Cebu never expected a super typhoon like Typhoon Odette (Rai), which hit our shores Thursday evening. Landfall was somewhere in Carcar and Sibonga (Southern Cebu) at around 9 PM, and what ensued was an hour-long struggle with winds up to 230 kph. It was a category 5 tropical storm, the highest level.
Water and electricity were already out by 7 PM. And we huddled on the ground floor of the house to pass the onslaught of the terrible winds. At the peak of the storm, it sounded like there was a washing machine dryer that has gone amok outside.
It was shortly before midnight when things started to calm down. The worst was over. Or so it seemed.
Morning came and we were greeted by the aftermath of Odette's wrath.
I went to Ayala to buy more supplies like candles and batteries, and the walk there was like something out of a movie. Only this time, it's for real. There are fallen trees and other debris everywhere.
The post got broken and leaned on Julie's. No hot bread for the meantime.
The scene at Cabantan St. on Friday afternoon. Many people milling about. Some are buying supplies while others are gathering debris and garbage to be placed at the sidewalk.
Some vehicles, such as this taxi, have even been damaged by the storm. And coconut trees were not spared either.
Many signages have been blown away or toppled down like this pawnshop near Cabantan Street. It's glass window is even broken. Good thing, it didn't entirely disintegrate.
And 3D panels that were once building facades are just pieces of styrofoam on the ground now. It also revealed the real strength and integrity of their construction. Hopefully, they'll use more durable materials next time.
And because there is no electricity and water in most of the city, except for hotels, condos, and other establishments with generators, it means a greater need for cash. The groceries don't accept debit and credit cards at the moment. So the lines at ATMs are long and winding. It took us two hours to get money yesterday. Also, there's no 24/7 banking at ATMs at the moment. Worse, many machines are offline.
At Ayala, there are charging stations for free at the terminal and the parking lot. You can also charge for a small fee at 711.
Someone was still creative enough to weave pusû from these fallen coconut fronds. Probably got bored while queueing at the ATM.
Today, I went to the parking lot of Grand Con to fetch water with my mother. The line is shorter at this time because it was high noon. It was so hot and humid.
Good thing, it was orderly despite the line. And there was Internet signal.
It could be weeks with this scene on a daily basis. But we're hoping that basic services like water and electricity would be back soon, especially water for cooking, drinking, and washing.
On the third day after Typhoon Odette, trash continue to mount on the sidewalk, adding to the traffic. I wonder when the Department of Public Sanitation would start collecting these. The stench is getting stronger too.
On my way to the spot where I encoded this article, I saw young man trying to catch this bird. It fleeted about, as if to play with him, but it didn't seem to want to be caught. And that's when a Eureka moment hit me:
We can look at this typhoon as a crisis, which it is obviously, and be sad and worried and angry. OR we can choose to see it from the bird's perspective: it's freedom. Its cage has been broken, and it can start again. I choose to be like the bird.
Just as the trees' branches may have been broken, but they are often only pruned as long as they are not uprooted.
Odette may have been the strongest typhoon to hit Cebu, but the spirit of the Cebuano is stronger. Bangon, Sugbo! 🙏❤💪
You may read more about me and my interests in my first article: Get to Know April: A Self-Intro Blog
Feel free to follow me to read more about my adventures and creative writing endeavors.
