Stormed!

Yesterday, more than half of Luzon was battered by the typhoon Milenyo. It came with wind speed up to 160 kph. The typhoon did not weaken even after it hit land three times.

I did not know that signal #3 had been raised over Metro Manila early yesterday morning. I just knew that classes were suspended at all levels and that the number coding was suspended. So, I went on my merry way and reported to work. Power was fluctuating around 9am, and then it finally went out about 11am. By 11:30, all of us in the office were watching open-mouthed as the typhoon wreak its havoc. We saw Mother Nature's fury.

Tree branches broke and hanged precariously tangled with the telephone and electric wires. Sheets of roofing would occasionally be seen flying in the distance. The rain was not coming down in straight line, rather, raindrops were going in all directions. If you attempted crossing the street, you'd find yourself "whipped" by the rain and the wind; your umbrella would be totally useless after opening.

We waited out the worst part of the storm. When the wind had slowed, and the rain let upped, I decided to brave the tail end of the storm and go home before the roads are totally obstructed with fallen trees, electric posts, flood, and billboards.

The trip home was like going through an obstacle course; there were several fallen trees, some blocking half of the road, some totally blocking the road. There were flooded areas. Signages of establishments were bent and broken, posing like Pilita Corrales. The most horrifying scene I saw was seeing a car with the roof caved in, the guilty billboard still lying on top of it. I know, I know, I really should get that camera! Our neighbors were not spared, one had its roof blown away at the height of the typhoon, leaving their furnitures and other stuff drenched in rain.

Anyway, most if not whole of Luzon was plunged into darkness. Per news report, 18 power line towers were toppled over, and perhaps half of them will be useless. Today, we were lucky to have power restored at the condo. I heard that only 30% of Metro Manila have power again as of tonight.