As usual, the weather forecasters got it wrong again. Last Tuesday night, typhoon Basyang struck the main island of Luzon. Forecasters predicted that it would hit the north. Lo and behold! With barelt two hours befor it hit, they changed their prediction. The typhoon would now hit Metro Manila direwctly. Two hours was just too late because by the time they made the new warning, the pwoer was already down. No radio or television transmission. Metro Manila was in total darkness and unaware of the devastation it faced.

Thank Go it was nowhere near Ondoy’s strength which devastated the entire Luzon island. Still it left more than two dozen dead and millions in damaged infrastructure. The next day created chaos but the efficient response of government quickly returned sanity. The light rails did not work as power was down most of the day. Isolated traffic jams were experienced by motorists.

Despite having limited resources, government agencies was able to reach typhoon victims. Even the coastguard was able to recover lost fishermen within the day. We’ve managed to get back on our feet quickly despite the downed power lines and downed cell sites.

Typhoon Basyang is only second typhoon to hit the country after we experienced El Niño. We have an average of 22 typhoons a year with the few last ones being the most dangerous. With the former administration depleting our calamity funds, I wonder how the current dispensation will address the coming disasters? I just hope that God be kinder to us and our new government.

Aargh! This weather’s driving me nuts. The storm that’s supposed to hit Manila never came. Two days of school were wasted. Huge changes in the weather is largely blamed on global warming. People should really take this problem seriously. Unfortunately, much of the developed countries simply refuse to do their part. At least now, more and more people are aware of the disasters this phenomenon is causing. I’m trying to do my share through recyclyng and using alternative fuels. Plus recycling gives me added earnings.

What I fear most if the seasons join the fray. It’s would be nice to have winter here but what about those who cannot afford winter clothing? Yikes! I shudder at the cost of life it may bring. I’d rather stick to this quirky weather than see thousands perish due to cold. I just hope and pray that that day never comes. Let’s all do our share, this is the only home we have.