A couple of days after Ondoy ravaged a large part of Metro Manila, the news of a another oncoming typhoon was splashed on the internet and evening news. Everybody braced themselves for another encounter with nature.
After reading about the oncoming typhoon, I kinda forgot about it. It was Monday when I first read about that. It was supposed to make landfall on Friday afternoon. Since I was busy with work (work, and more work!) in the days that followed, it didn't occur to me that the reason why it was raining heavily when I woke up on Friday was because there was a typhoon! I was clueless as well when text messages from applicants started coming in, asking whether the interviews that we have scheduled for that day will still take place. Yes, of course, I told them. Why on earth not? I thought to myself.
It was only when I went downstairs to have brekkers that I remembered that Typhoon Parma (woot) was supposed to make its grand entrance that day. LGUs, NGOs and the media were in close coordination in the effort to prevent another 'Ondoy incident' from taking place in Cam Sur. I wanted to just stay at home and crawl under the covers but of course, a recruiter's work is never done. I had to report for work, come hell or high water (literally and figuratively). So, armed with a big, nay, huge umbreller, I slipped on a pair of rubber slippers, rolled up my jeans and hailed a ride to the office.
Although there were some brave applicants who still went to the office in spite and despite the downpour, we had to get in touch with the rest of the people whom we scheduled for an interview that day. After all the applicants left, the team decided to have lunch. When we went outside, we found out, much to our dismay, that the street in front of our building was already flooded. There was no way we could get to our usual lunch place without getting drenched. Since we were not yet done for the day, we decided to just order in and have lunch in the office.
We hurriedly finished all reports that needed to be submitted that day because we really wanted to go home as early as possible. It was just 4PM and already, it was starting to get really dark. After submitting all reports and replying to all important emails, we had to complete one last task before we called it a day: take an online assessment.
The online assessment is supposed to be part of the recruitment process for one of our programs. We had to take it to experience it first hand. While in the middle of taking the assessment, however, my phone rang. It was pop. I had to cancel the call since I was not yet done with the assessment. When he couldn't get in touch with me, he sent a text message saying that parts of Panganiban Drive (one of the major thoroughfares in Naga City and where I usually pass on my way home) was already flooded. He told me to use my best judgment when deciding whether I would go home or not.
No way was I gonna get trapped in the office! I definitely did not want to spend the night there. I wanted to go home so I hurriedly finished the assessment. Not bothering to doublecheck my answers and sometimes just taking wild guesses when I couldn't immediately figure out the answers. Eventually, I was done. Flood or no flood, by George, I was gonna go home.
I left the office together with my team mates. When we got to Panganiban drive, there weren't any available public transportation. A number of private vehicles sped by but no jeepney nor tricycle. We all decided to walk then. The sooner we got to downtown Naga, the better. We were pretty sure that we could get a ride home there.
The street was indeed starting to get flooded. I waded in the water. I still successfully got my jeans wet even after rolling them up again because the water was more than ankle deep. My companions were telling me to get out of the water and walk on the sidewalk where the water was not so deep. I was actually having fun wading in the water so I told them I was okay...until they warned me of snakes that might be gliding in the flood. Ssssssnakes! Eeeep! Fast as lightning, I ran to the sidewalk.
Eventually, a jeepney ambled by and we scrambled in after it stopped in front of us. It was a good thing since when we got to the really flooded part of Panganiban Drive, we found out that it was indeed flooded. Knee-deep, almost. Ack! When we passed by Panganiban Bridge, I noticed that the river almost reached the bridge. I hope it didn't rise any further. Otherwise, since we live on the riverbank, if it overflows, it would most definitely spill over into our backyard. If it rises even more, into the house.
The Bicol River, as seen from our backyard. Photo by Bro. Jay.
After the slow jeepney ride, we finally reached downtown Naga. It a while for me to find a tricycle to take me home. I did find one eventually. I reached home safely. Thank God.
It was a good thing that even thought typhoon Parma was tagged as a super typhoon it did not wreak as much havoc as expected.
Thank you very much to all family, friends and loved ones who expressed concern and prayed for our safety in the midst of the typhoon.
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