined it would be like this! Credit to DPPers again.

Recto, Manila

Recto Manila, near FEU and Isetann Mall

Another superb picture taken by Cha Mercado of DPP. It’s a before and after shot. All credits to her.

Before and After picture by Cha Mercado

All in all:

Dear Ondoy/Ketsana,

Please check out what you have done to the Philippines.

Ondoy Aftermath

Nope, we’re not happy. We’re suing you for the 341 lives you took from us, including the teenager who died saving 30 people and a baby and my schoolmate and all others who died with your few hours of shower. Aside from that, I cannot really blame you for everything but ourselves for being such pompous asses to not handle waste management properly and be so cruel to Mother Nature. Instead, we thank you for the experience and for enlightening us to our mistakes.

Thank you.

Right now, Philippines is struggling after Pepeng and Ondoy. Our lives are trying to move on, trying to find ways to get over what happened. Others like me, are suffering from post-traumatic stress and have been finding ways to appreciate life and family more.

I really hope nothing like this happens again.

Death toll now rises to 858, Ondoy and Pepeng (Ketsana and Parma).

May they all rest in peace.