Last Thursday Mayang and I were making preparations for Typhoon Yolanda which was due the next day. First we stocked up on gas for the old faithful Honda generator. Put everything that is not nailed down outside, into the Man Cave in back, made sure the pump to my well was working, in case city water was turned off and used the city water to fill our two water tanks.
Off to town to stock up on chow and canned consumables (Since canned beer will chill down faster than bottles I recommend them for Typhoon situations) while in town at the Royal store I went outside to hang around while Mayang and her sister finished the shopping. To my surprise sitting on the bench was an old retired Kano, gazing across the parking lot. Not by any means a friend, but one to be avoided.
The reason is he had once worked in a friends bar as a manager, and when my friend about seven years ago had to be hospitalized and his wife (Also our friend) was spending all her time in the hospital, the bar mysteriously starting losing money, next he started saying that he was a full partner in the bar, and not just an employee. We (The Customers) knew this to be a falsehood, but kept going to the bar, and to the hospital to see our friend.
Our friend passed and this Kano announced that he was now the owner, my friend’s wife came back and the arguing commenced. She brought in the paperwork and the police and explained to Mr. Kano that she leased the building, and held receipts to all the equipment within the bar. He departed.
But there at the Royal store, there he was 7 years later, and now he approached me like we were old bosom buddies. I let him know that was not the case at all, and walked away. He has been shunned by most foreigners here in this area that knew of, or had heard of his dastardly deeds. (That certainly was odd!)
Back to the Typhoon
All is prepared now; we are ready to deal with whatever comes our way. Then at 0400 hours (4 AM) Friday morning I opened my e-mail and there was a notice from the US Embassy in Manila informing me that a Category five Typhoon was bearing down on the Philippines.
Alright I know the president is always the last to find out anything, but the Embassy? Hell they live here, everyone has known for a week, even the Philippine Pag-Asa (They watch the weather channels) knew about the storm and the Embassy feels that a twelve hour notice is all that’s required? But still, now that I don’t trust the embassy any more than I due the administration, I looked out the window. Yup, something strange was going on, trees were a swaying, and huge black clouds were a forming. Without the embassy notice I could have be caught with my pants down.
Now it’s Saturday morning, I woke up safe and sound, but feeling emphatic to our neighbors in the south who bore the brunt of this storm. Our hearts go out to you!
You just wouldn’t believe me. I made all the preparations, all hatches were battened down; the house was rigged for heavy seas. Then I sat by the TV watching as the Typhoon hit to the South of me, as I looked out the window I saw no rain, no wind, just a cloudy day. Oh and for reasons I’ll never understand we lost power for 7 hours, and the generator was working just fine.
Now at noon time and the storm is halfway across the Islands. Outside my window a rain “SHOWER” for 10 minutes then it stopped. At 1700 (5 pm) the wind picks up, a dead branch at the top of my Mango tree fell down and hit the grass. Now that branch had died two weeks ago during another storm, but I put off sending someone up the tree to get it. I don’t have to now.
The reports say that the storm is gone; it is now out in the South China Sea heading to Vietnam early Friday night. So now at 2200 (10 PM) hard rain and gusting winds hit Bataan all night and into Saturday morning. Where in the hell is it coming from? During the storm NOTHING, after the storm, mild wind and rain. And you wonder why I drink SMB’s!
To all our friends and neighbors in the Central Philippines, I feel for what you just went through, and hope you are all safe and well.
This old Boy Scout Believes that you can never be TOO prepared Paul. The embassy puts out so much crap that I seldom believe anything from them, However when they do have something legit to disseminate It is invariably too little too late
Joe;
All the extra gas I laid in for the generator will be used in my car, the chow will not go to waste, and all beer will be consumed in a timely manner. Plus I won’t bother putting in for a merit badge. Happy to hear that you and yours are safe and sound!.
Glad to hear that you weren’t affected by that storm, and our hearts and prayers go out to all those who lost their lives. Our place is to the south of the path of that storm and there was minimal damage around there. Downed power lines, a few sheets of roofing tin here and there.
I was wondering if you knew if there are storm shutters available there? We’d like to get some installed on our house if there is such a thing there. If not, I guess I could fabricate some of my own if I had to.
GunnyD;;
They have two types electric and hand cranked also they make and sell medal tracked store fronts and gates or garage doors. The electric I would skip unless you have a generator. Search the web to see what they have where you are.
Glad to hear you were spared any real damage, the power will be off for some time according to the local news.
I am glad to hear you and yours are safe. Although we have not met face to face yet, your facebook page provides me with material to amuse or annoy my friends on an almost daily basis.
I am so happy that the friends and family there are all safe to the best of my knowledge, but at the same time I almost feel guilty feeling that way since the path of the storm that made them safe caused so much problem to others. Having said that, I will allow a Higher Power or Karma or whatever best describes this control make those decisions and I will deal with them.
A question in closing; what relief agencies can you recommend that would best see that the donations sent get where it needs to go in this time of need? I am happy to help with what I can but hate for 80% of the donations to end up lining the pockets of the administrators. I only know of one that I have worked with in the past. It is a faith based organization that does not take any administrative costs, but they also have a limited amount of capacity for this type if disaster.
Take care and be well
LeRoy
LeRoy;
The group that “I” trust is the Red Cross, as the internet scammers are out in force now. The Red Cross during the earthquake in Bohol, were told by the mayor that he would be the one to distribute relief supplies, the Red Cross told him very politely to “Pack Sand”
As for that horrific storm, I don’t understand why the pag-asa was telling us in Bataan to be prepared, unless they and the folks at the embassy hang around together. I’ve learned to go online and find out for myself.
As for my annoying liberals, well, I’ve taken it on as a mission in life. Example; On one site I used the word Handicapped and got my ass chewed because the bleeding heart liberal corrected me and said the “NEW” term was “Persons with a disability” I never got the memo from the PC Police, but I did ask if they had removed all the signs in the US that pointed out the Handicapped Access, and the Handicapped Parking or had they also not received the memo? They annoy me more.
My thoughts and prayers are with those poor people down South battered by this calamity.
Murray
They need that and more.;
That was a rotten thing the kano tried to pull on his friend that died and the friends widow. He should be keel hauled. The news from the storm aftermath gets worse every day. A wonderful people have been decimated. You hear “why didn’t they evacuate, they had warning?” The answer is simple –where, and how, would they go.
Loren;
Life has its ways of paying people back for the crap they pull. Is life has been in the dumper since he left the Navy with a small pension.
I can’t stand to see those NEWS vultures asking people the most stupid questions I’ve ever heard. “Well what are you going to do now?” What question is that to ask someone who has just lost everything they ever had? Journalism, I think not, if you’re not there to help get out of the damn way!
FYI, this unfolding disaster is top news on all the networks here in San Francisco for the past few days. Also as you might have guessed all the scammers are out in force asking for donations. My family claims most of the food and clothes donated here in the USA will end up in ukay-ukay stores. Better to give to only known agencies with a good track record.
I always donate direct to the international Red Cross just to make sure at least most of donation gets to those that need it.
I agree Paul, that the best weather report in most cases is looking out the window and at the actual maps online. Has never failed me yet.
Take care.
Tito Joe;
Your family is right a lot of donations do get side tracked into official pockets, I’m with you about the Red Cross they seem to be the most trusted..
Something I learned in the Navy:
Red sky at night, is a Sailors delight.
Red sky in the morning, Sailor take warning.
This and sticking my head out the window works well for me.
My wife just got a text from a distant relative in Masbate needing transportation “loan” so they can travel to that totally wiped out area to help the relatives. We wonder how are they going to help, maybe buy getting in the food and clothing lines? let the scams begin.
Loren;
That just doesn’t sound right. Extra people like that and reporters are really not needed in a disaster area. Both use up needed supplies and get in the way.
Fortunately, my scheduled flight to New York, after another very enjoyable vacation visit to Iligan City was on the Wednesday before the Typhoon. I feel sorry for all of those in the badly hit areas. Too bad things like this bring out so many scammers.
On this years visit, I had the opportunity to try Durian Pizza ! Regular readers from a few years ago may remember my first attempt at trying Durian. Disguising it as Pizza made it much easier to swallow and I actually enjoyed it !
Bob (NY);
That was the luck of the draw on that flight, not much is getting north at this time do to a logger head of flights. I would love to get my hands on a scammer and talk harshly to them.
If the lord grants me 20 more years riding this big round ball, durian Pizza will never be on my bucket list.
Paul,
I can’t believe that guy really thought he was going to be owner of the bar. It’s sad people just try to take advantage of situations. Looks like Karma is really biting him in the ass now. What comes around goes around. You got as much rain as we got. We didn’t lose power, just cable for a little bit
Randy (Papa Duck);
Satellite TV goes out during any rain storm, its the nature of the beast.
As for Mr. Kano, he is what I call a sub-species of our human condition, and not to be bothered with.
Paul,
Forgot to tell you happy belated Veterans Day and a belated happy b-day to the Marines. Also did you see they christened the latest carrier Gerald R. Ford.
I thought veterans day was a day to remember bank tellers and let them have the day off and close the bank because of all the hard work they do and all the sweat and blood they have poured out in behalf of the American people. God bless the banks!. and no I don’t work for a bank….
Darin;
It’s so the Congress and Senate and their families can enjoy a nice paid long weekend. As less than 5% of them have ever served their country
Randy;
A Ship named after Jerry Ford, I hope it doesn’t bump into things.
Paul
Glad to hear everyone and everything is fine there. Really happy because my wife’s family is from San Narciso, just north of you, so they did not get hammered either.
Allan;
My wife has relatives in San Narciso and believe me if there was any problems they would have moved into my Man Cave, It’s still empty so all is well!
I enjoy reading the posting on this site. Very well written and very informative.
Thomas;
I and the other LiP writers thank you for your comment.