‘I am titanium’

The lyrics of the chorus from this David Guetta (sung by Sia) hit “Titanium” go:

“I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose

Fire away, fire away

Ricochet, you take your aim

Fire away, fire away

You shoot me down but I won’t fall

I am titanium”

I’m not quite sure what the song is about, but it might as well be sung by every single survivor of the natural calamities that pelt our country year in and year out.

Earthquake? I am titanium. Typhoon? I am titanium. An earthquake followed by a typhoon, which might be followed by yet another typhoon? Right.

High death toll

Major news outlets report a very high death toll in Tacloban and its environs. The photographs flashed on TV look almost surreal, like scenes from a big-budget blockbuster movie. Roofs have been torn off churches, schools and homes, from the very structures that were supposed to keep communities safe. Pounding rain, 315-kph winds and storm surges took lives and property.

It was a storm of biblical proportions. Unprecedented. It was too strong to even measure accurately. It was nothing anyone on earth had ever seen before. Thus, it was something no one could adequately prepare for.

Frantic search

Friends on Facebook who had family or friends in the area frantically searched for any bit of news about their loved ones. One friend who was raised in Tacloban lost her family home. Her singular lament was that now, her children would never get to see the place where she grew up. Another friend found relief in knowing that her uncle and his family were spared “Yolanda’s” wrath; yet another offered his home as refuge for friends who have just arrived in Manila.

Truly, it will take a long time before things can return to normal.

In the meantime, the entertainment industry is abuzz, raising funds for those displaced by the supertyphoon, extending helping hands to those in need.

Singing to help

On Saturday, ABS-CBN will hold a concert at Araneta Coliseum for the benefit of the victims.

Our previous fundraising concert, “Jammin’ for HELP,” will have another edition, I’m sure (we have no dates yet, but once we know what’s going on, so will you all).

The past “Jammin’” sessions were quite successful in raising funds and collecting goods (the Philippine Red Cross was incredibly helpful in facilitating all of that); we shall definitely do it again.

Unique concert

Finally, I will have solo concerts on Dec. 6 and 7 at the PICC, entitled “Playlist,” to celebrate 35 years as a singer. Part of the proceeds will go to Supertyphoon Yolanda relief, and the Red Cross will also help with collecting monetary donations as well as relief goods at the PICC. So to those who come to the concert, bring old clothes, bottled water, canned goods, whatever you can spare. Every little bit helps. For tickets, call Ticketworld (891-9999) or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Other concerts and fundraising efforts of different kinds are being organized around the country, demonstrating how big artistic hearts really are.

Sleeves rolled up

Social media networks have been rife with many status updates critical of how this grave situation is being handled. Fingers are being pointed; however, none of this is helpful in any way toward getting people back on their feet.

Now is the time for us as a people and a nation to prove our resiliency and unity. This devastation is in our backyard. Plenty of work that needs to be done, even beyond relief efforts and donations.

Much to learn

As horrible as all this is, an opportunity to rebuild from the ground up has now presented itself. There is much to learn from this tragedy … how to build stronger structures that can withstand typhoons’ regular visits … how to educate people on what to do once the warnings of a strong storm are issued … how to create infrastructure to make sure that the tragic consequences of Supertyphoon Yolanda won’t happen again.

Time to roll our sleeves up. Let’s get to work.