NIGHTMARE AT HIGH NOON
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 I was busy talking with Sarah in my room that fateful morning of September 26, 2009 when Kay, my dog, went obnoxiously barking non-stop, so Dave, Sarah’s only child, took a look outside to find out why Kay was so restlessly growling. Dave shocked to find out what was happening, went berserk calling out for his Mom, to come out right away and take a look. Sarah and I jumped from our feet, to find out what was wrong. We saw flood waters about a foot tall inside the garage, submerging all of Kay’s paws. Dave and Nhey, nephew of Sarah’s husband, who was living with us, scoured the streets outside trying to find out what was causing the rush of waters. They conjectured that the drainage in the subdivision couldn’t catch up with the rainfall. So, we felt it was nothing to be alarmed about. After a few minutes, water subsided, despite continuing heavy rains. However, shortly after fifteen minutes that water subsided, Dave started shouting again. I went to check the garage and I found water was quickly submerging all things in the garage, so I beckoned Sarah and Nhey to start putting most of our things from the living room, to higher places in both our rooms, because the flood waters coming in will no longer be controlled. Within minutes, water came inside the living room, it was just enough time for me to put some of my clothes to the third level of the cabinets, believing water will not reach that high. In another few minutes, water consumed my room and became knee-high. I left my room seeing my bed submerged, took my laptop from the executive table and went to the living room, which was now knee-deep also (my room has the garage ground level), tack away safely the laptop, on top of the china cabinet, placed near the dining set. I forgot to get the battery cable switch and the rest of its gadgets, speakers, webcam, usb, fan cooler, etc. from the table top. I saw Sarah and Nhey had already brought the motorcycle and washing machine, from the garage into the living room because they supposed it was safer enough to bring them in. There was nothing more I could do but to feel and stare at the water rising and rising. I got awaken from my shock, when Sarah told me to go and evacuate quickly to the next street, where my other son was living and had a second floor, before waters get neck-deep and water currents get unmanageable. My son was not around at the time, having this business meeting in Cubao, only his three girls were left with the maid. I took my handbag where I put all my medicines and BP monitor. Held both by Nhey and Sarah on each arm, I traversed the short distance against the rampaging flood waters now more than waist deep. After crossing a few yards away from the house, Sarah chose to go back, with high hopes that she could still save most of the things inside the house. When we reached higher grounds towards the basketball and courtyard in the center of the subdivision, I asked Nhey to go back and help Sarah, while I continued walking along the street where my son lives, but water was still rising and beyond waist high now. The floodwater was slowly consuming the ground floor of my son’s house. His three girls were tucked in and safe in the second floor, with the housemaid. I was so red, flushed and hot, despite being drenched in cold water. I felt my blood pressure was rising, so I took my blood pressure, it went up to 160/120. Both my eyes were blood shot or bloody red like I was suffering from sore eyes. I took a double dosage of my anti-hypertensive pill, to make me feel stable and calm. I prayed hard for everyone’s safety including my well-being, so I will not be an added problem and there was physically no way and means for anyone to bring me to the hospital, if I succumbed. I would just feel myself slowly giving in. My prayers were heard and within minutes, I was back to normal From my son’s bedroom windows, I could see the water rising and rampaging at the back, towards where our house is located. I could see Sarah and Nhey trying to get into the street, but they were being swept away by the strong currents and only able to escape the sweep, by holding strongly and gripping well the door grills outside the house. Then, I also saw two guys rescuing Dave. He was carried by a man on his shoulder to only be able to cross and get to the next door neighbour. It was a longer while, when I saw Sarah and Nhey finally climbed the door and fence grills to cross and get to the neighbour, as well. They were offered by the neighbour to stay-in, until the waters subsided because it was physically impossible for them to cross the streets to get to the house, where I was staying. I was vigilantly watching the floodwaters rising through my son’s windows. I saw the neighbours’ cars slowly being submerged completely in water. I also witnessed a whole piece of three-seater sofa, frames of bed, plenty of bags, luggages being swept and carried away. There were men using lumber and wooden structures to swim safely, crossing the streets. There were also canned biscuits, several packaged noodles and stuffs sold by sari-sari stores floating and carried away by flood waters. The whole afternoon up to past midnight were about rushing flood waters, that got higher and higher. My son got home, sometime 7:30 in the evening. He was somewhere near the vicinity of our subdivision about 4:00 in the afternoon, but couldn’t penetrate the main street leading to the subdivision because of floodwaters that had big currents. He tied his waist strongly with a rope, trying to tie the other end of the same rope to something solid and sturdy, so he could pull himself and pace forward. He and his business partner slowly got into the subdivision within a stretch of three and a half hours. His whole ground floor was already submerged, when he arrived. He saw his sofa and dining sets floating. His newly bought refrigerator, washing machine, spinner, cabinets, gas stove and cylinder also floating. His television and other small electrical appliances were brought upstairs, by his maid and eleven year old daughter. Imagine how a child can become this responsible in the wake of an emergency as this. I barely slept the whole evening. I was very sensitive to the further rush of waters. In the total blackout, I keep hearing the floodwaters rampaging and sweeping things away. The whole subdivision of Northwind in Nagkaisang Nayon, Novaliches became a river of water, for several hours. It was about 3:00 in the early morning, when I again peeped at the window sill. I saw a streak of light inside my house, I immediately texted my son and daughter saying looters have gone inside our house. I kept close watch, but I couldn’t see through clearly who were inside my house. I guess, it was a natural thing for looters to be doing their huntings, while the sun had not risen. When I heard my daughter and son calling, I was relieved and asked who they saw inside my house. Sarah said it was she who was inspecting the house that early because she knew many would take advantage. She had to quickly find a padlock to close the gates of the house, so on one can get inside it and take anything from what was left inside the house. They had not padlocked the gates because it was swept wide open by the raging waters. At about 5:00 of the same morning, I went with Sarah to inspect the house. I could only cry and get sad about what I saw. The house was full of two inches mud, all things soaked with water and mud. Not a single thing left dried, all left topsy-turvy and even with a stench smell all over. My room was still full of flood waters with mud, in foot deep. My clothes in the cabinet all got wet and muddy, too. Both major and minor appliances, in ramble inside the house and needed general cleaning and checking for repairs and recovery, if still commissionable. There were no telephone and internet connections, as well. Electric current in the entire subdivision was cut. Water supply had streaks of mud and somehow murky. It was nightmare at high noon. Nothing I experienced during my 57 years in life. A trauma, I could build each time I hear heavy rains and typhoons. But am still very thankful, I hurdled this one catastrophe and came out alive and holding well, though physically feeble.[/font] “I hold it true, whatever befall; I  it, when I sorrow most.
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 10/5/2009 4:31 pm |
    
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10/5/2009 4:50 pm |
Tajane, Thank God your family are safe!!! I was late in hearing the news and only saw the aftermat coz was still recuperating from the surgery. It was really horrible and everyone being so traumatized. Watching the news was so painful. Ondoy devasting the city so overwhelming!!! The tragedy of one mother losing her son, because her son was so busy saving the lives of others sucuumed to his own death. Thank God your family survived Ondoy. God is good and he loves us all... [I God is pure love...
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10/5/2009 5:05 pm |
i have only this one life to live...a new leash, is a wake up, to find myself having more roles to portray and do, in support and with the rest of His creations... “I hold it true, whatever befall; I it, when I sorrow most.
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10/5/2009 7:46 pm |
tajane, what i know is i felt so relieved when i learned you're ok.. like what my mom often tells us ( her business survived 4 fires), " those are just material things.. as long as everyone is safe and healthy, all is well." God was with you, has been with you, and will always be with you tajane...      
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10/5/2009 8:41 pm |
while reading your story tajane, i still find myself holding back the tears. your strength of spirit have shone though it all and we thank the Lord you and your loved ones have been spared. definitely what you have lost the lord has asked you to let go  in exchange for greater things that are of value.[SIZE 2]this is me...my heart and my soul...[/SIZE]
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10/5/2009 9:48 pm |
theres nothing like a disaster to remind us time and again that family, friends and health are the most treasured wealth on earth the earthquake in baguio also taught us the same and i am always thankful everyday for family and friends and good samaritans good to know you and your family are safe god is good! i just hope that these reminders will be far in between 
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10/5/2009 10:01 pm |
your experience was really traumatizing.. but let's be thankful that you and family are safe.... everything will be ok again sis "Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”
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10/5/2009 10:40 pm |
ta jane ur nightmare was also experienced by my mom  and she's 73...can u imagine that???  i called her that midday, to ask how is she doing... and she's crying for help and i can't do anything  coz am about 2 kilometers away and the streets going there are unpassableeventually, she was evacuated by way of rope too  (with her bag full of medicines  ) ...and the water in their place (which is near a creek that overflowed) was way up high a 7 feet man's height...so anyways...it's true, this is a kinda wake up call... and a very traumatic one... the next day, when i can be able to check them all... (almost all my siblings lives in the basement of my mom's )and it's so miserable!!! but as smiley as i can be...i joked on them, to cheer them up! and tell them that...at least, everybody's ALIVE and can kick back again!  but of course, it's not that easy but with unity (which i always see within the family)...together will all stand to normal again and also all the houses in there were washed out...so figure that out so...ta jane, i am with u and the other affected ones in these tough times...i know how it was and i know u will be tough and strong too...despite the hypertension (just take ur pills always ok???) hugs a lot to u all and mind u, at this age...nothing will ever frighten us!!! (yah right!  ...nahayblad din kaya ako wahahaha !!!) i'm like a bird!
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10/5/2009 11:21 pm |
Sorry for the loss of your valuable possessions, but it is good to know your family is safe, it may take time but you'll soon be able to recover the loss. Remain steadfast!
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10/6/2009 5:57 am |
I am really grateful that we are saved from this harm. May this remind us to always appreciate and take care of everything that He has bestowed us. This tragedy taught us many lessons, and it’s up to us how we’re going to instill them in our hearts. Let us all pray for those who are still suffering from this calamity. Prayers material things and love are all they need to get over this agony and start a new chapter in their lives. Tajane just hold on. We were on the same boat and we survived coz we are the real SURVIVORS!
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10/6/2009 6:12 am |
. Glad you are okay now . Floods are very dangerous, and everyone is at risk during the situation you were all in. I am very thankful that you all are safe and alive. You can replace things in your life, but you can't replace your loved ones! I hope that over time you will get you house back in the condition that it once was in, and to go on living normal again. I can only imagine until now that you are still trying to clean up and get things back to normal. I hope that you will get everything cleaned up and can live normal again. I pray that you and your family won't see this again. Please let us know how everything is improving or how you all are doing your best by getting through this troubled times. Live Life to the Fullest! ***Me and YOU***
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10/7/2009 4:37 pm |
Good to see you're safe and alive taJane.    
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10/16/2009 3:52 pm |
im so sorry to hear this tajane. but im glad everybody was safe.
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