In Crisis, God's Mindful of His People

Does miracle exist? This would be a tendency of anyone who is caught in critical situation when help is beyond reach to expect for a miracle to solve the situation when everyone is totally desperate and lives are endangered.

Ten thousand of people were reported missing and dead as the Super Typhoon "Yolanda" heavily hit the Eastern Visayas by her 275 kph gusty winds strength.

Typhoon "Yolanda" ravaged the place at around 12 noon. Public weather storm signal # 4 raised over the provinces of Samar and Leyte.

The city of Tacloban was hardest hit, leaving everything standing to topple down. All means of communication were paralyzed. The residents were totally devoid of foods, water and shelter.

At the height of typhoon's wrath, everyone in that area is on his knees praying and hoping for a miracle to happen.

Putting Things in Order, Appeal to Mr. Anderson Cooper

A Facebook friend, Ms. Luna Lim Tingson has tagged me with Geraldine Uy Wong's account on the aftermath of deadly super typhoon "Yolanda" which almost decimated Tacloban City.

Ms. Geraldine Uy Wong is seeking help if her well-written, lenghty account of what had happened to Tacloban may reach Mr. Anderson Cooper, the veteran American journalist, who reported the incident personally to CNN. She relates that what Anderson Cooper saw, she also saw. She has a blow-by-blow account of what actually had happened to Tacloban City the time she visited the said devastated place.

How Typhoon Affected My Life

I couldn't help myself from remembering those typhoons that had affected my life. This is my latest reaction when our schools division superintendent called up an emergency meeting of all school principals in the division of La Carlota City.

While SDS Portia M. Mallorca was reviewing the preparation of the school's disaster risk reduction management council (DRRMC) in connection with the official declaration of Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. that no classes in all levels in the province for the expected landfall of the super typhoon "Yolanda",  I was recollecting several typhoons that had passed the vicinity of the country PH, particularly in our hometown and wrought great havoc to properties and claimed lives of people.

I relay our meeting to my teachers who are in stand by in our school. I remind them that our school will be ready anytime for evacuation center of those who are affected by the typhoon. Communication should be 24-hour available especially their respective cell phones. I also alert those members of the school DRRMC to be on the alert to function when needed.

Are Pupils Ready When Disaster Happens?

Most of the teachers and even the school heads had missed to observe the month of July as the National Disaster Month by virtue of Executive Order of 1999.They are used to celebrate the month of July as the Nutrition Month.

This morning in our flag ceremony of our school, Cubay Elementary School, I apprised our pupils the importance of disaster preparedness and checked themselves on how ready and prepared they are when natural calamities or disasters may occur anytime, especially when they least expect them. I reminded them how terrible it was before when they personally experienced the earthquake last year that shook the school for more than 8 minutes.

I remember that every one got panicked, cried and even trembled for fear that their lives are endangered. I was even affected too for it was the first time that I felt that tremor which moved the sala set which I was sitting when that quake struck. I got out from my office feeling dizzy, walking groggy.

Welcome AURING!

Of course, nobody would welcome any wind disturbances especially that have intensified into a cyclone or typhoon.

Satellite View of Typhoon Auring

As the year 2013 has started, Auring is the first tropical storm that enters the PH area of responsibility (PAR) for this month of January 2013.

In January 3, it located  somewhere in western part of Dipolog City, according to the latest weather update of PH weather bureau or Philippine Atmospheric, Geographical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of this post, it is situated on the Southwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The name Auring was first used in 1963 by PAGASA and until this year it is the 14th time.

The following is the revised list of the names of typhoon for 2013 adapted by PAGASA:

AURING, BISING, CRISING, DANTE, EMONG, FERIA, GORIO, HUANING, ISANG, JOLINA, KIKO, LABUYO, MARING, NANDO, ONDOY, PEPENG, QUEDAN, RAMIL, SANTI, TINO, URDUJA, VINTA, WILMA, YOLANDA, and ZORAIDA.

The PH is always visited by typhoon every year not less than 12 typhoons. The latest in 2012 was Quinta. So far for 2012, 17 typhoons entered the PH area of responsibility. Pablo wrought so much havoc in lives and damages to property.

Wikipedia site has the following information on PH typhoons as to the deadliest and most destructive typhoons so far had visited the PH island:

A. Deadliest cyclones (as to their extent of lives claimed):

Typhoon Uring in 1991 was the deadliest with 5,101 to 8,000 estimated lives loss. It was followed by Typhoon in September 22, 1867 with 1,800 lives loss. Then came Winnie in 2004, which lasted for 3 days (November 27–30) with 1,593 lives loss.

B. The Most Destructive (as to their extent of damages to property):

It was led by Pablo (December 2 -9, 2012) with estimated cost of damage to PHP36.9 billion (898 million USD). It was followed by Pepeng (October 2–10, 2009) with PHP27.3 billion (608 million USD) cost of damages, and Pedring (September 26–28, 2011) came next with PHP15 billion (333 million USD) cost of damages.    

Source: Typhoons in the Philippines


image: DOST PAGASA

Help Sendong Victims!

Sendong typhoon victims are not as unfortunate as they are. They are victims by a natural calamity like typhoon Washi (Sendong).

Since this is Christmas season, let's make them feel the real and true meaning of Christmas by giving our generous help for them to ease their pains and agony of nature's wrath befallen upon them.

It is more blessed to give than to receive. And it is in giving that we receive our blessings from the Lord.

Let us make the residents of Cagayan De Oro City, Iligan, and Dumaguete in the Philippines who were victimized by a flash flood few days ago. Some of them were able to escape and saved the clothes on their back. And some lost their properties, and more sadder their precious lives. What a gloomy Christmas for them.