Grief and national spirit

Super typhoon Pablo left 902 dead, 934 missing and 2,661 wounded. The figures keep coming, not of survivors but of those who perished.  Damages to properties are estimated at P14.3 billion.  Pablo left a tragedy—one that would summon the whole nation to grieve in solidarity.

Calamities are not unusual in the Philippines. Worse calamities have happened in the past already. Some are too morbid to relive. Tragedies in Ormoc and Real and the devastation brought by Ondoy and Habagat—these are only few of the horrors we have endured. Filipinos are ultimate survivors in the tests of nature.  Imagine the kind of national spirit that these could have invoked had we truly grieved in solidarity with their victims.

Relief operations after calamities are expected. In fact, the regular interval in which they are undertaken seems to make relief operation a habit for many people. As of today, it is estimated that the worth of relief items collected for victims has read P76 million. This is how Filipinos sympathize with one another during calamities and disasters.

However, disaster victims deserve more than the relief goods that the rest of the country could extend to them. Relief goods are material manifestations of solidarity but solidarity is more than these. Solidarity requires oneness and togetherness in triumph and disaster.  Solidarity is best seen in the sympathy and sacrifice that one is willing to undertake to show his or her genuine desire to be with the disadvantaged during times of grief and loss. Material goods may remind that one is not treading alone in sadness; however, they could not replace empathy to the plight of the victims.

Pablo had visited the Philippines at times when he is least expected.  Christmas is almost in the corner. Everybody has his eyes in the coming holidays when Pablo run havoc in Southern Philippines.  Well, nobody is really prepared to grief at any time anyway.

            Calamities like this are expected to summon the best spirit of our people. Loss of lives and properties ordinarily call everyone to grieve and show genuine solidarity with one another. Of course it is not required that people should wear sack clothes or wail to high heavens in pain. They need not show sadness in their faces; what matter is how people show genuine solidarity with the victims.

Sadly, many people continue to ignore the fact that many lives were lost in the devastation that Pablo had left us. They continue with their lavish festivities and senseless merrymaking. Worse, reports have it that certain government officials from the Executive and Legislative branches have joined Sir Elton John’s concert a few weeks ago as if disaster had not struck in the Philippines. Some quarters even downplayed the loss of lives to assuage themselves. Others simply do not care at all.

Of all historical incidents, calamities and disasters call forth the greatest national spirit since it is during these times when people can freely commune with one another irrespective of their class and political interests. During these times, people are given the chance to feel one another’s pain and be assured of mutual support. During these times, people can empathize with one another and summon a collective will to rise together. A national spirit in times of emergencies provides an entire nation with a sense of direction and pride.

This is what we need today—a genuine display of national solidarity. This solidarity should not be seen merely in sending what we will give up naturally for somebody in need. Prayers, like material goods, are laudable but these would be insufficient. Calling off lavish festivities and merrymaking will show this national solidarity. It will radiate our sincerity to commune with victims in their loss and suffering.