The Unweatherly Report…

June 22, Sunday, 2:30 am

My parents and I are in deep slumber when we had noticed the sound of the howling wind outside. Anong meron???

Who would have known that the eye of the storm, Frank, has landed in Manila that early morning. There was no rain, but the wind was so strong we felt that it would skin our roof bare. No joke! We kept our fingers crossed as we listened to our rusty roof squeaking in the battering wind.

We woke up around 7am and learned from the news that Manila is under signal no.3. The highest storm alert level given by the country’s weather agency PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) (In Tagalog: Pangasiwaang Pilipino sa Palingkurang Atmosperiko, Heopisikal at Astronomiko – Now that’s a trivia bit!)

News regarding the onslaught of Frank in Iloilo and the Visayan region was reported since yesterday. However, the rage of the storm arriving at the doorstep of Manila… well, that was not highlighted in the news! The hell! Yesterday, it was a sunny hot afternoon and my neighbor even had a videoke set up outside their house to have a birthday bash! Who would expect that the eye of the storm will be arriving at the holiest hour of sleep the next morning!

Misinformation and confusion regarding the status of weather in the Philippines has long been a pain in the neck. Not to mention, the finger pointing of mayors and government agencies as to who will announce the suspension of classes and work in offices. Seems like people are already used to the pathetic ritual of going to work/school in the morning, bravely facing the hard rain, and moments later when flood has already risen up to your armpits, they will request you to return home (for your own safety).

Storms are inevitable. To ensure safety of the public, the only way is to be prepared for the said calamity ahead of time. So, you tune over the radio or TV. Just pray that the supply of electricity will not be cut off from your place. You can also check the internet for a real time update.

When I checked PAGASA website http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ , this is what flashed before my eyes…

Wow! Very accessible.

After several more attempts and summoning what is left of my patience, the site had finally loaded.

My main concern was to learn about flooded areas in Manila, so I clicked the Flood Forecast tab of the site. Lo and behold!!!

Okeeeyyyy…. So seeking wisdom from PAGASA’s website is not such a good idea. I will stick to FM radio powered by 9 gigantic size D batteries. How reliable!

I believe PAGASA is equipped with the right gadgets to monitor and forecast weather situations. The sad problem lies on information dissemination. The media should be more aggressive in updating the public of the status of weather. Our steadfastness and readiness to face natural calamities should already be innate in us, the Philippines being a country of having an average of 30 storms a year.

Where is hope in PAGASA?

-o0o-

Have an extra drizzle of this unweatherly report from the wisdom of a cow.

Top 5 Pocket-drainers…

Seems like our daily financial budget for things becomes leaner and leaner.

And indeed when it rains, it pours! Notice those times when your budget is already stretched to the limit, more concerns that needs you to spend just pop up.   Like the increase of every available service in the Philippines for example. And you have no choice but to further stretch your already measly income. Your skills of budgeting and saving and making containers of baby powder as piggy banks are being put to the acid test. There are also times that the only thing left in your purse is your exact fare for that jeepney ride home. Truly, these are trying times.

Here are the top 5 things that drains the purse of the everyday Pinoy worker.

1. Transportation fare -  My earliest remembrance of the minimum jeepney fare was PhP 1.50. That time, I can still afford to pay for my companion’s fare when we are commuting. At present, it has soared to PhP 8.00. Sa tingen mo ba makakapanlibre ka pa?  Tricycle fare is at present PhP 6.00. FX operators have  increased all its original fares  by PhP 5.00. Hmmm… Perhaps walkaton will be the next big sport.

For those who have the wheels… When was the last time you had your tank full? Gahd! Even the gas tank experiences a diet.

2. Food -  Cheapest rice to date = PhP 18.50 per kilo. This is NFA rice with the quality of which, they say, is comparable to animal feed.  Rice satisfactory to the human senses = PhP 35.00 per kilo. Which will you consider when buying rice? A. The palate  B. Rumbling stomach C. Rumbling stomach while waiting in loooooong lines to get rice.  D.  Rumbling stomach while waiting in line to get rice with your already lean purse. F. All of the above. G. Wala sa mga nabanggit.

For those who often eat out… Expect a PhP 5.00 to PhP 15.00 increase in your daily canteen/cafeteria/fast food meal. Now that’s motivation to start that long-planned diet.

For those who attempt to do the groceries….  I wonder if you will be able to fill one grocery cart with  PhP 1000 cash to spend.  Hmmm… wag na lang tayo mag-cart.

3. Meralco – I do not blame Juday for justifying system loss being part of every Filipino’s electricity bill. Since she is a showbiz celeb na tumatabo ng milyon milyon sa takilya, I bet if she had ever experienced disconnection because she missed paying the bill.  And I wonder if she is ever affected with the soaring prices of rice, groceries, and the sardines which she endorses.

4. Medicine – Being sick nowadays is already considered a sin.  As one commercial stresses, “Bawal magkasakit.”  It is so darn true.  I feel for those families who are required to allot a big chunk of their budget to manage a medical condition. What is sad is that medicine cannot be compromised.  Sometimes the cheaper generic version is hard to find, or worse, unavailable in the market.

5. Cellphone Load/Bill – I use prepaid card to feed the diet of my ravenous cellphone. Cellphone communication is a given necessity. With my husband presently working overseas, need I say more

Seems like the fact of skyrocketing commodities and services will be here to stay and we should start to learn to cope with it.  The list is painful and inevitable.  Anything more to add to this pocket-draining list?

Reading the SIGNS part 2

Thanks to http://www.engrish.com for these funny funny pics featuring out-of-this-world english translations.

Gahd, I am telling you I spent half a day just laughing my head off at these pics. Definitely a stress reliever!

Ingat!

Finish this fast!

Very harsh!

This is perhaps the most morbid sign I’ve seen. Beware cyclist!

Thank you for open!

Guess where this is applied…

And if you are dead, please call funeral services.

Please check out their site for a truly enjoyable experience!

Reading the SIGNS… (Warning: May Cause Nose Bleed)

Iba’t ibang signs:

Bawal omehi dito. Ang maholi bog bog tsaka molta P1000.

Don’t Parking

Wanted Boy Waitress

Ponkan : 5 pesos per each

Sweat Corn. May luto

Ukay-ukay. More on the 2nd floor (upstairs)

Sorry we’re close. Lunch brake.

No urinating over the walls

Tsk tsk…nus bled ito!!!

Yummy Japanese Lunchboxes…

Would you believe these are all EDIBLE??? Gahd… what a masterpiece! I wanna gobble them all up. Thanks to my friend who had emailed me this. SUMPTUOUS! Pass me the wasabi please…

For more feast for the eyes, I recommend the blog http://omgowned.wordpress.com/2008/05/25/what-happened-to-the-food/