A Date With Regine, The National Library of the Philippinesand Typhoon Ondoy
The date is October 26, 2009 because of needed materials for my research I need tovisit the National Library in T.M. Kalaw Manila. I left Mabini around 4:30am in themorning,but the Ceres bus in Bolbok didn't leave the terminal till pass 6am. I arrived atBuendia quarter to eight. I manage to ride a jeepney going to Kalaw,this time the rainis not getting any better. I eat in Chowking a couple of blocks away from NLP, as Iwalked thru the rain, I asked the pedicab driver how far is the Library from my location,the guys said two more stop lights. Well the rain is getting heavier, so the logical thingto do is to ride the pedicab. I passed by the Manila Doctors Hospital and the CasinoFilipino/Pagcor,shortly I was in front of the Pambansang Aklatan ng Pilipinas. After asking the guard in the Information Desk the procedure, I proceed to the cashier topay for my registration, my ID# B394614. I went to the 3
rd
floor check on thecomputers for the different theses titles related to my study, I jot down three titles thenwent to the study room. Actually this trip is also a date, Regine intends to help mecopying things I needed for my literature. The original plan is that she will fetch meearly morning in LRT-Buendia but since she has to go to Insular first she is delayed tillaround 12:00. She somewhat got lost but manage to traced back to Kalaw,but aroundthat time its already flooded, as in heavily flooded the whole street. What an irony, twolovers separated by two stop lights, a heavy rain, and flood getting higher by theminute. I make the best of my time copying this I need,hurriedly. Then they announcedthat everybody now should go home because there is an advisory that all employeesshould go home now because of the flood. No choice pack up and go home,but mylove is still stranded on the other side of the street. We continually text and call eachother to analyze the situation on how we will see each other and eventually go homeearly. But the flood,WOW!! The big flood, go on with it. Assessing my conditiontemporarily took shelter in McDo (this is where I took these picture). Communicationbetween Gie and myself is okay, salamat Suncellular, but I really dont know how will Ireturn back to Buendia. I can't risk myself from the flood co'z I will damage my laptophuhuhu. I decided to transfer to the nest block, I took the center aisle of the street cozits higher there, again taking shelter this time in Jollibee. Ironically I don't feel hungryeating after going to this food chains. I'm worried about Regine, then she text me thatshe will go to my place, fearful on how she will manage to swim...este to walk inalready waist deep water. “Ingat mahal” I said to my text. Waiting as it slowly gettingdark, the rain is of no sign of stopping while the wind is going in all directions. What ahappy sight upon seeing Gie,all wet hehehe. She is with Phoebe a girl almost cryingasking her for a text as they both get stranded in the flood. Well we waited again, evenJollibee is now closed. We help this lady to call home, then after a few minutes her sundo arrived. Now what we gonna do?We decide to cross the waters, ready myself held my bag tight,Regine in front guiding me. We slowly walk along with many others.My shoe didnt make it, it shows a big smile...buka na. But it didnt stop us from justpaddled in the flood. We reached the LRT Station went up get tickets and rode back toBuendia. Arriving at Buendia, another flood same deep,well go go go!!! She help meagain cross to the Jam bus terminal,infront of a bus, and I guess many saw us, I
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