Ormoc in 45 Hours
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| Ormoc 2016, Sabin Beach Hotel and Resort |
It's past midnight now and I just woke up from a dream which prompted me to scribe about my travel outside Cebu last month. Technically speaking, it wasn't a travel for pleasure as it was mainly a work-related travel. Nevertheless, I did enjoy my frenetic 45 hours love affair with the city of Ormoc.
Ormoc was one of the cities in the Philippines which were heavily damaged by typhoon Haiyan (commonly known in our country as Typhoon Yolanda) three years ago. It wasn't that long when the tropical cyclone hit, and the word chaotic would be an understatement if I were to describe the destruction which came along with it.
Upon arriving Ormoc, I immediately took the executive decision to go beyond its periphery amidst the fact that darkness already blanketed the sky. I was surprised to find out that city is recovering fast. Though it hasn't fully recovered yet, progress is evident all over the place. No, I'm not talking about high-rise buildings or high-speed cars. Ormoc needs to hustle more to be able to house such modernities, but those aren't out of reach.
One evidence is the fact that the 25th Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC) was grounded in the city. The conference, as expected, was a melting pot of innovative ideas and inspiration. I was in cloud nine when I had the chance to meet key people like former Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia who shared her personal strategies on how to be resilient and how to cope up with drastic change. I'm not a fan of Garcia, but I have to admit that I was inspired by her talk and that I find her tips very relevant in my current situation. For that, I will also share to you what I've learned from her.
Quick trivia: Garcia is the first (and so far the only) female governor of Cebu since Miguel Lopez de Legaspi.
Re·sil·ience
rəˈzilyəns/. noun
the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Here's how one can be resilient according to former governor Gwen:
- Maintain a sense of optimism. Things happen for a reason and positive things can be found in negative situations.
- Pray.
- Every challenge is an opportunity to take control, but take commitment in making things better.
- Strive to find meaning and purpose in this terrible life.
- Change has always been in our lives, but what's important is how it affects and molds us.
The former governor turn deputy speaker describes a resilient man as someone who makes meaning despite hardships instead of crying in his/her room. I am knowingly someone who doesn't have a complete spirit of resilience. Whenever strong winds pass into my life, I often shy away and succumb under my blanket of comfort. It's not something to be proud of, but I do embrace my limits. I cannot be strong at all times and I do appreciate it when helping hearts offer to rescue me from a storm.
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| Magenta waterlilies under a public bridge. Why do waterlilies always grow under the bridge whenever I meet one? |
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| We (my media colleagues and I) got to visit a dainty desert cafe named Sorbeteria where we got the chance to try their Black Sesame ice cream. |
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| A cool world map on the ceiling of the inn where we stayed in. |
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| The magnificence of Sabin Beach Resort |
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| Beauty should never go unnoticed. Some flowers on the streets of Ormoc |
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| Ormoc's old municipality hall which will be soon converted into a public library by Mayor Richard Gomez. |
Just as how Ormoc rose from the destructive Haiyan, I want to be as resilient as the city. So when the strongest storm shall try to sweep every inch of me, I'll rise from the mud and continue to conquer life just as how it was meant to be.
Some people think that there's nothing good left in Ormoc and the place is no longer worth any visit. I beg to disagree. I am stronger after 45 hours of staying there.
love lots,
Tin