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A Brief Taste of Dystopia

A bright, picturesque day was something none of them ever expected to turn
out as the most world-shattering tragedy of the century.
It came without warning. The sky was blue and calm, and the sun was up,
says fifteen-year-old Mariel Lloyd Dio, while recalling the tragic catastrophe
that has destroyed Tacloban beyond recognition, turning the dynamic town
into an unidentifiable wreckage.
The storm started innocently enough as a not-so-threatening breeze, blowing
harmlessly past the swaying branches, which Mariel was not exactly
apprehensive of.
When the clock struck 5 AM, all hell broke loose. Lightning tore the sky into
separate sheets. Thunder shook the ground, as it bellowed angrily. The wind
sliced past the thick trunk of trees, successfully snapping them into two.
I didnt know what was happening; I couldnt hear anything, couldnt see. I
even felt that Kamatayan was there, waiting for a chance to take me. Death
was something she thought inevitable at that moment, when she was being
carried away by the rampaging current of the water.
Her mother, Mrs. Dio, wasnt all that fortunate though, for she died doing a
heroic deed, when she saved a three-year-old toddler from drowning to
death. Seeing her dead mothers lifeless visage shattered her into millions of
pieces, and the pain was nearly unbearable. The news of the child not being
able to make it brought a sharp pang in her chest.
Even if you know how to swimIt wont matter anymore. The storm was too
strong. The flood she trailed off, sadness reflected on her eyes, but she
held herself up, squared her shoulders, and smiled wryly, Ive already
accepted everything, though. It was all unavoidable.
Tacloban, despite of its rather large population, had citizens who were
disciplined enough to maintain their spotless demeanor, according to
Cassilyn Boman-eg, a fourteen-year-old survivor of Yolandas assault on the
Visayan Peninsula.
The Boman-egs had little time to prepare, but they thought they were ready
enough to ride out the unpleasant weather; however, when the surging wind
had already been close to lifting up the roof of their house, they took that as
a sign to seek refuge in a safer area.
At that point of time, Cassylins family packed their bags in a desperate
attempt to escape the likelihood of them ending up on the list of casualties.
They retreated themselves to the second floor of their neighbors home, all
eight of them, including their baby who was less than a year old.
Regardless of the small string of safety the house offered, the Boman-eg
family wasnt exactly comfortable at their situation the small place was

crowded, barely sufficient to house more than sixteen people, all cramped up
together like in a can of sardines.
It was a good thing we didnt stay at the evacuation centers one was near
the sea, where we jog sometimes, stated Cassylin, Wed probably be dead
by now. It was an unsafe area, and many died.
Education is really important, because youll never know whatll happen.
People should always be aware of anything in order to survive, was
Cassylins advice. She still puts up a smile a perfect picture of a person
with unyielding will and hope, no matter what disaster occurs.
Playing with his cousins, Christian Mateo was clearly unaware of the
impending typhoon. When Yolanda finally set foot on the town, with the flood
getting taller and taller every second, they sought solace up in the ceiling of
their house where they stayed all throughout the storm, praying and
requesting to God for safety and guidance in the middle of the devastation.
He felt as if their house was slowly being disintegrated by the bullet-like
raindrops plummeting against the rooftop. Downstairs, the floodwater
spiraled into a huge vortex that resembled something akin to a blackhole.
But he took no notice of it as he closed his eyes shut, and continued
muttering his silent prayer for everything to go back to normal.
They finally descended from their temporary haven after two days, and when
he glanced outside, he almost wished he didnt. Corpses littered the whole
area; some were stuck under the debris, plastered on the walls, hanging on
broken tree branches. The stench nearly impaled his nostrils.
It was the peoples fault, Christian asserted, If they only gave water to the
old man, none of this couldve happened. A rumor was circulating around
town of a scraggly beggar, who went to a water refilling station one day. He
needed water to quench his thirst, but he had no money with him. The
storeowner drove him away, saying that he was too smelly for his shop. Then
the old man shouted angrily, You refused to give me water, then I shall be
the one who will bring water to you!
Whatever doesnt kill you makes you stronger, an old proverb goes. As these
survivors conjured up the events that took place during the widespread
havoc, distress and sorrow clouded their eyes. They were still able to pull
through, nevertheless, with their unrelenting resolve and sheer willpower,
making them strong enough to lift up the corner of their lips into a hopeful
smile.

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