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So the other day and yesterday were quite busy days for us in northern Cebu, not because of aftershocks from the earthquake, but because Bagyong Tino was fast approaching our region, and we had received many advisories regarding evacuation and emergency preparation. As of today, we are under Signal Number 4 together with some areas in the north that were also affected by the recent earthquake. Receiving news from LGUs and our local authorities felt sad and scary, especially because most of the earthquake survivors were still in recovery and on a quest to find shelters after losing their homes.
I heard from my mother that people were panic buying when they got to the market yesterday, and they were not able to complete their list of things to buy because almost all stores were out of stock of essentials like ropes, gas, and water. People were actually buying ropes and construction materials yesterday to tighten their shelters in fear that the typhoon would destroy their houses again. We were also in the same boat as them, so we were prepared and packed our things in case of emergency.
These photos were taken last last night. My mother needled a long, wide tarpaulin roll to cover our terrace because this is where we would stay temporarily. We chose to stay on the terrace because staying indoors, like in our rooms, was still not advisable and too risky. We had a makeshift tent outside also, but we dismantled it because it might get ripped by the wind.It rained moderately for the previous nights, and we were already on the terrace with all important things prepared. My family made sure to be ready this time because, in case of emergency, at least we had comfortable things to use, especially since we had two infants in our house who were still sensitive to the weather. My father was putting the tarpaulin roll around, and we were helping him with the task because the rain had been splashing around the corners of our roof, and getting our floors wet would require extra effort.
By morning, the clouds were already dark and hollow, ready to drop heavy rain and blow strong winds over the area. It was still calm, so we continued our work on securing our space so that it could persevere through the typhoon. We bought straw in the market; fortunately, a store was still selling two rolls, so we bought the last two.
We used it outside the terrace and attached it in a zigzag form so that it wouldn’t detach when the wind crashed into it. It might not look secure, but it was already firm because we nailed it on the top and bottom, plus the straw holding it.
This is Bruce, watching my father and younger brother do the work. He was quite confused about why he was outside because we always put him inside the house with no leash. We placed him above this makeshift bed because his space inside was occupied by many construction materials, and he might get wounded if we let him sleep beside them while the construction was ongoing.
After everything was placed and secured, we headed inside to arrange everything we needed so we could move comfortably in the little space of the terrace. A little while later, we heard the Valenzuela Rescue Team doing a rescue drill under the drizzle. This team had been staying here for two weeks now, and they were from Valenzuela. People asked for water from them whenever the water source was turned off across the town. They were very helpful, and I felt safe that they were near our house.
These were our important things we packed in trash bags and sacks. It might look inappropriate, but we wanted to secure our things, and these bags were resistant to hazards, so we used them. These were emergency bags and procedures also, so it didn’t matter as long as we were prepared. We also had bags complete with first aid kits, especially OTC drugs. Some canned goods and biscuits were prepared by my mother, and my older brother secured a set of flashlights.
We were already experiencing the wrath of Bagyong Tino by night and until now, and the rain had been pouring heavily since early evening. The winds were slightly strong, swaying the trees outside and making loud whistling sounds across the roofs. And the roofs were also banging aroung. The tarpaulin my mother sewed was fluttering against the wind, but thankfully it still held strong, keeping us dry on the terrace. Everyone was quiet while listening to the roaring rain, hoping it wouldn’t get any stronger. The power went off by 11 p.m. and no onde dared to sleep again, and only the light from our flashlights kept the place dimly lit. I could hear my father and brother checking the ropes outside, making sure everything was in place while the typhoon continued to pass through our area.
I wished for everyone’s safety, especially those who hadn’t found proper shelters yet after the recent earthquake. It breaks my heart thinking about people still staying under tents or makeshift houses, braving both the cold and the fear of what might happen next. Thanks to the rescuers and volunteers who remained strong as they helped those who needed them most. I hoped that sooner the sunlight would come again, and the only news we would hear was that the typhoon was gone and everyone was safe and sound.