The Unwanted Visit of Frank

Tsk.One week after the typhoon, you can still feel the wrath of Frank (internationally known as Fengshen). Though the effect here in Naga was not as tremendous as that in Ilo-Ilo, Romblon, and other places in the country, you can still see through the news how our country was greatly affected by the typhoon.

To top it all is the MV Princess of the Stars Tragedy. It was really sad. More than 700 people are missing and their lives are uncertain. Tsk tsk. It was like a scene in a suspense movie, more like Poseidon and Titanic. I cant imagine how worse their family feels. And what makes the story sadder is that everyone was pointing out to each other, nobody wants to be blamed. Some says its the Liner's fault, some would point to the Coastguards and some blames it to the PAGASA. But at a time like this, who should the family turn to? I mean, I think its pointless if we will continue pointing at each other. Maybe what we should to do is to help each other instead, to somehow address this tragedy. I salute those organizations who are trying to help the families feel better and do search and rescue operations and ensure quicker actions. Well, let's face it, I don't think most of the victims are alive, like what everybody is hoping, because its already a week after the tragedy. However, the lives of the victims should not just be forgotten, at least they should be given a dignified burial and that their families will be given aid and be debriefed. I suppose the government should do something like that of the 71 Dreams Foundation during the ULTRA Stampede to somehow help the families of the victims. Oh well, until now, the authorities, with the help of the US government are continuing their search and rescue while many of the bodies are retrieved here in the coasts of Bikol. I just hope that everyone will move on in time and forget about this sad story.


L:The wreck of MV Princess of the Stars, R:The names and pictures of the missing victims
Number two was the first hand experience of my uncle with the wrath of Frank. As I had said on my earlier posts, I have an uncle who is a Medical Representative in Iloilo. He was staying there since two years ago. The day of the typhoon was actually his birthday. It was June 21, a Saturday so everyone went to my Lolas house for a get together and to celebrate his birthday, though he was away. We all happily and excitedly texted our birthday greetings to him but his sole reply was 'Thank you' and thats it. We thought he was just busy in his work but later on we learned that typhoon is already approaching Iloilo and the gush of wind is already starting to be strong. Later at around six or seven, he texted us saying: "Lubog na ang kotse ko, hindi ko na makita kwarto ko (he was renting a flat), lagpas tao na sa labas, lumipat na kami sa kabilang bahay, wala nang rescue, please pray for our safety." And we started worry. We then asked him to get food and water, empty bottles which he can use as floaters and to take a great care on himself. Then he replied back they dont have food and water and the dam was broke thats why the flood was really high. Plus, they were not expecting that Frank would visit them. After, his last text (he was saving his battery), we went home. I was really worried but I know he will do anything for his survival and I know they will be rescued. The next day, he was already in a hotel. The company for whom he was working took the responsibility of taking care of them. After they were rescued (Im not sure if they were rescued or they waited for the flood to lower down because we were overwhelmed that he was already safe we haven't able to ask about it) they were transfered to a hotel to take their refuge. At that time, he doesn't know how his flat looks like or if the car will still work. The good news and the most important thing is they are safe. Well, maybe today his life is getting back to normal, I dont have new news. But thank God they he is alive. And I know it would be a birthday that he will never forget for the rest of his life.


L: Fireman and members of a rescue group help an elderly woman out of the Jaro river near Iloilo city, central Philippines June 21, 2008. Typhoon Fengshen killed at least 17 people in floods and landslides in the Philippines and left a ferry adrift with over 700 passengers and crew on Saturday.(Yahoo! News) R: The residents salvaging their things after the typhoon.

Frank is now far from us. But the PAGASA said watch out for 14-16 more typhoons this year, three of which maybe as powerful as Frank. I guess we should just be ready for a time like this and be very EXTRA careful.
*All the images are from Yahoo! Image*