The word “resiliency”, second only to the term”recession” is perhaps the most used (and abused?) word that we use in writing business stories. I’m guilty of that. Whenever I write a story quoting officials declaring – for the thousandth time – that the Philippine economy is “resilient” that it can continue the grow despite the “global recession” thanks to remittances (oh yeah, I forgot, I also use the word “remittance” – a lot! I, after all, live in a country where going abroad to earn a living is a way of life, ) But it was in my recent vist (and being stranded) in Baguio that I actually learned what “resiliency” means.

I was thinking about “resiliency” while having drinks with some journo-friends in Rumors – that famed watering hole in session road which Lisa compares to Cheers – the bar where everyone knows your name. That was the day after Parma slammed into northern Luzon, leaving Baguio city temporartily isolated as the rains caused landslides (damaging the main roads like Marcos Highway, and Nagulian that connect this mountain city resort to Manila). The electricity, which was cut off the day before, was restored (so no drinking in the dark for us). But a lot of people died while others are living in evacuation centers, displaced by the landslides. What surprtised me, however, was that Rumors, was jampacked, people were chatting and drinking as if nothing happened. I was like thinking-what are these people doing? Partying amid misery? But as my journo friends explained to me – this is not because the Baguio residents are so callous or just don’t care whatever happened tp the victims. It’s more because in many ways, Baguio city residents are true-blue survivors. Life goes on after a major disaster and residents know to stay ahead despite such setback.

Parma, after all, is not the first calamity to befall the city. The 1990 killer earthquake killed thousands and isolated the city for months. The city recovered in the end, and its residents managed to at least rebuild their lives and homes destroyed by the earthquake. The city, meanwhile, continues to draw domestic and international tourists, enamored by its cool weather and bohemian vibe.

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It’s also important to realize that Parma didn’t just affect Baguio. Communities in the nearby towns of Benguet and other provinces in northern Luzo lost their homes, property, families and livelihood.. So if you want to help, here are some organizations that you may vwish to contact: If you are in Baguio city, you mat head to Cafe By The Ruins at Chuntug st, near the city hall. The cafe accepts donations in cash and kind (blankets, rice, beans and vegetables). The cafe has a soup kitchen which prepares food for evacuees. You may get intouch through

http://cafebytheruins.multiply.com

2. You may also go to the Cordillera Peoples Alliance

55 Ferguson Road Baguio City 2600 Philippines [email protected] www.cpaphils.org Tel. No. 63-74-304-4239 Fax No. 63-74-443-7159

3. You can donate via paypal at http://www.redcross.org.ph/