Stay mad until the next disaster

You know the saying, “When it rains, it pours?” Well, that pretty much sums up the Philippines these past few weeks. Since Undas 2025, we’ve had earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and now, super typhoons.

Honestly, sometimes it feels like we’re the heroes in the movie “300” --- battered, bloodied, but still standing. Except in real life, there’s no slow motion music or epic fight scenes, just loss, exhaustion, and heartbreak.

Filipinos are naturally resilient, yes, but maybe it’s time we stopped romanticizing that trait. Being resilient is one thing; getting used to being pummeled by disasters and shrugging it off as “just another day” is something else.

We are humans, not robots. We deserve a decent life, to have our basic needs met, and accountability from the leaders we voted for. And yes, the government has a duty, but so do we.

Think of it as a see-saw: we can’t carry the entire load alone, but we can balance the responsibility if everyone does their part before, during, and after a disaster.

This time, super typhoon “Uwan” made its presence painfully clear. Its reach spanned nearly the entire archipelago, and the death toll is already over 27 and still climbing. Sure, the sun has come out again and travel is resuming, but the aftermath is far from over. People are still trapped in flooded streets, their homes destroyed, loved ones lost. And if you’ve been watching the news, you’ve seen the destruction in our port structures battered by winds that seemed to punch and uppercut at will.

On the ground, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Santiago toured the affected ports from Pio Duran in Albay to Virac and San Andres in Catanduanes. You can picture the scene, from the torn ramps, blown-off lights, ceilings ripped open. Even the Port of Pasacao in Camarines Sur wasn’t spared, high mast lights ripped down, CCTV cameras destroyed.

And yet, the ports remain operational. PPA teams moved quickly to clear debris and ensure passenger safety. They even waived roll-on/roll-off terminal fees for vehicles carrying relief goods. If your truck is loaded with help, you’re free to go. No red tape, no waiting, no added cost. Because when lives are on the line, every second counts. Prioritize help, not paperwork.

Let’s be honest: we live in the Pacific typhoon belt. The Philippines ranks number one in the world for climate disaster risk. Not exactly a badge of honor, but a wake-up call we can’t ignore.

Yes, we’ve survived storms before, and we probably will again but climate change is not just a headline anymore. Stronger storms, rising seas, shifting plates, landslides, longer droughts — it’s our daily reality.

Nature will keep testing us, but are we really doing enough to keep her calm? I saw a meme about Sierra Madre ranting that Filipinos only remember her when they need her; but when she needed protection from mining and illegal logging, we were nowhere to be found. Funny, but painfully true.

Next time, when we go through this all over again, let’s make sure something changes. No more skyrocketing casualty counts. No more borrowing money from other nations to rebuild. The power to improve the system is ours.

We, the children of Mother Nature, the protectors of this civilization, can make a difference if we put aside greed and do our part. What we do affects everyone else. We are literally in the same boat when the storm hits.

And no, there won’t be a cheesy “stay strong” or “be resilient” ending here. No sugarcoating. Be angry. Be mad — mad that this keeps happening, mad that we’re not doing enough, mad for change. Maybe then, just maybe, we’ll finally do our part before the next storm hits.