Typhoon Haiyan Hits The Philippines, by Noemi Rabina

November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan hit Leyte, the famous historical province in the Visayan Islands of the Philippines. It was here in 1944 where Gen. Douglas McArthur landed to liberate the country from Japan, who had ruled the country for about four years. Since then, Leyte has been a peaceful and beautiful province with the white sandy shore that attracted many visitors. But now, a great devastation has happened as the strongest typhoon Haiyan pounded on the land, killing thousands of people and reducing the once beautiful city into rubbles. The whole world has seen and heard the cry of the people. It was so heart-breaking! 

I thought I had already experienced nature's worst typhoon when I was in Manila.  It was signal #3, and I was caught working in the hospital many miles from home. The city streets were flooded. No more public transportation. People were wading in the dark dirty water to get home. I had to follow the crowd in my nurse's white uniform. It took me more than four hours to get home when it used to be less than an hour ride on a usual day. 

We were often visited by typhoons, usually in November and December, and typhoons were always named after women. That is because women are more aggressive, and unpredictable. For typhoons signal #1-#3, schools and public offices were closed, but they never excuse the workers from the hospitals. If they cannot report due to lack of transportation, the hospital ambulance will come and get them. 

To the affected people of Leyte, let us be a good neighbor, to help them the way we can. Jesus said, "What ever you have done to the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto me."