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Poetry by Rowan Evans

Tag: disaster relief

  • Standing with the Philippines After Typhoon Uwan

    Rowan Evans

    Across the Storm, My Heart Still Beats with the Philippines

    Calm ocean at dawn showing light after the storm.
    Hope rises again — across the storm, across the sea.

    Over the past week, my heart has carried the weight of storms.
    First, Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) swept through the central islands,
    and before the earth could breathe,
    Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong) roared across nearly the entire country—
    winds and rains so vast, they seemed to swallow the sky.

    Even from across an ocean, I have felt it—the ache, the worry,
    the whispered prayers that travel through time zones.
    I have friends there, people I hold close to my heart,
    and through them, I have come to love not just individuals,
    but the spirit of the Filipino people:
    resilient, compassionate, endlessly giving,
    even when there is little left to give.

    As the news unfolded, I did what I could from here:
    prayed to whatever higher powers might hear me,
    lit candles, whispered the names of those I love,
    sent energy into the dark,
    and asked others to do the same.

    It is never enough, I know.
    But love—even distant love—is still a kind of offering.
    And I hope that love can reach you,
    even across oceans and storm clouds.

    If you feel moved to help, consider lending your compassion to relief efforts—
    whether through a donation, spreading awareness,
    or sending your own prayers into the night. Every act ripples outward.

    Here are organizations providing emergency relief and long-term support:

    Philippine Red Cross – Emergency aid, medical relief, and disaster response.

    GlobalGiving – Immediate supplies and funds for recovery projects.

    Caritas Manila – Coordinates aid for affected families and communities.

    Oxfam Pilipinas – Supports marginalized communities and climate resilience.

    World Vision Philippines – Offers food, shelter, and protection for children.

    Save the Children Philippines – Focused on education and child safety during disasters.

    I also encourage those outside the country to seek local, community-led donation drives and mutual aid networks within the Philippines—people helping people, neighbors helping neighbors. Their voices, their needs, must always be centered.

    A Prayer for the Islands I Love
    Poetry by Rowan Evans

    May the waters still,
    and recede.
    May roofs rise again,
    and laughter return to the doorways.
    May every whispered prayer
    become a hand reaching out.

    For every island, every home,
    every heart that still trembles—
    know that you are not alone.
    Even across oceans,
    my love remains with you.

    May my friends, and the families I carry in my heart,
    find safety, courage, and hope.
    May the warmth, pride, and spirit
    of a people I have come to love so deeply
    guide them through the night.

    The sea cannot drown
    what is built on hope.
    And the light,
    the light always returns
    to the Philippines.

    With love, solidarity, and prayers,
    Rowan Evans

  • Philippines Earthquake Relief: Standing in Solidarity from Afar

    Rowan Evans

    Across the Distance, My Heart Remains with the Philippines.

    A picture of the Philippines flag at half-mast.
    Philippine flag at half-mast – honoring those affected by recent disasters and standing in solidarity from afar.

    Through connections, friendships, and the lives of people who have touched mine, the Philippines has grown to mean so much to me—the people, the culture, the language. Each interaction has left a mark, each conversation a lesson, and every word of Tagalog I learn feels like a thread linking me closer to a place that has shaped my heart in ways I cannot fully explain.

    Hearing about the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck central regions, coming just days after the devastating storm, hits me hard. The grief, loss, and upheaval families and communities are enduring—it’s impossible not to feel it, even from across an ocean. The overlap of these tragedies makes it feel heavier, like the weight of two storms upon the same shoulders.

    If you feel moved to help, here are reputable organizations providing emergency relief and support:

    Philippine Red Cross – Emergency aid, medical relief, and recovery support across the country.

    GlobalGiving – Provides emergency supplies and long-term recovery assistance.

    Caritas Manila – Coordinates disaster response and long-term recovery efforts.

    Oxfam Pilipinas – Supports marginalized communities and climate resilience programs.

    World Vision Philippines – Provides food, shelter, and child protection during emergencies.

    Save the Children Philippines – Ensures children’s education, health, and protection in disaster-affected areas.

    Even from an ocean away, I feel the weight of what has happened. My thoughts, prayers, and care go out to the people affected. I hope that in the midst of grief, hands find hands, hearts hold fast, and the sun rises again over the islands I love.

    Across the Water

    I feel your grief in every wave,
    Your sorrow carried through the night.
    Hands unseen reach to the brave,
    And hearts across the sea unite.

    Even in the rubble and rain,
    Even when the world feels torn,
    Love threads through the fear and pain,
    A spark that will not be forlorn.