Rough Groove

Typhoon Yoyong, 3 December

Last night, we walked home amid the strong winds and driving rain as transport became scarce and taxis charging exorbitant rates, took advantage of the situation. But everything was still normal. I still managed to buy some groceries at the Shopwise branch near our place. During the night, the winds were howling outside.

This morning, skies remain cloudy and a slight drizzle in Makati but relative calm enveloped Metro Manila and the lower portions of the country. Yoyong, which had maximum winds of 185 kph, made its exit to the South China Sea but strong winds still prevalent in Northern Luzon.

I checked INQ7 for breaking news and:

- official toll as of 0900H, 7 dead 8 injured

- about 3000 families have been evacuated to safer grounds from the provinces of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna and Batangas

- French telecom firm Vodafon through Telecoms sans Frontier offered free use of its satellites to improve communications in areas ravaged by typhoon

- Japanese government through JICA donated power generators, water purifiers and other relief items

- US government provided $100,000 to the Philippine National Red Cross for purchase of relief items

- GMA, a local television station accepting donations for the typhoon victims

Typhoon Yoyong, 2 December

Mid afternoon and outside, its already like 5 PM. The sky is dark, the weather is wet yet cool. No strong winds though. Typhoon Yoyong (international code name Nanmadol) is continuing its journey from Bicol and Quezon early today and is on its way to Aurora in northeastern Luzon. Already, there is one confirmed dead in Catanduanes having been electrocuted by felled electric posts near the provincial capitol. It has disrupted early rescue efforts from Monday’s tempest which left around 500 people dead and 200 missing in the wake of mudslides and floods. And now this. How many more countless lives will be lost? Structures and homes demolished, entombed by landslides?

1700H Outside Ayala Ave., the wind is starting to make its presence felt along with a drizzle.

But typhoons have always been a fact of life for this country. Come rainy season and storms from the Pacific starts to descend in these islands. It starts to enter the northern parts of the Philippines. As the year gradually closes, entry will be at the lower parts and is such that by November/December, the Visayas is usually across its path and exits Northern Palawan. But there are flukes. Just like this one. In recent years, though, I have observed that even in the months of January/February, and even once in April, storms occur whereas before it does not. Screwed up weather system?

When we were still in elementary and high school, typhoons were greeted with glee. Days of suspended classes, cool days and nights always welcome. But with it are power blackouts caused by cut power lines. News of much havoc were always eye openers: a giant mango tree just beside our house before, that for years have provided countless fruits succumbed to typhoon Nitang’s fury back in 1984. Or the rooftop of a public school in Pardo which we pass by everyday to school landed on another property during typhoon Ruping. TV and newspapers abound with photos of further wreaks: submerged boats, lost crops, homes washed away to sea by rampaging rivers. Or worst, bloated bodies as what happened way back in ’84 wherein the bridge over Mananga river collapsed and with it several people. As one witness recounted after the storm, bodies were gathered and heads looked like a pile of coconuts.

1800H I’m still at the office nursing a headache. Outside rain and wind hitting the glass windows. It is wet and windy. It is dark. It is cold.

Typhoon Yoyong

Wednesday and the skies above Makati is quite cloudy. No sunshine but its not that gloomy. Slight drizzle from time to time. The air is cool. Typhoon Yoyong will land tomorrow.

4 Typhoons in 2 weeks

In two weeks time, 3 typhoons have already passed the country wreaking havoc to structures, agricultural lands, roads, life and limb. First there was typhoon Unding followed by Violeta. Now, there’s typhoon Winnie and forecast to pass over Central and North Luzon this Thursday is typhoon Yoyong that might pack winds of around 120 kph. As usual, portions of Metro Manila’s streets and highways will be inundated. The usual tales of casualties, rivers breaching the banks and families vacated to higher ground fill the airwaves and video photages of these happenings are fed hourly. Fervent pleas for donations, from food stuffs to cash to volunteers are raised. But sometimes its ironic to think that while these storms are passing, lower portions of the country are already experiencing the recurring el nino weather phenomenon. Stretches of land start to become parched and rain, while it still occurs from time to time, gradually lessens in intensity and volume. What’s happening to our weather systems? It sure is starting to get really screwed up.

Casa Verde Baby back ribs

For tender, to-die for baby back ribs in Cebu, Casa Verde near Velez General Hospital is the place to go. Its cheap at P98.00 including rice too.