The Winds of Change

author: Dominic A. Banguis


t all began with a single text message. It was an ordinary night like any other as my girlfriend Maricar, read the text message from my cellular phone announcing the suspension of classes the following day, I did not pay much attention to it. I just thought that it was the first time that De La Salle Canlubang suspended a class due to an oncoming typhoon. I stayed up late into the wee hours of the morning thinking that I can wake up a little late and take it easy for the rest of the day. As tiredness finally settled in, I laid in my bed and closed my eyes with enthusiasm that I can rest longer the next day, little did I know of the coming event the that would change not only my life, but for a lot of Filipinos.

As I woke up the next day, I knew that there was something different. The electricity was out and my room was very dark. From my bedroom window, I could see that the wind was very strong and the sky was very dark. The trees in front of my window were swaying from side to side. I could also hear my dad downstairs instructing the maids to close all the windows and secure all the doors. As I approached my dad, he told me that the typhoon was a strong one and opted to stay at home for safety.

I still had the impression that it maybe just another “typical” typhoon of rains and wind, so I decided to fetch Maricar so that we can make use of the free time for sports, movies and similar activities. As we went out to get breakfast at McDonald’s, we were surprised and shocked to see a lot of old and big trees along the main road to have fallen.

As we stayed in line at the drive thru lane, the rain started to pour heavily and the wind was definitely stronger this time, even the pick up truck that I was driving was shaking due to the strong wind. On our way back to our house, it was terrible; I could not see a single thing.

If there was a single moment during the storm that I will always remember, it was the time when the storm subsided for a while, and everybody thought that the worse was over. Cars started to move around the village, there were even people walking in the street taking pictures of the trees. My dad decided to go out and get lunch at McDonald’s. As we drove up to the place, there was a long line of cars. We waited and waited for hours, and the line was not moving. We started to notice that the rain started to pour again, and the wind was picking up speed.

I remember having a quick glance at my rearview mirror to check the car behind us. I didn’t really notice anything other than a big green thing blocking my view, suddenly I realized that a tree crashed behind us and onto the car’s windshield. I started to honk the horn to attract attention to get some help. I tried to get out of the vehicle to help, but the moment I opened my door, a huge gust of wind slammed me back in. My dad, sensing that I was planning to go out, told me that I should stay inside the vehicle for protection. We were all shocked at that moment because a few seconds ago, we were in the same place and it could have been us that was hit by the tree.

I sometimes believe that things happen for a reason, may it be good or bad. But it is not karma, but a sense of believing that someone up in the heavens may be sending a message.

The destruction caused by Milenyo was unbelievable. I have never seen so much devastation right where I live especially in my community. Trees blocking the road, power lines dangling like vines in the streets, and cars crushed by the fallen trees. I used to think that these kinds of things can and will never happen to me or to the people close to me. We should all be thankful for the blessings that we all have. It maybe the wake-up call for everyone. Praise God that we are blessed to be alive.