Dear Siargao,
Babangon tayo, we will be back, and we will be better. Great things take time.
I owe my growth to you. Christmas will be different for all of us. Gone are the tall coconut trees, the lovely boardwalk along Cloud 9 where we have our moments, most of the establishments where we share a drink and chat, and the beauty of the island. Before leaving the island, instead of tears, people remain hopeful, sharing food and alcohol, making sure that everyone’s enjoying their time despite the aftermath.
I am writing this comfortably in my home in Makati. I hope help gets there faster. I was unsure whether Siargao was for me during my first month. I adjusted a lot, cried a lot, and wanted to go home many times.
Siargao will make you grow. I am now stronger than before, thank you, Siargao. Instead of tears, I am putting my energy to help rebuild the island.
My typhoon story.
Day 1, December 16, 2021 (Thurs)
On the day of typhoon Odette, I still had the energy to work in the morning. I thought it was just fine and normal until we lost power. I was able to message my family to tell them that I evacuated and that power would most likely be gone. I wouldn’t be able to communicate with them since my phone was broken, and that I love them.
We lost both power and signal so quickly. I thought it was normal to turn it off. Everyone in the room just talked to each other to let the time pass. I fell asleep during the peak of the storm. We were lucky enough to evacuate in a comfortable area where it is concrete. When I woke up, the storm wasn’t done. We had to use the mattresses to lean against the door because we were afraid that the door would open. Little did we know, the roofing and ceiling upstairs were already gone and our friends had to move to a place (co-working space) on the same floor where it was safe.
When it was over, we all worked together to ensure everyone gets to eat. We spent the night drinking. I spent every night drinking to cope with what happened. I was so drunk I puked everywhere, slept walk, and went to other beds to sleep. I spent the night speaking in straight Japanese as well LOL.
Most of us used alcohol as a bandaid solution for the shock that we all experienced.
Day 2, December 17, 2021 (Fri)
Phone still broken, no signal, and no electricity.
The next day, we decided to visit home. I didn’t know what to think when I went home in Saging Saging. The roof was damaged, the walls were gone, all the stuff where everywhere, wet or damaged. All my hobbies, gone in a snap. I just sat down on the second floor for a long time, nakatulala. I didn’t know what to think, what to say, I could only stare far away and feel the breeze post-typhoon. I still had plans to live next year in Malinao because I haven’t seen the damages yet. I was being selfish again since I was dealing with a breakup with my best friend. Funny how little did I know at that moment that all of Siargao is damaged
We decided to walk around to see what happened outside. Walked from our place, near Kalipay, all the way to Talisayan, under the sun. We didn’t notice the heat and the long walks because we were distracted by the aftermath. Trying to get a sense of normalcy, we still went for a swim by Barrel’s beach front. There are people swimming too. On the way back, we kept on stopping whenever we saw a common friend, just to catch up.
At night, we drank again with friends we met during the storm.
Day 3, December 18 (Saturday)
I woke up before sunrise, I couldn’t sleep because sleeping in a dorm room with folks who had different sleeping habits was difficult. I couldn’t sleep again so I decided to walk back to my home. I realized that nothing will happen if I don’t move. I decided to wash clothes, which by the way were very dirty and hard to wash. I had to use the well too get water for laundry. I cleaned, washed clothes, and cleared some debris. I was very tired and took a long nap. When I woke up, the landlord and his family was there.
After an exhausting early morning, we decided to visit the port and the airport to check how we can go home. I was very tired but hopeful because we saw a plane take off — it was a humanitarian plane that brought relief goods into the island.
That night, I was prepared to leave the day after and made plans with my best friend to talk in the evening, but not all things go according to plan and a miscommunication caused bigger wounds that we cannot undo anymore. If I had it differently, I would have gone to these places with you and share my last moments with you, under the full moon. In an alternate reality, maybe we shared those moments.
He promised that he would show up, but never did. I made a stupid decision again and made him worry and wait for 3 hours.
The night ended with more argument and obscurity. It didn’t have to be but we were different people and clashed a lot.
Day 4, December 19 (Sunday)
Today was supposed to be my flight going home so we took a stab and went to the airport. We parted ways and I went with a different group of friends, relatives who are now I consider family. I never had this bond with my relatives which is why I enjoyed every single moment with them. They would always keep me under the shade and made sure that I have water and food. They entertained me throughout the waiting game. I wish I could have cousins like them.
We didn’t make the cut. I went back to GL during the night even if I had the option to stay with my new family that evening, because, honestly, I didn’t want to end things in a bad note. I had another chance to enjoy my last moments with my best friend because I don’t know how the following days, weeks, and months would be. If it would be the last time with him, then I didn’t want it to be sour.
We spent the night drinking with our surfer friend and landlord. It was a memorable experience because I wasn’t really close to the land owner because I always had work when he would ask us for drinks, but this time, he shared stories, stories that made me think we’re more similiar actually. I loved all the stories he shared.
We didn’t have a chance to talk, but I don’t think it was necessary anyway because his presence was enough.
Day 5, December 20 (Monday)
I missed my alarm. I’ve been drinking the past few days that I didn’t have the right mind to pack the things I wanted to pack. I took the habal going to the airport. Luckily, my friends were still there. I think I arrived around 6am. We shared stories again and I met acquiantances again. We all knew we can make it to Manila today, we just don’t know what time.
All of us had PAL flight tickets going home so we were prioritized when PAL humanitarian flights came. There was wifi inside the airport, even though it was weak, it was enough for us to tell our families that we are safe.
I thought I was going to sleep but we just had enjoyed conversations, because I know that I won’t see them for a long time.
We arrived in Manila and my friends left. I waited for a while for my dad to pick me up. On the way home, everything felt unfamiliar even if I lived in the city my entire life. The whole of Manila was bright, it wasn’t scarce, unlike Siargao without power, signal, and water.
My mom cried a lot when she saw me but I reassured her that I wasn’t sad, and that I became stronger than ever for being an Odette Survivor.
— —
Maybe I haven’t processed it yet, maybe I didn’t need to. Maybe I don’t want to.
I wouldn’t call Siargao my home but I have learned so much about myself and about people in the island — both good and bad. Siargao will always have a special place in my heart.
