Tuesday, July 13,  was a really a bad break for the rest of Luzon. Typhoon Conson or more popularly known as “Bagyong Basyang” ravaged the country leaving a terrible trail in its wake.

With gusts of wind reaching speeds of up to 120 mph, the typhoon caught Luzon of guard.

Photo by Jerome Ascano/NPPA

Read more after the cut….

I was unlucky enough to be on my way home when Bagyong Basyang made landfall in Luzon.  While walking towards the PUV station where I was supposed to take a bus ride home, I noticed how dark and how the clouds were starting to swirl in the dark starless sky. Just like a bad APOCALYPSE movie where the disaster was about to begin. And I just had to double my pace.

And then it hit me that, there I was with my industrial strength umbrella in hand braving the oncoming storm at 11:00 pm (around the same time the howling winds starting well, you know, howling…) getting to the bus station and praying the lights don’t go out. Not until I got home…

And as the bus proceeded, I looked out. First along the empty and dark EDSA Avenue, the wasteland looking SLEX (South Luzon Expressway) and finally to San Pedro Laguna where I still hold residence.

I did a lot of thinking that stormy evening. I felt bad for the people that may just lose their homes because of the intensity of the typhoon. I felt bad for the livelihood that could be lost because of the wind, the rains or the floods. I felt sorry for the people like me, still on their way home. Praying to God for protection and safety as they travel the dark and windy path to their loved ones. I felt sorry for the people on the way home or are already home who was set to die that evening.

I felt sorry for the people who will suffer tommorrow due to the blackouts caused by the typhoon.

And most importantly, I felt sorry for PAGASA. I didnt have anyway to know that 11 pm was when the storm suddenly became Storm Signal # 2, which makes the winds deadlier and the weather nastier. All of this could have been prevented if PAGASA knew what they were actually saying.

I felt small and puny. Facing nature’s wrath will keep you grounded or snap you back to reality. No matter how rich or strong or powerful you are, sooner or later, mother nature will bite you in the ass and you’ll have to join the lesser people.

Technorati Tags: Bagyong Basyang, Basyang, Typhoon Conson

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1. The SLEX Nightmare.