A Triathlon Hosted by Ondoy

September 26, 2009, 9:00 am: I left my house with my two sets of formal wear, one set of casual wear, two pairs of shoes and 150 freaking pieces of CDs. And oh, I have my umbrella which, apparently, has no match to Ondoy’s screaming power. I rode a bus bound for Lawton but before it reached Sucat, SLEX (South Luzon Express Way) was no longer passable. Most cars flunked due to flood. Heavy traffic was worse than that brought by the Skyway Stage 2 construction.

Manong driver told everyone that the bus won’t go to its destination anymore: road was not passable from Sucat to Buendia. What the bus did was to return to Alabang. But hey, flood prevented even the gargantuan public utility vehicle from doing its retreat. I had my very own triathlon (Rain, Wind and Flood) just to reach Alabang. Oh, have I mentioned I was carrying my two sets of formal wear, one set of casual wear, two pairs of shoes and 150 freaking pieces of CDs?

No jeepney was available from Alabang. I waited amidst Rain, Wind and Flood (I thought this triathlon tournament was over). Wind was so strong; my 600 peso umbrella can’t withstand it. What I did was to close it, wore my hoody and just let the rain make we wet. I called my dad to fetch me but he said he can’t. I ended the call with my three-month old mobile phone asking me to dry him.

I waited.

There came the jeepney where 50 people are killing each other for a slot. I got one, hah. I came home with all of my clothes wet (yes, even my underwear). I changed clothes, ate mom’s Kare-kare and texted my close friends if they are fine.

I know more people experienced a worse situation. I thank God for the relatively small challenge he gave me (The Triathlon was actually fun) and I pray for those who are in a dire situation.

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Take care everyone!