IT’S ALMOST CHRISTMAS BUT…

I feel guilty whenever I want to spend money to celebrate the holidays knowing millions out there in Visayas, in places I’ve been in Samar and Leyte are still without homes or proper food to eat everyday.

As Sir Gerry Lirio told me, I need to be debriefed. I refused to accept that I was traumatized by my experience because that was tame compared with what the other journalists had been through.

Still my Christmas seems dysfunctional already. I would probably need counseling.

Palo Cathedral with its roof torn up and peeled by the 300-kph winds of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan). Photo by Likha Cuevas-Miel

AND THE BOOK CLOSES WHEN WE TRY TO FORGET…

Catbalogan Pier

 

…But I know things won’t change
About how we feel, how life goes on
And it feels so strange
And so the light fades away
Try, try, try as I may…              

                                                                —Phil Collins, “Everyday”

And for as long as I live, I will never forget the things that I’ve seen the two weeks ago. Some of my photos are beautiful and at the same time haunting. The truth in those pictures could never be hidden but the raw emotions could only be felt when you’re there. Photos could tug at your heartstrings but it’s different when you feel the pain in the air.