It's been gloomy the whole day before bagyong Tino arrived in Cebu.
Monday- the day before the typhoon hit, I managed to work in office since our team was required to be present in the office for some prior commitment. By then, everyone was already vigilant and being updated with weather news forecast because we knew at anytime the typhoon would hit. We, Cebuanos, already learned our lesson during typhoon Odette (we got no electricity for almost a month and spent Christmas in our dimmed homes). So to prevent this from happening, we prepared our power banks, flash lights, and some event went to the grocery last minute to buy food essentials.
But still, we really can't prepare hundred percent from the typhoon. What about those homeless people who didn't have shelter to hide when typhoon hits? Or those families that live on slumpy areas or payag which doesn't have strong walls and roofs for a typhoon? Or the stray animals? These people are truly the ones that needs help from the government.
And it has began. The typhoon truly did enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility around the dawn of Tuesday to early morning. While our area wasn't greatly affected, we lost electricity and water supply the whole day. Internet connection was limited. Thankfully, work was suspended. There were big establishments offering outlets for charging too. I really thought the power outage would last us another month.
My siblings and I stayed outside our house since the insides was too dark. After checking in with my family and friends, I managed to grab some books to read to destruct myself from the current moment. During the few times I checked on social media, i was in shock that some barangays and nearby cities were pooled with flood, going as high as the second floor. I even saw images of floating cars and families hiding in their roofs because that's the only place the flood didn't reached yet.
(C) Proud Bisaya Facebook page
(C) Proud Bisaya Facebook page
(C) Sun Star Facebook page
And then I remembered those corrupt officials who stole trillions of pesos supposedly for the flood control projects. I'm not really politically inclined and I only knew the obvious news, but this issue was too much to be ignored. I cannot fathom how these public officials and private individuals do such a cruel thing. The declining economy of the Philippines is one thing, but what concerns me the more is the hundred Cebuanos who died as a result of the typhoon. I sincerely hope corruption will stop in this country.
After typhoon Tino, there is yet another super typhoon to hit in Luzon. Hoping for the safety of everyone.
That's it for today's blog. See you in my next one!
Sending some love and light
With love, Jane