Below is the account of my wife Jovy during those two days that the typhoon
had separated us.
Jovy's Experience with Ondoy
My husband and I received Ube
News through our phone Friday night that a typhoon codenamed Ondoy
is going to hit Manila the following day. During that night, rain poured
in incessantly. In the morning, it was still raining. We prepared ourselves
to go to work. After our breakfast, the rain still poured in. My husband
who usually bike to work early had to wait for at least 30 minutes.
A few minutes before 9 o'clock, my husband changed clothings and decided
to just ride through the rain. As he stepped outside the gate, the road
was flooded with rainwater.
By 10 o'clock in the morning, I was still at home when I am supposed
to be already at work. The rain consistently poured in and it seemed like
the floodwater on the road is getting deeper. I contacted Marites Dizon,
in charge of our scheduling, to inform her that I might not be able to
report to work because of the weather condition. But her cellphone just
keep on ringing and nobody was picking it up. I sent her a text message.
I also called up my reliever but nobody answered too. I called up my husband
whom I assumed already arrived to work to inform him that I couldn't report
to work because of the rain and the rising water on the road. He adviced
me to inform our boss of which I did. My boss told me that he would contact
my reliever and I need not worry.
Our friend and neighbor-next-door Junjet was also trapped with the rising
water. So, he also had to stay in the house together with his one-year
old daughter Pia and sister-in-law Mai-mai who also could not report to
work. Nenet, Junjet's wife, already left to work just like my husband.
There were three of them in their house while I was alone in my house.
I didn't realize that the water on the road was already waist-deep until
water started to creep inside our house. I was totally shocked and shrieked
for help. Junjet came to rescue and poured sand in our front door to block
the water from entering the house. The blockade didn't totally stop
the water from seeping through but at least it slowed down the process.
Junjet started to get alarmed because he knew his house would be next.
The water was leaking in slowly so I had to use dust pan to fetch the
water and threw outside the house. I knew the water would just come back
but I had to delay the water from getting in so I can move things to safer
locations like the top of the tables and on lavatory. Despite all of my
effort to throw the water away, still water started to enter inside our
bedroom. I had to rush there to save our things which are just laid on
the floor. I had to transfer those things on top of our bed. I didn't
know how I was able to lift my husband's books contained in a balikbayan
box, but I just did it. I felt pain in my belly so I talked to my baby
inside my womb to hold on because Mama is rescuing things from flood.
I was alone inside the house and was doing all the heavy lifting. I was
crying not because of self-pity but because of my baby inside the womb.
I knew miscarriage could occur to me anytime because of too much tension.
As much as I would want to slow down, I simply couldn't because I have
to race with the rising water that seemed to engulfed all of our belongings.
It was already 12 noon.
After moving all of our things on top of the bed, I called up my husband
to tell him of what's happening. He promised he would go home as soon
as the flood would subside. He said Shaw Blvd. was also flooded and Meralco
Avenue was impassable due to a fallen wall of the Capitol compound. He
adviced me to shut off the main switch of the electricity. I told him
that it is already brownout in our place.
My effort of throwing the water away had costed me so much energy yet
all of these things turned out to be futile. The water level is getting
deeper. Junjet came to help me as water was already knee-deep and was
also entering his house already. By that time, he would be running to
his house and back to my house to save everything from getting soaked
with floodwater. I didn't know how he was able to manage it all but it
was my first time to see a man to act in a rapid motion racing against
time and the rising water. Junjet piled up hollow blocks inside our house
where we could possibly move things on a much higher level. I was also
able to carry four pieces of hollow blocks until I remember I am four-month
pregnant. After piling the hollow blocks, Junjet had to rush back towards
his house to see the condition there. Mai-mai was left in the other house
tending the one-year old Pia.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I was already dead-tired, thirsty, and
hungry. Water level on the road is already neck-deep and inside our house
is already waist-level. Everything else you see is water - murky and smelly.
So many things were floating around; soap box, pail, basins, and even
my husband's computer chair. Down the road, people in the neighborhood
are swimming for their lives. I overheard feral cats crying. Junjet had
to shut our gate with a sheet of plywood to prevent floating garbage from
entering our house. We also had to protect our things not to be carried
away by the sweeping current. I can only smell chaos and confusion.
I called up my husband urging him to come home no matter what so we could
stay together. I told him not to bring anything that could possibly get
wet and damaged like wrist watch, wallet, and cellphone. After I spoke
with my husband, network signal is lost. I turned off my cellphone to
conserve battery power. Right then and there, we were totally isolated
from the outside world.
5 o'clock in the afternoon was already very very dark. We were caught
off-guard and never ever had any lighting equipment for this kind of situation.
Well, at least, I got my gas lighter and Junjet got his match. Earlier,
Junjet found some candles in our house. But those are no ordinary candles.
Those candles are holy candles used during our 3-day ceremony and one
candle is my husband's baptismal candle (my husband was only Christianized
a week before our wedding). With not much option left, I finally decided
that those candles had to be sacrificed otherwise we won't be having anything
to light us up for the night.
I closed our house and moved to Junjet's house. There, the four of us;
myself, Mai-mai, Pia, and Junjet huddled on top of a double-deck bed.
The water escalated to a critical level. After five hours since I talked
to my husband, he didn't show up yet. I started to fear for my husband's
life. Since he told me he would come, he would surely fulfill it. I know
my husband. If he promise something he would do, he would really do it
no matter how difficult it is. Morbid thoughts started to be pictured
out inside my mind. What if my husband was carried away by water current
and get drowned? My husband is all guts but lack of necessary skill. He
doesn't know how to swim and surely wouldn't be able to survive a flood.
I imagined myself to be in the news a few days later - a four-month pregnant
wife who lost her husband to a tropical storm. Yes, anything is possible
and what I had in mind during that time is not remote to happen. In fact,
a similar case already happened to our family. Sixteen years ago, my elder
brother Alex was killed in an ambush leaving behind a seven-month pregnant
wife. And it was their first baby who was born without seeing his father.
I was really afraid the same thing could happen to me. I was so helpless
and I cried and cried. I fetched a rosary beads from my pocket and prayed
the rosary. I was so helpless, we were so helpless and only the mercy
of God could help us. I prayed and pray hard.
Past midnight and he didn't arrive yet. I was wondering what had become
of my husband. On the lighter side, if my husband is still alive, I was
wondering where would he stay for the night. It was still raining and
I was sure he's all wet by that time. I truly regretted having convinced
my husband to come home despite of the dangers posed by flood. At that
moment, I could only hope that he didn't risk his life wading through
the flood and the raging water current.
2 o'clock in the morning, Junjet cooked pancit canton for us to eat.
It's good that he was able to save his gas range and cylinder. At long
last, I had eaten again after 19 hours of not eating anything. Junjet
also prepared milk for me. Our neighbors in a three-storey house were
also very watchful. They would flash their lights towards us as if telling
us that if something could become terribly bad, we can transfer to their
house which is much higher than ours. I am very grateful that all of my
neighbors are very concern towards one another. Anyhow, the water level
stopped just below the second deck of the bed so we just stayed where
we were and waited for the morning.
The long wait for the morning finally arrived. It was already Sunday,
a time where we are supposed to be in the church. But no, we were there
on top of the double-deck bed trapped by the flood. Junjet cooked for
our breakfast. I turned on my cellphone to check for network signal but
it only registered zero signal. Mai-mai's phone which is subscribed to
another network registered a faint signal. The only problem with her phone
is that it already indicated a "low-batt" status. I thought
of contacting my husband through Mai-mai's phone but I was aware he's
not bringing any of his phone with him. So, I opted to send text message
to my boss instead asking if he knows my husband's whereabouts. After
sending the message, Mai-mai turned off her phone to conserve battery
power. I could only hope a positive reply from my boss.
The rain already stopped a few hours ago and the morning showed an overcast
but promising skies. The water was still but didn't subside yet. Junjet
who prepared for our food and all had to tip-toe to avoid dirty water
to splash into our food. We ate our breakfast in the same location we
were during the night - the top of the double-deck bed. The little girl
Pia was already awake and is eating with us.
While I had to worry for my husband, Junjet also had to worry for his
wife Nenet who, just like my husband, didn't arrive home at the height
of typhoon Ondoy.Junjet decided that after the breakfast he would wade
into the flood to fetch his wife and my husband who probably were stranded
in the highway. Right after our breakfast, Junjet proceded according to
his plan.
After sometime, Mai-mai turned her cellphone on. A message came through.
It was the reply from my boss telling me not to worry because my husband
is safe and stayed in the office the whole night when the flood was at
its peak. I couldn't help myself but cry. But it was already tears of
joy knowing that my husband is alive and well. After that, what I'd like
to know next is the status of Nenet.
After more than thirty minutes, Junjet came back. He couldn't make it
to the highway because of high level of water. There were ruptured drainage
too which are very dangerous. The water current is also very strong. That's
why he had to turn back.
On lunch time, Nenet arrived. She brought with her slices of roasted
pig and chicken anticipating that we must have already starved to death.
We were so happy to see her. Pia was also very happy to be reunited with
her mother.
Despite of the flood, we had a celebration. We prepared the food Nenet
brought for us while she was telling us her story. She said she was stranded
together with thousands of commuters who couldn't cross the flood. They
slept in Rosario bridge despite of the heavy downpour. Nenet was sleeping
under her umbrella. In the morning, she bought some food and went to the
site where he could take a ride going home. But instead of the usual tricycle
that would take her home, it was a boat at that time manned by four enterpreneuring
locals who were asking 50 pesos per head per ride. It was also taking
a different route as most flooded areas are still impassable. Nenet also
had to wade breast-deep of floodwater the rest of her way home. She finally
arrived home safely.
Suddenly, Mai-mai's phone rang. It was my boss calling trying to reach
me through the phone number I was using to send him text message that
morning. We talked. He said that he's in our head office and my husband
is there too. I talked to my husband too. It was a very nice feeling hearing
the voice of my husband after what we went through. I was simply happy
that he's alive and I could hear his voice. I was very much relieved.
I told him that the flood is already passable through a place called de
Ramos and Nenet was successful in coming home through that route. Since
he would be taking a boat, I told him to just leave his bike in the office
and just walk home no matter how long would it takes. I also asked him
to buy extra candles along the way.
Two hours after we spoke over the phone, my husband finally emerged.
He was covered with mud all over and soaked with oil. Apparently, he had
to wade through deep waters just to make it home. He was wearing the same
clothing he wore on that fateful Saturday. Just the same, I embraced him
very tight. I didn't mind how bad he smelled at that time. It was already
enough for me to know and to see that my husband is alive and safe.
In the evening, the water subsided. Two families shared the same room
to sleep for the night. Junjet and his wife Nenet and daughter Pia and
sister-in-law Mail-mai used the lower deck of the bed while my husband
and I occupied the top. My husband was very dirty and so smelly but I
didn't mind all of it. Yakap-yakap ko talaga siya buong gabi.
My Sunday Experience with Bagyong Ondoy
I wrote my Saturday experience with bagyong Ondoy here (http://www.bikelog.co.cc/2009/09/my-first-week-of-bike-commuting.html#bagyongOndoy).
I wrote it in the night of Saturday fueled by frustration that I couldn't
make it to my wife when she needed me most. I was already there in the
Floodway bridge but couldn't cross the flood that blocked my way to our
house. In my desperate effort to communicate with my wife, I thought of
going back to our office to where I left my phone. But when I got hold
of my phone, I couldn't contact my wife. I was terribly sorry that I felt
like I would go crazy for leaving my wife all alone in the most dangerous
situation. All my pain I put into writing.
In the morning, I left the office right away very hopeful to see my wife
and see what had happen in our house. It was no longer raining. All along,
I thought the flood is gone and I could already pedal all my way going
home. Boy, I was wrong!
When I arrived at the Rosario bridge, I could see a lot of people walking
opposite to the direction I was heading to. Most of them are soaked with
mud and oils. I sensed that something must be wrong. Not too far away,
I could see deadlock traffic ahead. What are these vehicles doing here
on a Sunday?
I squeezed myself through people walking opposite of me and through trucks
and cars not moving. The flooded area in between Manggahan intersection
and GSIS road that was flooded the day before was already dry and there
was not even a trace of flooding except for a foul odor.
But when I arrived at the foot of the Floodway bridge, I could see some
motorcycle riders resting. It looked like they are the same motorcyclists
who were fixing their spark plugs the day before during the typhoon Ondoy.
I get down from my bike and walked beside it since the traffic is not
moving at all and there were lots of people in between cars and trucks
and buses. I could feel something must be wrong.
As I was approaching the opposite end of the bridge, I recall those are
the same RRCG and G Liner buses that got stranded there during the flood. Those are
similarly cars, jeepneys, commuters' weary faces that I've seen the day
before. On the opposite lane, I could see that cars were cleared up to
give way to military trucks, GMA7's OB van, rubber boats on trailers,
one amphibian truck, ambulances, and many more. I could see rescue divers
on their uniform still soaked with mud and oil. There were police, MMDA
officers, and military on full-gear. Almost all the civilians walking
and sitting by the roadside, I'd easily noticed their haggard faces. Not
too far away, I could see that the flood the day before was still there
and did not recede yet.
I spoke with one guy on a motorcycle. He said he was right there since
yesterday. He was supposed to fetch her wife who is working in Ever Gotesco.
He already worried so much especially that her phone was already drained
of battery power. He also worried what her wife was eating at that time.
The feeling of frustration is unbearable. But I didn't lost hope. I was
asking other locals who were swimming through the flood (some as they
said, are still coming from Antipolo) if it is possible for me to cross
the water. They said that it is still dangerous and they're telling me
of a story like men infront of them lost grip of the rope that guided
them in the flooded road and were swept away by strong current and were
nowhere to be seen. Nakakatakot naman. But I knew I needed to
be strong for my wife whom I didn't know the status as of that time.
An officer on megaphone kept on announcing that people should stay away
from flood as they are even rescuing residents who are trapped in the
flood. Some people who were just like me who wanted to go home to check
their family, tried to wade through the flood but had to return because
it is still very deep. Some people who probably are good swimmers, had
to swim and used that guide rope to go to the other end which I think is
still so deep. While rescue workers didn't allow people to cross the flood,
still they couldn't do anything to keep those people away from the flood.
Every now and then, I could see people being carried away through stretchers.
Some are flood survivors from Antipolo who had walked all their way to
higher grounds and collapsed as soon they arrived to Floodway bridge.
Some are actually individuals who were trying to cross the flood in front
of us and got drowned.
I was there for like a few hours already and the sun shone very hot.
I noticed that the rescue process was very slow. Stranded cars, trucks,
and jeepneys had to be moved and backed off one by one to give way to
rubber boats being towed by military trucks. Somehow, I felt relieved
that a rescue mission is already ongoing. But I was wondering what time
would be my wife be rescued and how would we see each other when we didn't
have communication. I had with me my two phones. Much as I would want
to take photos of what's happening at that time, I didn't have the pleasure
of doing it since my thinking was all centered to my wife whom I didn't
know the status yet. I felt like crying at that time.
Another factor that slowed down the rescue process are the locals who
attempted to climb to the military amphibian truck when it was launched
to drive through the flood. Those locals are just like me, wanted to cross
the flood to see what had happened to their family on the other end. Military
personnel drove them away but there are too many of them who were already
aboard the truck. I overheard one military personnel saying, "Walang
sasakay papasok! Nagri-rescue nga ng tao papalabas eh. Walang sasakay!"
But nobody would like to get down. I believe those people are not naturally-born
stubborn but were only driven by the desire to see their family's situation
in the flood. The amphibian truck didn't move until people climbed down
from it. After the last person get off from the truck, the amphibian truck
drove through the flood right away. A blue dump truck drove through the
flood, too. I didn't know if it was part of the rescue mission. People
chased for it and climb on its bed. The driver slowed down the truck,
in effect loading a lot of people on its back. The truck then proceded
going to the direction I also supposed to go. While rescue workers are
bringing people to dry lands, more and more people are getting in to the
flooded areas.
I was almost tempted to be doing the same thing - hitch ride rescue trucks
entering our place. But I refrained myself from doing it. I still believe
that order is needed so the rescue mission could even be more speeded
up. I talked to one rescue personnel, asking how long would it take to
rescue the populace trapped in the flood, and what place were considered
to be in priority. He answered everybody would be rescued but somehow
it would take much time. Based on my own assessment, if there would be
no additional rescue equipment, and people behave so uncivilly, my wife,
if she is still alive, would be rescued the following day or even more
than that. I was very much confused of what to do at that time. Looking
around, I saw that all the people are confused-looking too. I was not
alone.
It was already 11 in the morning. I was there already for six hours not
sure of what to do so I could meet up my wife. I was already very hungry
and thirsty. I haven't had eaten anything since last night. There were
also food being sold by some street-vendors but I didn't have money in
my pocket. I saw that very few people are getting rescued every time.
The rubber boats used are very small. But I could see more boats are arriving
and there are bigger ones. A lifeboat also arrived and was unloaded from
a military truck. The lifeboat is exactly similar to a lifeboat carried
on a ship for use if the ship has to be abandoned. I think the lifeboat
that had arrived is owned by Philippine Navy.
At 12 noon, I saw MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando arrived. He was there
to oversee the situation by himself. I was hopeful that his presence could
influence the rescue procedure to be hasten up. While I stayed up there
since the early morning, I already had doubts whether my wife could be
rescued on that very day. They would be rescuing not only hundreds but
thousands of people in so many villages that were affected by the flood.
One o'clock in the afternoon, I gave up waiting. No, I didn't gave up
on my wife. It was just that I was very very hungry at that time and I
already dehydrated. I thought of visiting some friends who can feed up
my hungry stomach. I needed to stay alive for my wife. I was already very
weak I could hardly pedal my bike on my way back. The sun did no longer
shone hot at that time. Dark clouds started to show up in the sky.
On my way back, I texted my boss telling him that I wasn't able to make
it going to my wife since the road that leads there is still flooded.
He replied that my wife Jovy sent her a message in the morning asking
about me. She was using a different phone number but suddenly became unavailable
when he tried to call that number. Bigla akong nabuhayan ng loob.
I pedaled my bike as much as I could so I'd arrive to our office right
away where my boss is waiting for me.
My boss let me read the message stored in his phone. It was indeed a
message from my wife asking him about me. The only difference is that
she was using a different number instead of her own. I understood she
didn't have any network signal in her area. My boss gave me a few peso
bill for my food. I went to Tropical Hut in the corners of Shaw Blvd.
and Pioneer. I already had the reason to eat knowing my wife is alive
and safe.
At past 3 o'clock in the afternoon, my boss was able to contact the number.
It is own by Mai-mai, Junjet's sister-in-law. Finally, I was able to talked
to my wife after the typhoon and the flood separated us. We both cried.
She said she's okay and they're not getting hungry despite of the flood.
She told me that I could possibly come home already by riding a boat and
take the de Ramos route. She said that Nenet, Junjet's wife came home
through that way. She also asked me to buy some candles.
I had to leave my bike in the office since it would be cumbersome for
me to be carrying it while riding on a boat. Besides, I wouldn't want
to soaked it into the flood. It already had enough of the flood since
the day before. I walked to a convenience store to buy candles but they
already ran out of stocks. It's good that I was able to find some in a
small sari-sari store inside San Antonio Village. I decided to just walk
my way going home. Definitely, there was no public transportation available
going home because of the flood. It was drizzling but I didn't mind it
all. What is more important to me at that time is to make it home and
see my wife.
When I reached in Julia Vargas, my phone rang. I wasn't able to pick the
call on time as my phone was wrapped inside a plastic bag. It was my friend
Mae Ann in Singapore. Later she texted me asking me and my wife's situation.
I stopped under a shade of tree so I could type my reply without my phone
getting drench in the rain.
After an hour of walking, I reached the Floodway bridge. Rescue activity
was ongoing
but it seemed to me that water had already receded a bit. I asked a few
locals the way going to de Ramos. They pointed me to a street down the
bridge. Local residents installed a rope by the side of the bridge to be used by
anybody who would like to climb up to the bridge or go down to the houses
below. It means I had to rappel my way down into that street.
This is the street I had to take to as my alternate route going home.
This is being photographed on top of the bridge before I had to climb down
by the side of the bridge the mountaineer's way.
There were no boats available when I set foot under the bridge. Instead
there were pedicabs modified so the passengers would have to stand on
its seat instead of sitting down while the vehicle is in motion. Four
person would drive the pedicab by just pushing it through the flood. I
decided that instead of riding the pedicab, I would just walk and follow
the cab. After all, the flood in this street is not so deep and so many
people were just walking through the flood. The water is knee-level and
sometimes waist-level. I just follow with other people walking.
A few locals gave me the direction how to reach my place. People were so
friendly and courteous despite of the calamity. I thought I'll never get
lost as there are always locals I can ask direction every steps of the
way. So, it was not hard navigating going to my place after all.
When I reached the market in our place, the water is already very shallow.
I was amazed to see that business is usual in the market. While rescue
was ongoing in the highway and stranded locals were fidgeting to see their
loved ones trapped in the flood, people could still do business here and
manage to smile. Amazing!
The flood going to our house is still very deep I had to wade up to breast
level. I could smell gasoline in the water. Children were playing in the
flood. The water is so murky. I could feel plastic strips touched my thighs.
There were floating cockroaches and a dead dog. I was wondering how I
might be able to sanitize myself after all of these. I had to continue
walking.
After two hours of walking, I finally arrived home. I went straight to
Junjet's house and true to what my wife told me over the phone, she is
alive! We couldn't help but embrace each other. She cried so much.
I also felt like crying but held back my tears because Junjet's members
of the family and some neighbors were looking at us. Real men don't cry.
There was no more water in the house. The water at that time is only
in the road level. What's left inside the house and everything there are
brown, soft earthy matters that probably may have come down from the nearest
mountain.
Since the two families are already complete, we called up for a celebration.
Nenet's food was brought outside. It's an early dinner since there was
no electricity yet so we had to utilize the available daylight.
Nenet's food. Sliced and recooked roasted pig roasted chicken. A celebration
indeed!
In the night time, I couldn't washed off as water supply was very low.
There was no electricity to power up the water pump and neighbors were
probably using tap water to start cleaning up the flood's mess. With grimes
and dirt and oil and foul odor over me, I still was able to sleep peacefully
while my wife hugged me tightly unmindful of how I terribly smell. I could
only prayed so much thanking God that nothing had happened to me and my
wife.
Some photos related to bagyong Ondoy
The flood in Shaw Blvd., in front of our office at the height of bagyong
Ondoy.
A jeepney splashes some floodwater to a young lady in her umbrella.
Practicing panning using a mobile phone camera.
Heavy downpour caused so much flood.
The water current is very strong.
A bike commuter walking in the flood.
Calamity victims and kibitzers at the Floodway bridge.
Flood victims confused where to go.
Military trucks on stand by.
The Monday Clean Up
As soon as we wake up in the morning, we decided not to report to work.
There was still water in the street. The area didn't have any network
signal yet. My wife and I decided that we would just start cleaning up
while we cannot report to work yet. We went to our house which is just
adjacent from Junjet's house where we slept for the night. I found my
computer chair outside the house full of mud and dirt. It was carried
away by the water current during the Saturday flood. See the photo below.
In the photo below, that's the sandbags used supposedly to block the
water from entering the house. The red line in the photo indicated the
depth of water which is up to waist level that enter the house.
Whitey, my wife's
king size bed, is covered with mud and soil. Very pitiful. See the
photo below.
In the photo below, my wife is seen cleaning up Whitey (the bed). When
we started our clean up drive, the first part in the house we cleaned
is the toilet so we may be able to use it when needed be.
In the afternoon, network signal was already restored. The first text
message that I received came from Rob
in Canada. It was actually a delayed message since the message was sent
to me during the time my phone didn't have any signal yet. After that,
more messages were coming in. My phone was flooded with hundreds of messages
- all from friends who worried so much about me and my wife. A few are
flood victims too but are already safe and sound. It was glad to hear
that nobody in my circle of friends is being claimed by the flood.
In the night time, the neighborhood threw away things that were destroyed
by the flood. A huge mound of garbage was formed by the corner. Dead animals
were also being thrown there. See the photo below.
The following day, Tuesday, as I bike to work (since I really need to
report to work), I could see garbage everywhere, not to mention so many
cars parked beside the road that were obviously damaged by the flood as
well. See two photos below.
Super Typhoon Pepeng
Just as we are still in the state of calamity after the flood brought
by bagyong Ondoy had devastated our house and properties, another typhoon
is being reported to hit the country. It's codenamed Pepeng
and a super-typhoon.
My wife and I created our own version of preemptive evacuation just in
case our area will be flooded again. Jovy's elder cousin invited us to
stay in their house in Valenzuela as soon as typhoon Pepeng would hit
the country. Valenzuela is also a flood-prone city but the house of Jovy's
elder cousin is located in an elevated area that while the neighboord
is submerged in water, they still could keep their compound dry.
On Friday night, October 2, my wife and I had to go to Valenzuela after
work. She had to take a commuter bus going there while I
ride my bike to go to Valenzuela from my workplace in Shaw Blvd. -
Pasig, even when it's already raining (another story). During that night,
bagyong Pepeng struck Northern Luzon as a super-typhoon. It's strength
can also be felt in Metro Manila that a storm signal number 1 was being
raised. We felt safe in the house we were in. We watched the news live
related to typhoon broadcasted in the television.
On Saturday, my wife and I did no longer report to work of which our
boss okayed. Sunday was a little bit okay even when it was still raining
in the morning. Monday morning, I had to ride again from Valenzuela to
my workplace in Shaw Blvd. - Pasig.
I already go home to our house in
Floodway while my wife still goes to Valenzuela as of this writing. The
reason I had to go home is so that I can sort out things. Our house is
stil in a mess after more than a week of the Ondoy misadventure.
Recovered clothings
My wife and I were able to salvaged a few clothings out of bagyong Ondoy. We hanged it up
to dry so we could wash it later. But until another typhoon came - bagyong
Pepeng, we were not able to put these clothes to laundry yet. We just
don't have time since my wife and I already reported to work. We couldn't
wash it in the evening as water supply in our area is being shut off by nine
o'clock. In the morning, we would be very busy preparing ourselves to
work.
As of this writing, half of these clothes were still hanging for laundry.
Half of it, I already washed yesterday morning.
Our electric fan and my laptop's cooling pad also worked when tested.
