Jadine left for Manila the other day, so the job of putting up the Reyes Haircutters tarpaulins were left to our friend jenny and i. We've been slaving away two nights in a row now. Like thieves in the night, we prowl around the city looking for the perfect spot to put up our precious tarpaulins. Tarpaulins are precious commodity in this city, they get stolen to be made into temporary housing or mat by the city's vagrants, or sold to enable them to buy a bottle of rugbi (to escape hunger) or simply become victims of vandalism.
Vandalism is such a problem here in Tacloban. Newly painted walls are written upon, installed chairs in the park are stolen, statues made of concrete smashed, cushioned chairs in the cinema slashed, even telephone wires are now stolen for the copper...
If this doesn't stop soon, improving Tacloban will become such a burden that nobody will even bother, and it is such a shame because if you look past the vandal, the dirt, the ugly politics it is actually a beautiful city. Bay on one side, mountain on the other. Few minutes from the beach, half an hour from nature treks/site(s). Boutiques, coffee shops and quaint restos abound...
I suppose it is the result of a bigger problem, that of poverty, lack of education and discipline...
But am still hopeful that Tacloban will be able to pull its act together and reach its full potential, i just hope it happens in my lifetime, i would really love to see that...
his name is caffeine fix on dreary mornings 