I grew up in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Sitting dead center of Typhoon Alley, right at the edge of the Ring of Fire, while riding on its very own tectonic plate, I wouldn't say that the Philippines is exactly situated in the safest corner of the world. Every year the country I call home is torn into pieces by heavy typhoons, floods, and earthquakes, so much so that I've become numb to the destruction. It's almost unnatural to say, but I think everyone who lives there has developed a small sense of normality to the natural calamities we experience.  

When overseas relatives and friends asked how my family was doing when Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit a few days ago, I didn't think too much about it. "It's just another typhoon. Happens all the time." It wasn't until yesterday when I caught a glimpse of the evening news on TV that I saw the extent of Yolanda's wrath. It was on a whole other level. 

Entire ships were pushed mainland. Buildings were knocked over. Trees uprooted and bodies everywhere. Some claim that the level of destruction equals, or even surpasses, that of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. With an estimated 10,000 people dead in one city alone, over four million affected, and entire communities and livelihoods crushed into rubble, my heart tremored knowing that many of the locals who lived in poorly built makeshift houses made out of sheet metal couldn't have stood a chance against the 235 mph winds. 

President Aquino of the Philippines declared a state of calamity as aid flies in from all over the world. The UK has donated 6 million pounds. Australia: AUS $6 million. The South Korean government just released word a few hours ago that they are sending out US $5 million, as well as a bulk of relief goods. The numbers keep rising. I just hope that all the money being donated goes into rebuilding the nation and not into the pockets of some corrupt politician.

Photos via Daily Mail