I've been a research coordinator for these areas in the past and I know it pretty well. The long stretch of seashore composed of many municipalities from Tacloban City, Leyte Province to the south of the island are all devastated. And Leyte is just one of the island provinces affected.
The series of photos will speak for themselves.
a ship slammed the shore
a lone survivor in a ghost town
dead bodies piled on top of tables and wheelbarrows
survivors moving forward
All these photos are from a site with compiled photos which i guess are also from other sources.
http://www.allvoices.com written by Stef de la Cruz.
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I sent a donation earlier today to help, I know it won't go far, but it is something. Mostly I've been praying, sending out compassionate energy toward your nation. It is good that you and your immediate family are safe Andrea, I hope you hear some news of your friends soon and that they too are safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Laura for your concern and positive energies sent this way. I am also touched by the flow of energies from all my foreigneer FB and blogger friends for me, my family and my countrymen. I've also seen the Global Coherence Initiative in the US encouraging its members to direct their love care focus to this country. God bless you all.
DeleteHi Andrea, words cannot express how deeply sad I am for our country. I feel so helpless watching the devastation from afar. I'm thankful that my family in the Philippines are safe but I don't know if all my friends are. I'm glad to hear you and your family are safe. I also hope the your friends are safe, too.
ReplyDeleteYes Marisol, i think everybody like us who are not physically affected felt the same thing, and if only we can do more we will. At least my friends are slowly showing up, life moves on.
DeleteThese are the sad defining moments in our lifetime. Hope the people of Philippines won't have to go through such tragic hardships ever again. Thank God you and family members are safe.
ReplyDeleteMy appreciation for you Autumn Belle, for always being there with me. I think physical meetings are not really important in loving friendships, it transcends among spirits.
DeleteThis is so sad! Wish by some means the people were evacuated from the place before the tragedy struck.
ReplyDeleteI am praying for those who survived, let God give them strength to carry on bravely! I am failing in my words to express my exact feelings!
These are places which are really exposed to the sea, and far from high grounds. Besides, this is the first time that a Signal # 4 typhoon was experienced in our territory. In fact, if there is a signal #5 it might even belong there. Thanks for praying for us and sending positive energies.
DeleteThe horror is beyond words. We must all do everything in our power, no matter how small or inadequate it might seem, to help in this devastating situation.
ReplyDeleteYou are very right Dorothy, this horror is beyond words. My posts in FB and blogs actually gets positive energies, love and concern from all my friends around the world, and that alone is beyond financial donations. God bless you too.
DeleteOh My Heart… Makes me cry my eyes out. I'm sure that George and I will contribute to help those people. God Bless them ALL….
ReplyDeleteGlad that you and your family are fine --but as you said, there are many others who aren't….
Hugs and Prayers,
Betsy
Betsy and George, as i also told you earlier, I am very much touched by all my FB and blogger friends. These pouring of love and concern really touched my spirit so much, and i really shed my tears from the words more! Thank you so much. God bless the two of you, and may you always be healthy.
DeleteI'm glad you and your family are safe, but the devastation is almost unbelievable. I hope aid gets to these poor people quickly.
ReplyDeleteThanks also George. My reply to Betsy is for both of you. There's a lot of relief goods, unfortunately clearing of highways and restoring communications or electricity is not easy, while the people's hunger cannot wait for these developments. It really is very depressing.
Deleteheartbreaking sights. my heart goes to my country.
ReplyDeleteWe need your prayers, love and help! thanks Maria.
DeleteDear Everybody, I haven't cried while watching television news, i wonder why tears are falling while reading your comments here. Your concern and love transcended to me and i felt them, so my gratefulness goes to you all. Thank you very much and God bless us all.
ReplyDeleteIt's a huge relief to know that you and your family are okay. The scale of the devastation is simply beyond my understanding at the moment. I keep seeing lots of video clips and photos, but I know this can only show a very small part of what has actually happened. It's simply heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteThat is right Bernie, photos are just a very small part of the real thing, just like a camera frame compared to the wide angle shot. Yes it is beyond words. Thanks for thinking about me and my family, it is much appreciated my friend.
DeleteIt is good to hear you and your family are safe! The devastation is so horrible and my heart breaks for those that lost loved ones and all they owned. I made a donation to the International Red Cross today. I hope help gets there soon!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, i think this is your first time to drop by my blogsite, and not at lovely times. I appreciate your concern and help to our countrymen. God bless you.
DeleteUnbelievable, I can't imagine how terrible it must be there, even after seeing the devastation in your photos. I had a call for donations on my blog yesterday - I wish you and your family the very best.
ReplyDeleteMy appreciation for this kind of calls to help my countrymen. Information about my friends start to surface one by one, i hope everyone is okay, but that doesn't diminish the anguish we feel for the rest of the devastation. God bless you Katrin.
DeleteCompassionate thoughts and prayers are doubtless being offered worldwide for those impacted by this devastating event. May God empower the survivors and their distant families to strengthen their existing bonds and reach out to those who have no-one. Praying that food, clean water and medical supplies get through to those in most need.
ReplyDeleteYes Valerie, all of these are pouring in now, from different individuals, groups and countries. Let the survivors be able to heal in spirit quickly and move on! Thank you very much.
DeleteThe devastation is awful and our hearts goes to the victims. We've done our little bit to help from here and are personally encouraging friends to do the same. Our thoughts are with everyone there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark and Gaz, everybody gives their share, and mostly love, concern and prayers. We will move on.
DeleteI'm glad you and family are safe. It's such a horrible tragedy. Hopefully relief aid gets there quickly.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Thanks Cher, people and government are doing their best to clear the way physically, so that relief goods, medicines and engineers will be able to hasten restoration. But the scar is so big and will linger in the spirit.
DeleteOh, Andrea, how we feel and pray for you all and for your beautiful country. The photos in one sense 'say it all' but in another probably barely scratch the surface of what many are feeling and experiencing. You remain in our hearts ...
ReplyDeleteMy appreciation for you Caroline for the concern and the prayers. You are right, the photos are just representation of a very negligible portion of the sufferings. I hope many will still pray and send us positive energies, to let us move on faster with this unusual times.
DeleteThose photos say so much more than words can ever express. Looking at the extent of devastation I wonder how the authorities will bring order to the chaos and help the survivors. My thoughts and prayers are with you at such a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Fun60 for your very kind words and positive thoughts for our people. The authorities despite their 24/7 dedication in doing what they can are still blamed for the slow distribution of relief goods. People despite kindness are also cruel so fast to judge.
DeleteSuch devastation. I am glad you are your family are okay.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Karen for the concern and nice thoughts.
DeleteI am so glad to hear you are OK. I am very saddened for your country and shocked at the power of nature. The devastating photos are, like what you said, being seen the world around. I can tell you, the world mourns too.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna, we can see the outpouring of support both in prayers and in kind from around the world. It is truly amazing and we are so gratefull for these. God bless us all. Thanks you too for the personal concern for me and my family, my gratitude!
DeleteThe images of the devastation are just heartwrenching. I am glad to hear that you and your family are fine. I'll keep saying prayers, and I hope you hear from your friends soon.
ReplyDeleteMy gratitude goes for you HolleyGarden in praying for us here. Positive thoughts and energies will go a long way in healing our devastated country and spirit.
DeleteSuch unbelievable devastation. I find it hard to comprehend. I have been so impressed with the Philippine people interviewed on British television. One lady this morning was shown scraping the mud from the rubble that used to be her home. She simply said, we can survive here, we can sleep outside, all we need is food. We don't need television or cell phones or technology, just food. Such a brave lady and she seems to sum up the people there. I hope that more help can arrive quickly. I find this story so sad. Much more so than other disasters that have recently hit the news.
ReplyDeleteHello Nick, i know you are not my constant follower for my posts, but i am so grateful now for your concern and good thoughts for our country and people. Despite the bad actions shown by some people to find sustenance, it is also the time when the best from people around the world come to the surface. I thank the good souls praying and helping us in thoughts and in kind! God bless you too.
DeleteSuch devastation, it really is sad. I am glad your family is OK. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of the Philippines. Thanks for sharing this post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen, i thought of posting this as i owe some responsibility to my blogger friends. And i am correct, they are looking for me here. My gratitude to all.
DeleteI am so happy to see this post. I have been thinking about you since this happened and am so happy to see you, but am horrified at the devastation and loss of life. I know that many countries are reaching out and so many people. I am so sorry Andrea.... Hug... Michelle
ReplyDeleteDear Michelle, I am also glad i finally decided to post this, because i thought i need to inform my friends in the blogosphere. I was right as many of you checked for my safety here, and yes relieved I and my family are safe. My gratitude for you too personally. God bless us all.
DeleteSo terrible. Our thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jim, despite your always very short words, you send us your positive thoughts.
DeleteHope God gives mercy and strength to those who needs it badly.
ReplyDeleteMay Grace be given to those you are helpless - that help miraculously come.
My gratitude goes to you too James, for your prayers and positive thoughts for me and our people.
DeleteI am horrified at the damage that occurred in the Philippines. Such a beautiful country. Such wonderful people. Thoughts and prayers are being sent your way. I am glad that you are safe.
ReplyDeleteJM Illinois
U.S.A.
Yes, it really is scary to see the aftermath, with deaths and total devastation. Thank you very much for your prayers and good thoughts for us, may you be fully blessed too.
DeleteThe devastation and tragedy is really sad. My heart goes out to all these unfortunate people. May aid reach these people fast to ease their suffering. I'm very glad that you and your family is safe. It must be a huge relief.
ReplyDeleteMy gratitude for the prayers and concern. Different people have different styles of judgements for what they see, it sometimes is easy to judge than understand fully. At any rate, it is also an opportunity to bring out the best from most people and eventually the positives will melt the negatives!
DeleteOur family has made a donation through Shelterbox / Rotary International. Hope this helps towards alleviating the plight of these unfortunate people in any way.
DeleteThose photos say so much more than words and I'm glad you and family are safe!
ReplyDeleteMy thanks to you for thinking favorably for me and my family, it really is appreciated and will go a long way!
DeleteLinda, i am glad i decided to post this, actually for my blogger friends like you who has good thoughts and concern. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteDear Andrea... we are relieved to hear that you and your family are doing ok... Japan and Philippines, along with perhaps Taiwan, share similar fate in that we are situated in the ring of fire as as well as the path of the typhoons... our hearts and prayer are with the people of the Philippines...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lrong. My appreciation for your personal concern and positive thoughts for our country and people. Being in an archipelagic country is very good in terms of biodiversity and beauty, however this is one of its natural risk!
DeleteAndrea, I'm so glad to hear you and your family are safe and not affected by the typhoon. I immediately thought of you when I heard the news. Such a terrible tragedy.
ReplyDeleteDear Andrea, I am so thankful that you and your family were spared the horror of the typhoon. The images are so devastating and heartbreaking. I cannot imagine . . . it is hard to believe that this is the 'second' deadliest typhoon to hit the Philippines. The people lost and families stricken along with all the loss of home and livelihood . . . too, too difficult to hold on to. I am so sorry for your friends and hope that you will be able to make contact soon to know they are OK. I know it seems odd to mention but the landscape too must have been so beautiful and old trees lost too . . . I do not know the land but only wonder about that and all the wildlife lay to waste. I am so deeply sorry of all the suffering.
ReplyDelete