Remembering Haiyan and the True Filipino Spirit

This is just one part of the devastating damage made by super typhoon Haiyan that hardly battered Central and Eastern Visayas last November 8, 2013. (Photo courtesy of The Guardian)

It's been one year since super typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, devastated most of the central part of the Philippines, more particularly in the town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar where the storm first made landfall and the city of Tacloban in Leyte. Indeed, November 8, 2013 was the day that the people of the Philippines will never forget and the moment that the whole world heard a cry for help after witnessing, experiencing, and surviving a disaster like this in people's lives.

This is the exact forecast track of super typhoon Haiyan which was locally known as Yolanda. (Photo courtesy of USA Today)

One of the world's strongest typhoons ever recorded in modern history was also the strongest and the deadliest in the Philippines so far to make landfall, with maximum sustained winds reaching 315 kph. In just one day, after making six landfalls, Haiyan has stole the lives of more than 6,000 people, left millions of people homeless, and to make it worse, destroyed billions worth of infrastructure and agricultural lands. It was an apocalyptic sight that only the people in Central Visayas would see for themselves.

I witnessed everything that is going on after the passing of the monstrous storm. You will see a sea filled with scattered things that you can see around you - cars, remnants of houses, and even dead bodies. I eventually felt an atmosphere filled with negative emotions that led to undesirable and unconditional circumstances. It is clear that Haiyan's fury has almost destroyed not only the lives of millions, but also a progressive city like Tacloban.

But there is one thing that Haiyan did not destroy, and it is the true Filipino spirit. I've seen many people helping each other out in times of disaster. The so-called bayanihan spirit still exists in times of deadly disasters like this, unlike those who are desperate to survive through looting. Despite being overshadowed by darkness and fear in their hearts, many Filipinos are still positive that they can survive this. In fact, I can see remnants of hope when I watched a news feature about 90 Yolanda-affected families making their own living in Rosario, Cavite. I consider this as an inspiration to those who want to help out in little but serious ways.

Super typhoon Haiyan has learned a lesson to all Filipinos and to the world that the impact of climate change shall not be belittled, whether big or small. But I know that we can withstand any unexpected circumstances that come within us, as long as we have faith in God and the will to help those in need. This is the true Filipino spirit, and it's a fact that no one would ever negate.