For several days already, the news has constantly been featuring stories of devastation and heroism brought on by the great typhoon Ondoy. Pictures of cities and villages that were literally drowned by the huge floods are constant components of every evening news programs in every local channel.

Even up to now, the streets of some of the familiar areas we pass by showcase a stack of soaked and damaged appliances from the houses of nearby residents. Piles on the road would often consist of drenched sofas, beds, tv stands, tables, damaged electronic equipments such as electric fans, TV sets, DVD players, radios, and even computers. It’s really sad.

But do you know what’s worse? There are people out there who would take advantage of the chaos and confusion to actually steal from others. The government can’t utilize the people properly to help themselves. So-called victims, even after the storm, are drowning themselves in self-pity and have taken to just relying on relief goods and support from others.

Filipinos are capable of so much more. We can withstand greater challenges and we have. Let’s not give in to despair and sorrow. We are so much better than this, so much stronger, so much more, typhoon or no typhoon.