Typhoon “Frank” the Scourge of Malabon

Last Sunday, I got off work at exactly 3 pm and hurriedly went home to my family. Typhoon “Frank” is blasting the country and I live in the “Flood Capital of the Philippines” – Malabon. I was glad that the trains on the LRT’s running because its operation was suspended early that morning because it was an elevated train and they operators were afraid that the train would roll over because of the high winds, and being on an elevated track has added risk factor. So when I stepped in the train to take me to Monumento I said a prayer of thanks, I’m anxious to get home because electricity was turned off at 5 am that morning and hasn’t been restored yet by that time. My wife texted me a grocery list because flood waters has already reached our patio. So when I reached Monumento I was stunned to see the Mall connected to it close. I never saw that place closed at 4 pm so it was a real surprise for me. As I walk on, I started formulating plans on where to go next just in case I don’t see the any open stores in that area. then I saw a group of people walking through the side entrance of the mall. “What’s this?” I asked myself. I approached the door and asked the security guard if the grocery was open. I breath a sigh of relief to find out that the mall is closed but the grocery is open for business. Thank God! I hurriedly got the items and pay for them. then ran out of the store crosses the road for a jeepney ride to Malabon. I felt at ease at least the situation’s not so bad, otherwise I won’t get a ride home. Unfortunately the driver has other plans. The driver stopped at a point were it would take me 20 minutes to walk home in sunny weather. So I complained and he told me that the roads going to our place is flooded already up to the waist line, and they just can’t go on otherwise his jeepney will be damaged. So I get off I really can’t blame him. At least I’m closer to home. I rolled up my pants and decided to wade in the water, because I will be Damned if I pay 75 pesos for a human powered tricycle to reached home. Then I saw it! I thought it was a monster, it was a military amphibian vehicle and they are giving free rides to my area. Hallelujah I ‘m saved! The vehicle was massive. it’s height is at least 20 feet (I may be wrong, I didn’t have tape measure) and its tires were huge! “No flood, can stop that.” I thought.

So I climbed the ladder and got on board, there were no seats available so I was forced to stand and get wet (Are we not men?) As the vehicle move I saw for my self the devastation the typhoon ha brought. floods as high as the waist line, and some people who lived in that area have their belongings wrapped in plastic bags and tried to walk to the end of town because the waters are much lower there. The fish ponds are no longer fishponds, the dividing markers between the pond and the roads have been swept away, and the waters claimed the pond. Free fish for those who can catch it! And even though there was a calamity I can see some people waving at us on the amphibian, some are waivng to the camera as GMA 7 was also on board and shooting off reports. You really can’t break the Filipino spirit that easily. I reached my town and get off the vehicle. I flagged down an tricycle (foot powered, mind you) and tried to guess how high the floods near my house. There were no floods! the roads turned into a river. the water was about knee deep and I swear I saw fishes swimming (remember the fish ponds?) It’s a good thing that I took off my shoes as soon as I got on the pedicab and rolled my pants because there’s just no way for me to go home without going home, not unless I’m Captain Marvel and fly. I was tired, wet and hungry as I reached home.

The first thing I heard was my son, waiting for me. “Dad!” I smiled he was sitting by the window, looking at me with a hugh smile. I don’t feel tired anymore, who could be with that kind of reception. My wife was there, terribly relieved I got home. Dinner was waiting. As I sat down to eat I gave a short prayer of thanks. There’s hope after all.