raining. pouring. persisting.

Mike and I shot the ominous black clouds hanging over Malasag Hill last January 2. We never had an inkling it would lead to torrential rains for days and for displacing families when the water level rose and flooded houses in some areas of the city.

Mike and I again went out into the night last January 10, watching and waiting for the moon, purported to be on its brightest and biggest that night. After two hours of wondering if the clouds covering it would give us a lucid window, the moon shone above our heads and Mike and I snapped our pictures. But only for a very few minutes, for clouds once again covered the moon as fast as it let us into an opportunity to click. We also didn't have an idea that this would lead into another series of heavy rain and strong winds all over the city and its environs!

Three days into the torrents and here is the Philippines:


Where are Mindanao and the Visayas islands? Incredible! For the first time in my twelve years in Cagayan de Oro, I am seeing powerful winds sway the branches of the mango trees in our garden and rattle the french windows from their hinges.

Hand in hand with blasting radio commentators are my mother's invitation for the family to spend the next few days in Davao City, where the rains are not as bad. Some friends losing their houses AND some friends working on relief operations to assist those affected by the disaster all around. Private sector organizations rounding up donations AND politicians trying to be visible for election points.

Students preparing for major examinations AND students glad to stay at home because of the rain. People scaring each other with calamity stories growing bigger by the minute AND communication companies enjoying the endless forwarding of messages all over the country. Worrying over the family pet getting wet in his doghouse from the rain shower AND dead farm animals floating along the town streets.

Thinking that the people behind the miserable drainage system of the city must be damned AND relieved that the non-locals who barraged into the city and set up settlements in areas beside rivers must finally decide to go back where they came from so the city will be cleaned. (I so totally avoid starting on those denuded forests AND irresponsibility of corporations.)

Finally - I worry that I just am not able to capture rain perfectly in my camera AND praying that this rain will grow silent soon so life will return to normal.

Image from Google Earth