Typhoon Lands

About 12 hours ago, slightly weakened Typhoon Parma (local name: Pepeng) was located at about 360 km NE of Manila, moving 315° at 7 knots (13 kph), in the general direction of Isabela province Saturday (image 1).  A multispectral satellite image obtained now shows the further weakened typhoon accelerating to 22 knots (41 kph) moving NW, located just east of Isabela (image 2, both from NMFC/JTWC).  It's obvious by now that typhoon Ketsana's (Ondoy) fury will not be repeated in Metro Manila, and other nearby provinces.  Brace yourselves, people from Isabela, Cagayan and other adjacent provinces. Incidentally, one knot (nautical miles per hour) is equal to exactly 1.852 kph.

Kudos to members of the Police (PNP) and Armed Forces (AFP) as they are rarely mentioned in the media, nevertheless they are the unsung heroes.  While many others are also giving relief and assitance, they are really the frontliners; before politicians and actors come, they have already cleared the way.  For responding to the call for help from our countrymen in dire need, I also pat the backs of many folks.  The work is not over (may continue indefinetely) but it's okay to pause and think about this once in a while.  To all: keep up the good work!  To our very much affected people: keep the faith, keep the hope, things may become worse before it becomes better. May God be with you and all!

On a related note, some sort of order must be implemented in the relief areas.  Relief giving should be an art: there's a minimal structure that should be there before distribution is allowed.  A few unruly people must not cause anarchy; people can't kill just to get aid!  In crisis or not, discipline must be maintained.  The elderly and children can't fight it out against these rouges.

"One great form of wealth is kindness. It does not diminish no matter how much you give. It increases the more it is shared."