I couldn’t reach my family back home in Leyte, Philippines as of now. The super tyhpoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) hit my country Friday morning, November 8, 2013 with a sustained wind strength of 195 miles per hour (195 mph). The super typhoon Yolanda was placed into Category 5 or strong Category 4 Hurricane. It was recorded the strongest storm in the world in 2013.
The Philippines gets typhoon yearly but this one was the strongest and it made its landfall in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Cebu, and the rest of islands in Central Visayas Region. I was able to talk to my parents Friday morning as the typhoon was starting to enter the country. While I was talking to my mom, I heard the whistling winds in the background and she said they already saw neighbors’ roofs blown by the strong winds. She told me that my sister and her kids are in the house already. My brother and his family evacuated to his wife’s aunt.
At that time my parents were worried about my youngest sister who’s in training in Cebu. So I assured them that I will call her and will give them feedback. I got hold of my baby sister. She and her group are doing fine. They’re staying in a pension house in Cebu. She was able to get online because the hotel has an emergency generator. I am so thankful for that! But when I tried calling my parents and siblings after a while, their mobile phones cannot be reached already. That moment the communication went down and the power went off. Total black out as of the moment. The news teams couldn’t stream and broadcast information.
I am very worried right now because food is scarce and establishments like banks are most likely down right now. I am worried about my nieces and nephews as well. So many damages done in my hometown. My family, friends, and kababayans in the Philippines need help. If I can gather some donations, I will highly appreciate it. They badly need food, medicine, and clothing.
Oh God bless the Philippines!
