Fearless In Floods
Recalling that painfully bleak weekend, our chief Zo Aguila reaches out to Cosmo chicks everywhere and declares why these rains SHOULD forever change our lives.
Posted on October 6, 2009 06:00 pm
Photo: Doranne Lim (lead photo)
Posted on October 6, 2009 06:00 pm
Photo: Doranne Lim (lead photo)
Recently, our country suffered a massive tragedy. On September 26, heavy rains poured and floods lambasted towns and cities. It made no distinction among classes, genders, or religions. Careless as to how it may destroy lives or affect families, it violently drowned villages, forced people out of their homes, desecrated property, and took lives.
As adaptable as Pinoys may be, we weren’t made to thrive in a “Water World.”
I started writing this blog entry as I switched between the live news coverage and radio reports, sobbing as I heard cries for help over the AM bandwidth and weeping as I saw our countrymen perched on the roofs of their houses. It was real. I was worried sick for friends and loved ones. And, I’m sure, like many of you, I was hoping to wake up from the nightmare.
On Preaching And Paranoia
I admit: I am scared. There are so many things happening in the world, things too drastically alarming; it’s scary. Praning as I’ve always been, close colleagues used to roll their eyes when I’d drone on and on about my latest research on climate change and natural catastrophes. Drinking buddies would rant about some of my weighty, mood-dampening monologues when we were downing “acopol” (“a couple for the road”). Now in the aftermath, I’m channelling my paranoia to be more prepared—and urging the people I care about to be prepared as well.
In the past, we’ve called upon you to be fearless for your survival. We’ve implored for you to defend your rights in the work place, safeguard your heart and ditch hazardous relationships, and protect yourself form being trampled upon. In each case, we understood that your personal issues and individual heartbreaks were so immensely huge that you needed Cosmo to feel the pain with you and walk you through them. This time, this tragedy is far bigger than any of our personal realities. It appeals to all our sensibilities, forcing us to reach out, toughen up, do something.
Zo helps out at one of the relief centers. Click here for more ideas on where to go and how to help.
Fearlessly—There’s No Other Way
I will not preach and say that these things really happen or dismissively declare that we resilient Pinoys can hack it—we’re used to such misfortune anyway. There is no belittling the loss and grief of those affected by this catastrophe. Instead, on behalf of your Cosmo family, I will encourage you to trudge forward. Difficult as it is, muster the courage to survive, even if things seem painfully unfair and even if you’ll set out and start up with hardly anything. THIS IS THE TIME THAT CALLS FOR US TO BE MORE FEARLESS THAN WE’VE EVER BEEN.
There is no longer any excuse to be careless or indifferent—not about the environment, not about our country, and not even about politics. The times call for us to be involved, ready, generous, and fearless—all for our survival and that of our loved ones.
Our prayers go out to all our countrymen—Cosmo chicks, loved ones, friends, and even strangers. May we find the courage in our faith and the strength in each other to rise from this tragedy, rebuild our lives once again, while looking forward to a tomorrow full of hope and clearer skies.
To everyone, keep safe and well.
* Pick up our upcoming November issue for a primer on today’s excessive flooding in “Cosmo News’ Global Report” and our “Cosmo Girl’s Disaster Survival Guide.”
* Check out our handy links below for news updates on selfless celebs and Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts:
As adaptable as Pinoys may be, we weren’t made to thrive in a “Water World.”
I started writing this blog entry as I switched between the live news coverage and radio reports, sobbing as I heard cries for help over the AM bandwidth and weeping as I saw our countrymen perched on the roofs of their houses. It was real. I was worried sick for friends and loved ones. And, I’m sure, like many of you, I was hoping to wake up from the nightmare.
On Preaching And Paranoia
I admit: I am scared. There are so many things happening in the world, things too drastically alarming; it’s scary. Praning as I’ve always been, close colleagues used to roll their eyes when I’d drone on and on about my latest research on climate change and natural catastrophes. Drinking buddies would rant about some of my weighty, mood-dampening monologues when we were downing “acopol” (“a couple for the road”). Now in the aftermath, I’m channelling my paranoia to be more prepared—and urging the people I care about to be prepared as well.
In the past, we’ve called upon you to be fearless for your survival. We’ve implored for you to defend your rights in the work place, safeguard your heart and ditch hazardous relationships, and protect yourself form being trampled upon. In each case, we understood that your personal issues and individual heartbreaks were so immensely huge that you needed Cosmo to feel the pain with you and walk you through them. This time, this tragedy is far bigger than any of our personal realities. It appeals to all our sensibilities, forcing us to reach out, toughen up, do something.
Zo helps out at one of the relief centers. Click here for more ideas on where to go and how to help.
Fearlessly—There’s No Other Way
I will not preach and say that these things really happen or dismissively declare that we resilient Pinoys can hack it—we’re used to such misfortune anyway. There is no belittling the loss and grief of those affected by this catastrophe. Instead, on behalf of your Cosmo family, I will encourage you to trudge forward. Difficult as it is, muster the courage to survive, even if things seem painfully unfair and even if you’ll set out and start up with hardly anything. THIS IS THE TIME THAT CALLS FOR US TO BE MORE FEARLESS THAN WE’VE EVER BEEN.
There is no longer any excuse to be careless or indifferent—not about the environment, not about our country, and not even about politics. The times call for us to be involved, ready, generous, and fearless—all for our survival and that of our loved ones.
Our prayers go out to all our countrymen—Cosmo chicks, loved ones, friends, and even strangers. May we find the courage in our faith and the strength in each other to rise from this tragedy, rebuild our lives once again, while looking forward to a tomorrow full of hope and clearer skies.
To everyone, keep safe and well.
* Pick up our upcoming November issue for a primer on today’s excessive flooding in “Cosmo News’ Global Report” and our “Cosmo Girl’s Disaster Survival Guide.”
* Check out our handy links below for news updates on selfless celebs and Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts:
Tags: celebs,disasters,flood,typhoon Ondoy,calamity,helping out
Advertisements
Follow
us on:
us on:
POPULAR IN COSMO COMMUNITY
-
A New York State Of Mind
Associate fashion editor Happy Lopez shows us snapshots from her amazing trip to New York... READ MORE
-
New Year On High
Cosmo.ph photographer and graphic artist Jico Joson went up to Baguio to welcome 2012--and play... READ MORE
RECEIVE COSMO.PH WEEKLY!
Join thousands of subscribers enjoying our fab weekly Wednesday sendouts, and get EXCLUSIVE celeb news, tips, and promos right in your inbox.
