The wind sounded like a very mad lion. It was my first time hearing the wind could sounds like that, similar to a car or truck's engine forcibly trying to move but stucked up in mud.
We underestimated Odette. I don't really trust the Typhoon would hit that hard not until last night. My partner keep on telling me asking me if I have this and that to prepare yesterday morning. I just laugh at him in mind, thinking Odette won't be that strong.
After work, we hurriedly went to line up for Taxi since the wind was too strong to walk and find PUVs to go home
The severe tropical storm with the international name "Rai" enters the Philippine's Area of Responsibility at 7PM on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. It was given the local name "Odette" as the country's 15th cyclone for 2021. PAG-ASA said Odette has a high chance to become a typhoon by December 15, 2021.
Who would have thought that Odette have left so much traumas in our hearts. Lucky I am that time because I am with someone, how about those families who were left with an infant and an elderly under the storm, those houses that built in made of just woods and coconut leaves. Those who live by the shore and from mountain peak, they can't also say its safe there, actually no where is 100% safe that time.
Photo at the workplace, ground floor. Operations were stopped and all agents were advised to gather at the Mezannine floor for everyone's safety
Shaking while I dial up my parent's phone numbers and devastated when what I'm only getting was from an answering machine, "cannot be reach". The phrase that almost broke my heart. But after few hours of trying, successfully I've reached my mother telling me, all of them is at one place in the house, gathered together. I felt relieve but the typhoon wasn't finish yet.
Her voice, was full of fear and worried. Her voice was about to cry but just holding it. She needed to be strong since me and my father are too far from them. My father got stranded on his workplace. I was too worried at first because yesterday morning he drove all the way to Oslob and thank God he got back before evening.
Hopefully Odette is the closing remarks of 2021's history of fears and traumas. In my 27 years of existence, I have never ever felt this kind of fear because of typhoon in addition to Covid 19. Odette has definitely marked a history in our year 2021. Too much, too breaking.
Window and roof of the room next to ours. Photo outside, Tres Borces Mabolo
What we all felt is valid and normal. Let this serve as our lesson so that in the future, we will get more stronger and prepared. Prayers for everyone! Let's stay strong and move forward.We can do this!
Desclaimer: Some photos were from our group chat at work and from my relatives at Danao cellular phones. Some of it taken earlier today.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/weather/typhoon-odette-pagasa-forecast-december-16-2021-5am/