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
Hi Tin! Your post was so emotional and I'm really happy that you recommended this place as the one, which is still worth to visit, no matter of the cataclysm, which encoutered that city. What's more, I think that each of us, have some moments in live, when we feel like we have to resilent, so this city gave you life lesson, which I'm sure that you will never forget, Tin.
ReplyDeletehttp://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/
Hello my dear! thank you for your lovely thoughts, as always. You do inspire me a lot as well my dear :)
DeleteI loved reading your story! That's why I always like visiting your blog. You bring emotion to your posts and plus your pictures are always beautiful! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://free-colors.blogspot.pt/
Thank you very much dear! :) Your words mean so much to me!
DeleteOrmoc sounds like the name of a computer an evil alien might have aboard his UFO. "Ormoc, calculate the best way to conquer Earth! bwhahahaha!! So imagine my relief when it was instead a tough and lovely town in your neck of the woods (whew!) I adore stories like this, people and places that choose to triumph over devestation. It is especially helpful to remember these in our own tough times. I do not think anyone can stay unaffected and strong at all times, comfort is provided us for a reason. But strength in numbers helps one pcik up the burden when it becomes to heavy for another. Wonderful story! Lots of love -- Sham
ReplyDeleteAll Things Bright and Lovely
Aliens? OMG Shamu! hahahha never imagined that I'd hear that from you. lol
DeleteAnyway, thank you very much for your inspiring words :)
What an inspiring post! Now I want to visit Ormoc too. I'm sorry to hear about the tragedy (natural catastrofies can be so devasteting) but I'm happy to hear that the city has come a long way since that happened.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, I felt very inspired by governor Gwen words. Resilience in face of life is important...we must never give up hop! We must always actively work on solving our problems...For me a resiliant person is somebody who is able to see good in every situation and act with courage.
Thank you for sharing this...lovely pics and text!
You are very much welcome dear :) thank you for sharing with me your lovely thoughts as well <3
DeleteOh very interesting place darling
ReplyDeleteThanks for share
xx
I want invite you to my Velvet Ink Giveaway!
You are much welcome my dear! :)
DeleteI enjoyed reading it, lovely photos, what a beautiful place it is.
ReplyDeletexox
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
thank you my dear! I'm glad that you loved reading it :)
DeleteHello Tin! Hope everything is going right! First of all thanks for every little comment you leave on my blog, your words really motivate me :D
ReplyDeleteI always love travel posts, actually TRAVEL is one of my favorite activities to do *wish I could more money to go everywhere haha* sometimes it is not possible but I have ton of places from Asia on my bucket list! Didn't know about Ormoc but thanks to you now I have one more place to go on my list ;) Your photos really take me there and you really have talent to capture the beauty around you! Love all the nature pictures and of course that map *____*
All the best, Tin!
Pablo
FungiExpress
You are welcome Pablo! thank you for your wonderful words as well :)
DeleteI hope you can visit my country someday :D hehehhe would love to meet you someday!
Have a lovely evening, Tin :)
ReplyDeletehttp://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/
Thanks dear! you too! <3
DeleteThanks for blogging about the place, tin. Never been to Ormoc but to Palo lang to visit a college friend and her family back in 1997 before we migrated here.
ReplyDeleteoh wow, that's quite long na Ma'am...hmm maybe someday you'll find time to visit the place again :)
DeleteThat is just how strong PH is. It seems you really had good times in Ormoc. Havent been there but, always in the list of the places i want to visit. :D
ReplyDeletehttp://myxilog.blogspot.com/
I did have a wonderful time in Ormoc Lady! thanks a lot for dropping by a comment on my blog. Hope you'll get to visit Ormoc soon and experience its wonders :)
Deletethank you for your comment dear:)....Too bad that Murakami didn't win the award...well, maybe next year:)
ReplyDeleteyou're always welcome my dear!
DeleteI loved reading about Ormoc.Great post dear
ReplyDeletelovely pictures
Hope you're having lovely and relaxing evening, my dear Tin :)
ReplyDeletehttp://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/
Thanks my dear! :)
DeleteThis was a great post, Tin! I love the way you weave your stories together in your blog posts. Resilient you shall be! <3
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kyroandstyle.com
Thanks Kylie! :)
Deletethanks dear!
ReplyDelete