The year 1995 noted an unusual cyclone trend in the western Pacific basin.The La Nina effect caused an increased draw of more strengthened storms.Hurrican “Angela” was one of the strongest storms to cause insurmountable damage to the Philippines. This storm was already packing wind speeds afar at about at least 1000 miles continuing to intensify at steady gains made extraordinary fear to embrace the public for awareness and abreast preparation as the storm headed toward Southern Luzon. Before its forecast ground hit televised the storm was on its way culminating to steady wind peaks at least 250 km per hour at close range within the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The storm was first forecast to hit Catanduanes, then the Bicol Region, with its peak fury at landfall to be at least 285 km per hour. Danger lurked the whole Luzon Island.
Conscious of the storm the potential damage it may cause, I remember my uncles and I checking our roofs had enough strength to standthe winds. Our house in its fairly old structure stood many of the worst storms in the past, but survived. The bungalow type the house sports with a look is advantageous to stand through storms. It was lucky we had it. Without doubt I was confident we could weather the storm but prayers could only save. I was hoping for the best but expecting the worst then.
Catching the first glimpsethe widespread damage caused on Catanduanes,with the storm heading its way towards Metro Manila, the public realized the extensive damage that the storm could ravage to limits within the city. PAGASA forecasted a high pressure which developed on the northern portion of the Philippines preventing the storm to sheer its course northbound towardsJapan, as what the usual path is. Because of that,entrapped fear grew to its peak for the people of Metro Manila.
Winds on the onset of the storm upon its approach gave a hint feeling of its unbound strength. The storm finally hovered over Metro Manila. That night ravaging winds peaked at 240 km per hourgusting to 320 km per hour as it approached the city. The subduedfury incited a scary feeling. It was like the roofs were ready to uproot.
Tracking this new course, Rosing headed its way to Manila crossed a precisely horizontal, straight path, hitting its eye at bulls eye on Metro Manila. Its entry had sown a bruising hint. The winds seemed to permeate its fury through the walls. This incited me to cover myself and an infusing window view with twisting trees as the winds blew them at sheer angles as if in real time and close range.Because of this grueling feeling and the outstanding uncertainities ahead of time compounded my senses that I wish then the time could pass quicker to get the storm over. The wind direction viewing from window at an extremely slim peep surmounted a clue what could have been much worst at full view. Since the time frame seems to dispose a longer range with the storm at a slower move than imagined, I forcibly came under my blankets, covered myself so thoroughlyout of the scare as I could not stand the wind strength causing tranches of the wind to sip through the windows and door peepholes. After prayerful moments for hours, I realized the storm had slowed down its strength and could bear now to hear the winds with bear ears.
After realizing through the news the damage extentcosted so insurmountable, I contemplated with wishful thinking no storms would come way to the Philippines ever again. But this was impossible. The Philippines is a geographical destination where its strategic location paved a path for the cyclones to come into and develop into a herculean monster upon arrival. Truly from religious views, prayers are so powerful if we heed to divine power in similar moments when the danger is beyond human strength for recovery. This proved just like from the same approach I did on the recent storm which was threatening upon entry and suddenly changed course upon close range where the storm was about to hit landfall. Over time, the generated hurricanes out of landfall on the Philippines generate insurmountable strength of rainfall. This gave me a an added anxiety when a strong downpour situates. Just like in the United States, in which hurricane “Katrina” battered with insurmountable strength and effect causing a total wipeout of the Gulf Region, could compare no other than we experience here with typhoons on a periodic basis. I can say the Philippines is still lucky except the impact “Ondoy” caused.by human negligence to the environment. Our people can weather the strength of the storm and the floods it may cause at escalating trends with heightened water levels if we shift our attention to environmental welfare. That way an adverse impact can be mitigated.
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