Millenium

We've got stars directing our fate (ooh ooh)
And we're praying it's not too late
'Cos we know we're falling from grace (ooh ooh)
Millennium

-"Millenium", Robbie Williams

There I was waking at about 6:35, opened the television just to hear that work was suspended that day. I was about to sleep again when I remembered I have to assist the Danish Ambassador on his visit to the DFA that stormy morning. Suddenly calls and text messages flooded my phone. I decided I have to go to work after all. As soon as I got to the office, I’m on the phone, canceling events. We just cancelled about three events before typhoon “MILENYO” makes a landfall.

I got back from the office to my flat at about 11:00 am. I was asked by my flat mate to accompany him to the movies since there was no work that day and there’s no electricity. Just before we arrived at the Robinson’s Place Ermita, we heard shattering glasses, a lamppost breaking. I see iron flying everywhere and trees uprooted along Roxas Boulevard. The tides of Manila Bay swept the Baywalk area that almost overturned the kiosks. Hundreds were stranded on the streets waiting for their ride home. This is not a typical typhoon after all.

When we reached the mall, we were ready to queue up for the movies when an announcement was made. “ Attention dear shoppers, due to the inclement weather conditions, we are now limiting our store hours, we hope to see you tomorrow and have a safe trip home”. Crap! Now we have to go home just when the eye of the storm hits Manila. We had coffee at Mabini and surprised to see that L.A. Café and Amazonia Bar in Malate is open! (24 hours it says). It is packed with foreigners and bargirls inside, while slivers of glass were scattered outside.

I believe that the safest place to be during a calamity is a mall. It has food, entertainment, air-conditioning but in this case the malls are all closing. Credit cards and atms are out of service. We cannot even call because the phone lines and cell phones are busted. When I arrived at my flat that night I just wished that I’m in Bulacan watching DVD.

I remembered the Y2K scare before the year 2000. I imagined the same thing the day after Milenyo struck. Back to basics, no phones, no electricity, no Internet, no water, no McDonald’s, no transportation, no malls. Just candles and battery operated appliances. It seems like we’ve been hit by a tsunami.