I am getting nervous. I’ve been monitoring weather reports, press briefings, special coverage in preparation for the coming typhoon (it has already entered Phil. Area of Responsibility) and searching on other web pages about typhoon Ruby. It’s ironic that the very name Hagupit, a Tagalog word which means lash, blow, beating or strike is the international name of a typhoon which the Philippines has contributed to the list of tropical cyclones for this year. Locally, we have different names of weather disturbances. Ruby has been classified by JTWC (Joint Typhoon Warning Center) as super typhoon. As of 11am today, DOST PAGASA’s latest report said that typhoon Ruby has maintained its strength as it continues to move west-northwest towards Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area. For those who have heard of typhoon Haiyan, known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, and is believed to be the strongest recorded tropical cyclone ever to make landfall and the fourth strongest tropical cyclone in history, with wind speeds (at landfall) of 195 mph (314 km/h) which devastated the Philippines last year, Samar in the Visayas is the same area that is on the track of typhoon Ruby. PAGASA has raised typhoon signal number 2 in several areas in Luzon and the Visayas and signal number 1 in other areas including Mindanao.
When you live in a place where typhoons and tropical cyclones are regular visitors, no matter how careful you are, there will always be that tight knot of fear in your heart. Nature as its worse is also one of the worst enemies of mankind. To think that those Yolanda survivors haven’t completely recovered yet from the wrath of the typhoon and here is another one that would surely bring more devastations.
They say that Metro Manila won’t be directly hit by the typhoon but it is included in its wide ring band that would bring intense rain which would likely bring flash flood again. I have done our groceries early this morning, buying canned goods and other items like batteries for flashlights and radio that we could use if worse comes to worse. I have recharged our lanterns and cellphones but still thinking of transferring our car to a higher place in the neighborhood. Better be prepared than be sorry.
I am praying hard just like some of our friends in the social media who have launched a prayer brigade that this typhoon won’t bring too much havoc and upheaval to our beautiful country. I pray that we would all have presence of mind, courage and faith that this storm would leave us still hopeful of a meaningful and happy Christmas 2014. I want to share this lovely prayer shared by the Diocese of Borongan, Samar.
We also need your prayers. Please pray for our country.
Dreams And Escapes 
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