Wordless Wednesday #92 | An Unexpected Guest.

Two days after the onslaught that was Glenda, an unexpected guest flew into my grandmother's home.

From Hogwarts? :)

Yes, it's an owl!

The poor thing must have lost its way during the typhoon, so we decided to take care of it for the meantime. Everyone was so excited to have this feathered friend around, especially my little man. He even named it 'Hedwig', after Harry Potter's ever famous owl.

Showing off.

I believe this is the Philippine Scops-Owl aka Oriental Screech Owl, though I don't remember hearing it screech while he was here.

That stare.

We were supposed to turn this guy over to the folks at DENR this week, but my grandmother decided to just let Hedwig leave on his own. She was worried that the poor thing might die, since we don't know exactly what to feed it with. I know owls eat mice and lizards and stuff like that, but how on earth am I supposed to give him those? Lol.

Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Hedwig. I hope you're safe and sound and happily eating wherever you are. :)

In Glenda's Aftermath...

With signal number 3 raised in Laguna on the evening of July 15, I knew Glenda (international name Rammasun) would hit our province our hard. The typhoon was expected to make landfall in the Bicol region at around 3 or 4 am the following day, and true enough, heavy rains and howling winds kept me up during the wee hours of July 16. I could hear the trees rustling in our backyard, while in the front yard, I could hear ripping and crashing sounds of what seemed to be roofs and pole posts.

I was scared as hell the entire time, while my little boy was sleeping soundly beside me. I have never prayed so hard in my entire life, asking for this ordeal to be over and done with, for the typhoon to finally leave, and for our house to be safe from falling and flying objects. Floods don't scare me (as this is a rare occurrence here in San Pablo City) but falling coconut trees do.

It was around 10 am when the rain finally subsided and the skies began to clear. It was only then that I had the courage to step outside the house and check the damages that Glenda left in our compound.

Flooded garage and front yard.

Fallen trees and flying roofs.

Here's how our backyard looks like.

I'm thankful that bananas, and not coconuts fell on our backyard.

Electricity, phone lines, and cellphone signal were down and out, but luckily we had potable water. By nighttime, our telephone line had been restored, much to the the relief of our loved ones abroad. And as of 5 pm today (July 18), after almost three days of darkness, power has been restored in our barangay and in most areas here in San Pablo City.

Earlier today, the little man went to the mall to eat out and do some grocery shopping. Here's the devastation that we saw along the way.

Photo credit: ANC Facebook page.

Who would have thought that the biggest mall here in my hometown could be damaged to this extent? Well I never.

Photo credit: ANC Facebook page.

Pizza Hut along Rizal Avenue.

I heard there's another typhoon coming, so I stocked up on batteries, canned goods, and drinking water. I am hoping this new weather disturbance (he now goes by the name 'Henry') will not be as threatening as Glenda. Stay safe and dry, everyone!

Libreng Tawag and Charging Stations from Globe Telecom.

With Glenda finally out of the country, things are slowly getting back to normal around here in San Pablo City, Laguna, and in other areas badly hit by the typhoon. For my kababayans in the Bicol region, here's a bit of good news for you.

Last Wednesday, July 16, leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom set up a Libreng Tawag and Charging station in Daet, Camarines Norte to assist residents with their communication needs after Typhoon Glenda ripped through the region Tuesday evening.

Globe Libreng Tawag and Charging Station.

The Globe Libreng Tawag and Charging center was placed at the Daet Elevated Town Plaza where a lot of people usually converge. Through the free call and text service of Globe, Daet residents could remain in contact with their families and friends to assure them of their safety or to request for aid if necessary.

Aside from Daet, Globe has also put up similar facilities in Legazpi and Daraga in Albay on Thursday morning. Globe will also mobilize relief operations in hardly-hit areas as soon as possible.

Globe actively provides mobile and internet support to victims of calamities as well as government and non-government organizations handling relief and rescue operations in the spirit of nation building. The company’s disaster management preparedness makes sure that it also takes care of the communities where it operates.