Scarred for a Lifetime

a news article

Scarred for a lifetime

 

Typhoon Yolanda paints an apocalyptic picture to a town once graced with nature's beauty and smiling citizens.

 

It was Nov. 8, 2013, Friday, when the typhoon struck Tapaz, Capiz in Panay Island, leaving behind stories of loss, devastated homes, and traumatized victims--not even sparing the most vulnerable citizens of the society.

 

These children should have been playing hide-and-seek instead of clearing away the roads with fallen trunks, toying with dolls or cars instead of collecting the remains of their properties, and laughing away the cares of the world instead of shouldering the uncertainties of the unknown.

 

Jane Galagate, a 5-year-old victim, witnessed the devastation of her humble home before she fled with her family to the safer confines of her uncle's house.

 

"Gaginutok kami sa dalum lamesa. Tam-an ka lamig. Gahilibi kami. (We were squeezed under the table. It was so cold. We were crying.)," she recalls as her watery eyes drift back to the unpleasant memory.

 

Together with his family, 10-year-old John Mark Gimeno was driven homeless and was forced to endure the ruthless sighs of the monster typhoon in a nearby gym for more than three hours.

 

"Ginpalid ang atop ka gym. Abi namon malumpag ang gym kag mapatay kami. (The roof of the gym was blown away. We thought the gym was going to collapse and we were going to die.)," says John Mark, whose face stiffened to conceal grief but his trembling voice reveals the crushed spirit within.

 

He further confesses that he still gets scared whenever the weather threatens to replay the tragedy.

 

"Wala ko gahibi kay hambal ni mama indi ako magpakulba. (I don’t  cry because my mother told me not to be afraid.)," adds John Mark.

 

Even acting chief of police Leomindo S. Tayopon, who have sheltered 10 families in the police station of Tapaz, Capiz, noticed the alarming behavoirs exhibited by the children.

 

He says, “Kung magsugod na gani kusog ka hangin kag ang kalangiton gadulom nga manug-ulan, gasala ang mga bata. (Whenever the wind starts to strengthen and the clouds darken to announce rain, the children get panicky.)”

 

Society has trained children to repress fears, to put on a facade of strength, and to deal with the tragedy like seasoned warriors.

 

As the town paves the way to recovery by providing the citizens with the help extended by the generous of hearts, these children victims plead that the help may go beyond the physical needs and may it also aid their psychological scars as well.

-------------------------------REVISED---------------------------------

 

Capiz children scared, scarred

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Writing new is hard. They want direct words and nothing else. Few reporters had transfer to great writers. A good writer write what she see and understand. I like how you wrote the story. You made the situation come alive with your words. Thank you for sharing the story.
Coyote

[SpeedyHobbit Armstrong]

It definitely looks very professional while at the same time conveying an interesting albeit heartbreaking story. Poor kids *tear* It did a good job of delving into the PTSD many of them are struggling with

[Woody]

First off, I know nothing about journalism, so my opinion is just that, a layman's opinion. I thought the revised version was written in a professional way. it looks like many I've read in various papers.
having said that, the original vergion was very well written also but in a sentimental way (hard to avoid), done by a writer rather than a journalist. don't get me wrong, I love it and you picked a sad and interesting topic. children should not be subjected to such atrocities that life seems to enjoy dishing on them from time to time.
God, I hope you won't hate me for this review.

[Eddie Davis]

Blue, it looks quite professional to me and I think you did a fine job. You would have no trouble working for a newspaper.