The Enemy, Pedring

2000, Tuesday, 27 September

BSA Tower Residence, Makati

            I made this journal earlier than the time I regularly wrote things that happened because I have nothing to do.

            I was awakened by a cold damp in my feet. I thought I urinated but it was the strong gust of wind that brought drops of rain inside through the window. This morning, we have our plated breakfast in the hotel, and after some time of grooming ourselves we left. Our mission for this day is at the Supreme Court but upon arriving there, we were frustrated by the fact that the Supreme Court was closed and we could see heel-high water, flooding around the vicinity. Typhoon Pedring, the reported spoiler of the day, already casted its ravaging spell. Left without choice, Commander de Pio commanded us to brace ourselves for we will reroute and change our course. We will go to Robinsons which is just a walking distance from our situated place. At that time, a traffic jam is taking place, and so we are told to go down and walk the path going to Robinsons. Most of us wore shoes and denim pants. I ponder on how to tread the water without getting my shoes wet. I ponder until I noticed that we are a few left inside. At that instance, I suddenly remembered that I have slippers left at the side compartment of the bus, and so, I praise God for that. I was able to walk on the deluged path without getting my shoes wet.

            The Robinsons at that time is almost full of people – regular shoppers or agrounded individuals. Upon arriving there, we go directly at Cabalen’s Restaurant, Eat all you can. After that we are permitted to wander but with the condition that we should be back at 4 in the afternoon for the bus will arrive. Jeremy and I saunter around bookstores. First, we go at the National Bookstores and then at Booksales. We stayed their reading books and before 4pm we proceeded buying some groceries. When we got back to our meeting place, we are told to wait the others and when we’re completed, we left Robinsons. The vehement raining weakened but the strong outburst of the wind continued.

            We walked for about 25 minutes and when we finally get inside the bus, I rest. I kept bowing inside the bus for I can’t bear fighting the drowsiness I felt. I felt sucked up because of the terrible paroxysm of the storm. When we arrived at the BSA Tower, we are tasked to res for a while for we will be going to Greenbelt to have our dinner there.

            Presently, I’m full and I decided to roam around later to avoid dissolution. This is our last night in Manila. Although this day was spoiled (courtesy of Pedring of course), still, the fact that some experiences have brought happiness in my heart will be the cherished memories that we will reminisce as long as I live. Bonne nuit!