Going Home

Aug. 07, 2012

          My friend and I stayed on the condo since yesterday. Too bad class was suspended because of the bad weather. We never really thought how devastated Manila is until we left to go to Laguna. Good thing we are still able to watch TV and check Twitter for updates. The reason why we also decided to go home is that we're not certain how long the generator of the condo will last and we are scared that power will soon cut off. Also, it's better to be with your family in times like this.

          We know that some parts of Manila are already submerged in water. But, we are willing to take chances. The LRT and MRT are working anyway.

This is a view from our condo on the 7th floor. This is the railroad in Sta. Mesa-Pandacan. I think that is the Pasig River. Those are the trolley drivers caught in heavy rains and strong winds.

         We left the condo around 10:30 am and the rain has already stopped. When we are about to take the Jeep rain started pouring again- HARD! We took shelter on a waiting shed. There is no Jeep going to Cubao or even V. Mapa where we can go to ride the LRT. But we waited for another 5 minutes. Then I noticed something beside me- a pile of garbage. I really don't doubt if big parts of NCR and Luzon provinces are submerged in flood. Trash is really a big factor why we experience flood. Filipinos have the tendency to blame the government if something negative like this happen. Like, seriously?

 Photo taken in Sta. Mesa, Manila

          We decided to just ride the tricycle and told the driver to bring us to the nearest LRT station. We knew that the LRT stations like Pureza and V. Mapa are submerged in waist-chest deep flood. We have no choice. The flood is really deep; no wonder why there are no Jeeps in the area. I was overwhelmed by the situation. It's sad that we are actually experiencing it. So, how do we get to the station? We rode a floating bath tub! It's so funny. Actually I'm quite amused how resourceful Filipinos are. Imagine using make-shift floating device to transport people from the station to a safe part. They are also making a living out of it. The experience was just funny.

This is the video while we ride the improvised floating device, which in this situation, a bathtub.

I muted it so you can't hear what we're saying. LOL

LRT V. Mapa station. Waist-chest deep flood. Beside SM Sta. Mesa.

Inside the LRT. 

          Good thing that the LRT is not suspended. The PNR was suspended, if it wasn't, we could arrive home earlier.

These pictures were taken in the connecting bridge of Recto-D. Jose station. 

          The places along LRT line 1 are also submerged in flood. Good thing there is no flood on the route of the bus going home.

          Clarisse and I are just grateful that we arrived home safely. I heard that the situation has gotten worse in Manila. We think that we made the right decision going home here in Laguna. I am very grateful that my home is not submerged in flood. This day made me realize how lucky I am to not be sleeping in evacuation centers, or staying in top of the house. I hope that we learned our lesson on this matter. We all know that this will soon end and we'll soon see the sun again. I've also seen humorous pictures regarding the current situation. It just prove how we can still be happy regardless the situation. Let us stay resilient, that's the Filipino spirit.