Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Dear Joe America, is this you?

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Please let us know how we can help. I’m sure there are thousands of readers who would want to pitch in, in Cyber Plaza Miranda. Right guys?

The last time Joe posted anything was just before Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, saying that the Philippines was “The Most Dangerous Land: Exhibit A.”

He is right of course.

He is also right, when in previous postings, he rhapsodized over the beauty of the island in central Philippines where he lives.

Since Friday before the storm hit, Joe has not posted anything else on his blog, joam.com and we at Cyber Plaza Miranda are understandably worried.

Then @Kamison posted this saying:

 Sa mga taga-hanga ni Joe America (CPM commentator at bloggist), eto kaya siya?

Biliran o Abuyog, Leyte, kanu ganuon pa man din.

 VIDEO | American shelters 100 neighbors in Leyte home at height of ‘Yolanda’

By: Edison Reyes, News5
November 16, 2013 8:20 AM

A kind-hearted American living in the town of Abuyog in Leyte province didn’t think twice in offering his home as refuge to about 100 of his neighbors at the height of super typhoon Yolanda (international code name: Haiyan).

James Ferguson relates how he sheltered and took care of his neighbors from the strongest storm in the world this year.

You can watch the video by clicking on this link.

Do tell us if you’re OK and what we can do to help.

 

Comments

      • @Joe

        Can’t blame those who felt creepy after reading “on the other side”. It’s almost close enough to that term “sa kabilang buhay” in Filipino lingo. After the disaster, glad that you’re safe and somehow managing to be in touch. Hoping that power gets restored and fully functional there in Biliran and in other places real soon.

      • Learn the Filipino sideswalk patois for paranoid…..it is: prah-ning! That can only mean that we all care for a fellow CPMer, Joe.

  2. James Ferguson said that he is not Joe America. In reply he told me:

    “Rene, I am an American but not Joe America. I did manage to save a lot of people when Yoland hit. Afterward I was interviewed by the media including correspondants from the United Nations. Our home was completely destroyed and we lost all of our possessions. Thousands died but we somehow survived. God bless.”

  4. According to NDRRMC four (4) people died in the province of Biliran due to Yolanda. As of 2010 census there are 161,760 persons comprising its population. Statistically, the chance that JoeAm is one of the fatalities of Yolanda is about .000025. That JoeAm is one of the four is absurd, unthinkable and beyond comprehension.

    • Other scenarios are possible, not only the worst one with 0.0025% possibility. JoeAm is unable to travel, physically isolated, due to a medical condition of himself or someone in his family, not enough cash and the ATM/bank is down. JoeAm is too busy with more important relieve work. JoeAm is still in “shock” and blogging feels irrelevant. JoeAm wants to stick to his word and wait until electricity is back…

      Miss his way to initiate a positive discussion: “What can we do? How does it work, what can we learn, what can we improve?” I’m saturated with the negative comments around Yolanda.

  5. Please, pakihanap na si JoAm. One week na, may kuryente na ang ibang parti ng leyte.
    Ma’m Raissa, pakisuyo, marami ka kilala broadcasters at journalist, baka mapakiusapan mo, punta sila biliran, tingnan ang sitwasyon doon, hanapin si JoAm.
    I don’t feel good with his,JoAm, statement “see you on the other side”. 5 days ko na syang iniisip, nasaan ba sya?
    Si neo din, di ko na nababasa. Alam nyo rin ba kung nasan sya?

    • i think Biliran has had their comms back since Nov. 15th as I have a few FB friends who are from that place and they manage to get online.

  7. Joe is OK – his problem is communication/electricity.

    History repeats itself – 115 years later

    Circa 1897 – TYPHOON AND TIDAL WAVE IN LEYTE, 7000 LIVES LOST

    From an Australian Broadsheet dated January 12, 1898, it was reported that a strong typhoon devastated and caused major destruction in lives and properties in Leyte.

    “The typhoon that first struck a place called the Bay of Santa Paula was reportedly responsible for the onslaught in Leyte.

    “The typhoon reached Leyte on October 12, 1897 and striking Tacloban, the capital, with terrific force, reduced it to ruins in less than half an hour. The bodies of 120 europeans have been recovered from the fallen buildings, Four thousand natives were buried in the ruins, the report said”

    “A town called Hermin was swept away by flood, rendering 5000 inhabitants missing. A small station called Weera, near Loog, was also reported gone. Only three houses were reported to be left standing in Loog itself.”

    “Thousands of natives are roaming about seeking food and medical attendance. In many cases, the corpses were mutilated as though they had fallen in battle, and the expression of their faces were most agonizing.”