The typhoon shifted southwards, making Metro Manila less of a direct hit while the center will miss my province. But of course the wind shear is still going to be there and the voluminous rainfall. Power will be gone probably for a few hours but it’s not going to be that destructive (keeping my fingers crossed).

Meanwhile, southern China is recovering from the most powerful typhoons on earth this year. Ragasa, (means “raging” or “sudden quickening of movement” in Tagalog) the name that the Philippines contributed to the international list of typhoons in Western North Pacific and South China Sea areas. Very apt name.

Considering the chances of landslides in Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong province is lower compared to Taiwan and Philippines, I don’t think casualties would not be that high. However, damage to infrastructure could be worse.

I miss the full force news network of ABS-CBN because they had provincial bureaus that constantly keep news local and put the spotlight on disasters in the provinces. Only a handful of media outlets are reporting about northern Luzon, especially Batanes, which was in the eye of the typhoon, after Ragasa has passed. Northern Luzon is still without power and without the spotlight on them, the restoration will be slower. That’s how it is.

Because of the Manila-centric media landscape in the Philippines, news has been concentrating on Tropical Storm (less powerful than a typhoon) Opong, which will graze Metro Manila since it will cross Mindoro then on to northern Palawan. Very low reports on plea for relief and reconstruction in northern Luzon.

So why am I typing away at my keyboard this early? I need to work while there is power, plus I need to have my blood tests done after fasting for 9 hours. I will see my endocrinologist tomorrow.