Four days into Taal’s unrest.

Many thoughts come into my mind: one in the category of personal concern - my bridal shower, as well as our wedding, were supposed to be set in that area, but now everything is shifting because of the volcanic activity and the dangers it entails.

Two, a realisation that this ‘selfishness’ really represents a deep love for the volcanic island and its surrounding communities.

I grew up exploring in and around Taal, falling in love with it, as many Filipinos do — visiting its crater, swimming in the lake, eating its Tawilis, riding the horses, overlooking from the ridge, scuba diving on the other side in towns near it, and checking out houses with my parents who have always dreamed of owning a property there - away from Manila bustle (but not too much away), sinking in deep breaths of cool, clean air, gazing at sunsets that seem technicolor and more vibrant than any other sunsets one’s gazed at before

The third, and doubtless more important, is the steeped, stirring sadness that rumbled within my heart thinking about all the families who had to evacuate, all the farmers who lost their lot, all the children who’ve been crying out in agitation, all the animals that have been left behind — people displaced and forced out of their homes, unsure whether they could return to them or keep on moving to uproot their whole lives. During times like these, we are reminded of how fragile life really is - and that although death and decay are its constants we don’t really consider them until its right in front of us towering like cliffs, pressing on our lungs like inhaling heavy ash, dragging on our backs as most weighty things do.

Fourth and finally: a child-like, relentless hope in our people; believing that we will endure and evolve after this cataclysmic season as we always do - stronger as a nation, and more defiant as individuals. I’ve seen enough photos of private citizens on the internet helping those who were affected by the volcanic ash fall, volunteers braving the terrifying travel conditions to reach areas that need supplies and assistance, individuals and groups using social media to spread updates, news, encouragement, and information to help in the situation. Every man for another, a joyful Bayanihan bubble amidst an otherwise desolate situation.

If there’s anything good that comes out of terrifying calamities, it’s that we’re all of a sudden forced to think about the actual weight of things. Our homes and possessions, our livelihood and comfort, our necessities — they are important, but never so important, we learn, as that of our own or another human being’s life and the value that is put upon a soul and its saving, no matter how heavy the plight.

But like always, we take these lessons day by day.

Today the volcano rumbles underneath, causing fissures on roads and fractures in everyday lives.
We wait, and conquer on.

JP

For donations and help, you may contact World Vision Philippines, or go to https://wvph.co/DonateTaalResponse