Andam

Mag-andam

Torrential rains are raging all over the city; and that’s the local government’s message to the public. What does it even mean?

If you think, we can’t google that, think again. I got this from Wiksyunaryo.

Andam (simpleng kapanahunan andám, presenteng kapanahunan nag-aandám, nag-aging kapanahunan nag-andám). panhiro. pagpriparar sa paabuton; pag-abang.

Now, I’m sure that I’m understanding the word correctly. It turns out that “andam” means to prepare for something that would come.

The tell us to do this when torrential rains are raging all over the city and floodwater is rising. Traffic is becoming heavy, especially on the major downtown roads. Taking public transport is becoming difficult. Heavy rains raged on through midday, during which employees and school children would go out to take their lunch. They really have to go out to eat. To address that basic biological need, they would have to go through gates, out the streets with considerable flood water. That means they would have to dip those shoe and sock covered feet on flood water while holding tight on umbrellas on which prosperous precipitation pummel and pound from above. After lunch, they would again splash through to get back to class or work. Of course, there could be alternatives, they could have their food delivered by someone who would brave the stormy weather; or maybe they could fast the lunch altogether. Later, we would have to struggle through our watery way home. Why is it that jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs are harder to come by on days with heavy rains? It would be less inconvenient without the rain, because we could walk short distances. But, some of them seem to be in hiding during downpours. Lest we forget, there has been a spike of influenza-like cases recently. It would not be wise to test your body’s immunity and resistance under the rains.

There are two major elements in the definition of “andam”: “prepare for” and “something to come”. In the given context, that “something to come” is the typhoon. Tino’s coming. Camarines Sur would not be among the direct hit. But despite that, we’re still experiencing these torrents. We know the deal with these tropical cyclones. Although there’s a predicted track, directions and movements could change. For all we know, the typhoon could turn north closer to us.

Now, let’s go to the major element which is “prepare”. It’s an active verb. When you prepare, you actually do something. It’s not like the verbs, “expect”, “stay” or watch” which are passive. When you prepare, you actually do something to prepare for that something that will come, which in this case is a typhoon, or at least, heavy rains which may cause floods, damage to structure, getting stranded or other unfortunate incidents. This is “andam”. You do something to protect yourselves and presumably your family from some impending danger.

This is the message of the local government amid the anxiety and inconvenience of heavy rains that are already causing floods, difficulty in taking public transport, may cause influenza and other possible dangers.

Are the source and messenger of that message of “andam” actually aware of what that means? In the middle of the downpour, they tell the public to prepare. Prepare for what? I presume they’re telling the people to prepare for what the torrents may bring. How do we do that? Again, I would presume, we prepare by ensuring we have enough food and water at home, basic medicine, batteries for flashlights or candles and matches in case the power goes out. I presume, that would include boarding up windows and roofs through which water may leak. That may include keeping the kids indoors for their safety. I positively believe that those are the preparations we do when heavy rains come. That’s what “andam” is.

Now, how do the people do that when they’re still at work because business proceeds as usual, and classes continue as in regular days? How do they expect people to prepare? When do they expect people to start preparing? Do they expect them to start preparing after 5 pm when they clock out from work that is insensitive of atmospheric conditions?

It’s a message that does not make any sense. It is a futile and empty call. It’s like telling a caged dog to run. What’s the point? What’s the point of releasing hollow communications?

What baffles the mind even more is that multiple neighboring local governments have suspended work and classes early in the morning, due to the very obvious heavy rains. Yet one local government stands strong in its conviction that we shall continue with so-called public service, rain or shine; and let the employees and school children scramble for a safe way to go home late in the afternoon under heavy rains above flood water, while telling them all day to prepare.

1 Corinthians 14:8: For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?