Eye of Odette | The Aftermath and A Call for Help

Portion of this blog's rewards will be donated to our Fellow Hivers greatly affected by Super Typhoon Odette. Your upvote, tip, comment and reblog will mean a lot!

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_{I'd like to personify Odette because this specific typhoon reminds me of Medusa with eyes that kill. So when I mention "She", know that I'm referring to Typhoon Odette.}

December 16, 2021

On the day she struck our base, I was doing last-minute shopping for dog medicines to donate for Moalboal Dog Rescue and personal groceries for the days to come.

We were "ready" but we weren't "that ready enough" for Odette's blow. I, too, was not mindful of the news about its coming and that she would fall into a Super Typhoon Category 5 just short of Super Typhoon Yolanda. My dad said she was just the younger sister of Yolanda.

Around 6:00 pm, we could already feel the intensity of the wind. Electricity was cut at 7:00 pm. Dad was making sure that everything was secured. My family stayed on the lower level of the house. Odette was already making her presence known at around 8:00 pm. And at 9:00 pm, the winds were howling endlessly. A huge invisible whip striking every house it passes by. Despite our concrete walls, we still feared that our window jealousies would break.

Although her "eye" was set to obliviate those down south, we were still along her course of destruction. As she continued to move and impose her wrath upon us mere mortals, I sat under the safety of our concrete walls praying to the Divine to spare human lives but most importantly to save the trees and animals on the streets.

Around 10:00 pm just when Odette's eye found its way in Cebu, the strong winds coupled with light rain were knocking at every house's doors. Despite the sadness that overcame me for the thousands of affected lives, my strength to stay awake slowly faded away. I succumb to the tiredness of my mind and body and drifted to sleep.

December 17, 2021

5:00 am the next day, the voices of our neighbors can already be heard sharing their experiences and emotions. Mom had the first glimpse of the aftermath. Although Dad told Mom to get more rest, I can't resist the urge to face reality outside our door too. With my jacket on, I went outside and witnessed Odette's unforgiving punishment.

The huge tree at one corner fell. Telephone and electrical lines were cut and tangled up. Our huge outdoor umbrella and our late Ginger's dog house toppled down. Other things were blown and found damaged. But the thing that broke my heart and especially my mom's heart was 80% of all her plants and flowers were destroyed. All I could say to her was "We should have placed them inside our house too." But then again, we didn't expect Odette would be fully immersed in her anger to even have reached the far-off places.

_{Somehow this little lass survived Odette's menacing winds}

Things in my parents' room were soaked. Rainwater also found its way on our ceiling. Our roof needs fixing. After having breakfast, I rode on my granny bike to purchase ice for our frozen meat and fishes hoping we can still keep them cold for the next few days. Streets were filled with fallen trees and branches. Trashes are piling up along the sides. People I came across had stunned expressions on their faces.

Dad was able to clear off the debris. We were also able to arrange most of our stuff back to its original position. Around noontime, Dad decided to head to the two warehouses he was managing to assess the damages it incurred. I asked to tag along so I can access the signal while on the road and perhaps be able to check on our family, relatives, and friends.

As we were driving along the road, just when we have thought people would have just stayed at their homes; just when all work would cease to operate... Vehicles were cramming up roads. Traffic was doubled up because some lanes were unpassable due to countless electrical poles and trees that toppled over. Roofs can be found along the streets too. Cars and motorcycles lining up at available gasoline stations afraid that they will run out soon. People carrying huge water containers waiting for their turns to access water from generous neighbors.

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Every road we turn to was like a scene from an apocalypse movie you've seen. An "apocalyptic nightmare" as @ybanezkim26 would term it. The devastation Odette made left everyone in utter shock and chaos.

Thoughts drifted to how things were for people and friends from the south especially those living at our second home Moalboal as I'm sure they had it worst than us. I also found myself worrying for the dogs at the Moalboal Dog Rescue - our recipient for our recent Hive donation drive. My mind helplessly tells me how we are going to push this through with no access to our funds and traveling is not possible. They need help now more than ever. My heart was already feeling mixed emotions and this was not the time I want to deal with it as I only wanted to survive another day without dying inside.

From time to time while we were on the road, I had "lucky" moments where I could connect to the internet. Curation for @ocd and @lovesniper was no longer feasible so I left a message firsthand about my predicament and my unavailability for work ~~until everything goes back to normal~~ until I will have access to stable electricity and internet connection again. Afterwhich thoughts of @ybanezkim26 came to mind. Wondering what may have happened to him, I managed to get his address from one of our local Hive Friends after sending inquiries. Somehow Dad agreed to locate @ybanezkim's place en route going home. When I finally saw him in one piece and with a damn big smile, my worries came to pass. This is our meeting amid this chaotic aftermath.

A week has gone by and a lot has happened. Everyone is in survival mode that's for sure. However, we cannot rely on external sources (ex. the government) for immediate help although some agencies are trying their best. Small generous acts by neighbors or people around us have helped us and others in tremendous ways and so it is fitting to do our part.

I'm grateful to those who sent their good wishes and to the @hiveph community for taking a step forward on raising funds to extend help to those greatly affected by Odette. A portion of this blog's rewards will also be donated. I hope you will continue to support me on this one just as you have in our Moalboal Donation Drive.

Update for our MDR Donation Drive:
As of writing, we were able to raise a total of Php 30,521 or USD 610 with all your help. I and Kim were able to access and process all funds yesterday and will be withdrawn today. A detailed blog will be made with proofs of transactions. We are scheduled on December 26th, 2021 to travel down south and hand in the donations at the shelter. We will also be visiting our friends too and documenting the aftermath in Moalboal.

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Join her as she takes on the road to self-discovery and limitless possibilities.}

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