Topper in Bacolod

[bsnub]

The eye is supposed to pass over us around 12-1 this evening.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the eye will pass south of Bacolod, but it looks like you will get a lashing. Stay safe and post as soon as you can after it passes. We will be thinking about you.

Google Maps

[Topper]

Thanks, it's getting a bit gusty out there.

[bsnub]

Thanks, it's getting a bit gusty out there.

I hope you got out to get some canned goods and supplies beforehand. This thing looks like a monster.

[Topper]

Well, the power is out and the internet speed is shit slow. We be on generator power, I wonder for how many hours?

[Topper]

It sounds like someone has an 1-1/2" fire hose about 10' away spraying on the house. Only no thunder and lightening like hurricanes. Just really high winds and tons of rain.

[malmomike77]

Rain ain't your enemy you know that, its wind and what it propels. Keep safe both of you.

[Saint Willy]

It sounds like someone has an 1-1/2" fire hose about 10' away spraying on the house. Only no thunder and lightening like hurricanes. Just really high winds and tons of rain.

And with lots of rain comes flooding.

[Hugh Cow]

Hope you have plenty of corn beef tins in the pantry. Stay safe.

[malmomike77]

Spam, spam is what Katie says the posh peeps eat.

[tomcat]

...water wings at the ready, Topper...

[katie23]

How's the storm there now, Topper? I hope everything is OK.

Just a bit of drizzle and wind here in South Luzon. Early mornings have been a bit dark and "cool" (if you consider 26 Celsius as cool temps, heh).

Re: the Christmas beggars, every year the kids in my parents' neighborhood go on carolling during early evenings. They go in groups, and it's the same batch of kids. They don't try my parents' house anymore because we only say "patawad" meaning, forgive us (for not giving to you). Then during Christmas Day, they don't sing songs anymore but go to your gate and say "Merry Christmas!" and it's expected that you give them something. The past years, I've bought candies/ sweets and just give one piece per kid. Some years, my family would leave the house and spend Christmas day at my sister's house and hide from the kids. LOL. We also hide from them during New Year's day. But, I keep a pack of candies at home, in case I see kids who I can't hide from.

If you live in a gated subdivision (mooban) and the guards are strict, they won't allow entry of kids for carolling, or the taho (soybean curd) and balut (duck egg) vendors, as well as the guys in tricycles collecting recyclable stuff.

I've been to a subdivision (developed by Ayala Land - a big corporation) wherein we had to pass by 3 guarded gates just to send our colleague home. Colleague's house was in an inner development (Phase 3, outer gates were for Phase 1 & 2). The colleague had to show her ID and homeowner's card. The driver of our vehicle had to leave his driver's license. In that subdivision, the housing association (HOA) was strict. They had rules regarding the height of the fence, what type of improvement was allowed, etc. It was a house & lot package - they bought a "shell" house. House was turned over to them only partially finished - no walls in the 2nd floor (it's up to the owner on how it will be divided) and no kitchen cabinets, etc. Since it was an exclusive, gated subdivision, security was great and they don't have theft.

[katie23]

Spam, spam is what Katie says the posh peeps eat.

Mike, if you send SPAM to me via Fed Ex, I'll accept it so that I'll feel posh. Get the Jalapeno or the low-sodium one, please.
SPAM is P180/ can, same as a kilo of fresh whole chicken. So yeah, it's posh.

Lovely SPAM, wonderful SPAM! (cue the Vikings)

[malmomike77]

^ Katie i shall arrange a parcel via Lulu my in country agent. Btw if you get approached by a short chap who immediately tries to chat you up in his Tour de France replica lycras you'll know its him.

[katie23]

^Mike, tell your agent to speed it up. Christmas is next week and the elves (and airports) are extremely busy!

*****

Just an aside, I've heard from the news here (in PH) that quarantine hotels are full. Christmas holidays are a big deal for Filipinos, and many OFWs as well as those who have families/ settled abroad are coming home this year, since they weren't able to visit last year due to covid. Now there's still covid, but most of the international arrivals have been vaccinated.

Foreign tourists are still NOT allowed to enter PH. Reopening to tourism has been postponed due to the Omicron variant. There were 2 cases of omicron variant reported, but were caught during quarantine (testing during 5th day). Travelers have to present a test before flight too - so people who initially test negative can still exhibit symptoms & test positive on the 5th day of quarantine.

*******

@topper - I don't know why it took long for the guy (Mr. Eaton of Eaton squad) to get his NBI clearance. Perhaps if you/ wife have time, go to your local NBI office and inquire how long the process takes. NBI office is usually within the compound of the city hall.

Edit: I've read somewhere that for the NBI clearance, you'll need two Philippine IDs (recent change). If this is true (and you don't have 2 IDs - I think you have the ACR card already) - you can apply for a Postal ID (at your local post office, but you'll need a photo & barangay clearance for that). You can also get a driver's license or the recent Philippine National ID (PhilSysID, online registration needed).

My mom & I will have our photo & biometrics capture appointment later this month at a local Robinsons mall. I used just my phone (and my email) to register for my mom & myself. Check your local SM or Robinsons malls if they have representatives for the PhilSysID (usually announced via tarpaulin).

[Saint Willy]

No news from Topper yet. Perhaps it's just his internet is down...

[Topper]

Thanks Katie!

We rode the storm out, the fallout is 2-3 days with no electricity. The entire city's power grid is out. Just went for a walk and I didn't see any lines down or damage. A family member had part of their roof blow off, but nothing serious so far.

We're lucky, we've got a generator for our building. I'm guessing the family will be over soon for showers and such.

[bsnub]

Good to know you made it through the storm.

[Topper]

Thanks, it had weakened by the time it arrived here.

[katie23]

It rained for around 3 hours here in the afternoon. Just a lot of rain, no wind. Whole day was gray & cloudy. I was worried a bit for the electricity, but thankfully the storm didn't affect the power here.

I've seen some vids of the devastation in some of the islands in Visayas. Cebu province is now in a state of calamity, as declared recently by its governor, Gov. Gwen Garcia. I hope the affected folks get the help they need.

@topper - glad that you & yours are OK.

[malmomike77]

Cebu province is now in a state of calamity,

Pray for Lulu, at least he's got pies to fall back on. Must be putting tomorrows pie for lunch in the oven now.

[Topper]

LOL, the generator here has bitten the big one. We did get 24 hours out of it before it overheated. Apparently they use just water in the radiator rather than an actual coolant fluid.

[katie23]

Topper, I've read that some gas stations offer free charging of phones. Check also if the malls offer them. Last time that there was prolonged brownout due to typhoon, our SM mall offered free charging & wifi.

I hope everything is OK with you & the extended family. I've seen in the news that Siargao & Camiguin islands were badly hit. Some areas in Siargao are flooded.

Cebu International Airport is closed indefinitely, since Cebu was also terribly affected. The closure has caused disruption to many flights (busy Christmas season).

I hope this typhoon is the last one for the year!

[Saint Willy]

LOL, the generator here has bitten the big one. We did get 24 hours out of it before it overheated. Apparently they use just water in the radiator rather than an actual coolant fluid.

Gotta laugh, eh? They probably saved 10 pesos

[katie23]

Many areas are now without electricity and/or cellphone-internet signal. The reports are mainly in English. For those in Tagalog/ Taglish, there are English subtitles.



Some loss of life & damage to properties too.

[katie23]

So avoid phills xmas, nepal and india holli and thailand in songkran

Yup. It's a nightmare to travel locally in PH during Christmas season, if you will use ferries and buses. Airports are full too (of returning Filipinos & their families). Ooh, also avoid the Holy Week (pre-Easter). Same situation.

Avoid also mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, etc during Chinese (Lunar) New Year. Unless you're the type who wants busy-ness, chaos and high season!