November 8, 2013
hours not recorded
TACLOBAN CITY, PHILIPPINES

We suddenly heard rattling sounds from upstairs and we rushed there and saw half of the roof dancing with the strong wind. Rubbish flew from outside rummaging everything in the house.

"Kunin n'yo mga gamit n'yo! Lilikas tayo!" Dad screamed pushing to move quickly.

"Sa'n tayo pupunta? 'Di ba sira na nga daw ang evacuation center?" Mom asks worriedly still holding the rosary on her chest.

"Bab'yahe tayo basta hindi dito. Masisira ang bahay na ito. Bilis! Bilis!" We grabbed our bags and went straight to the front door but this time to our disbelief, we were locked from inside!

"Tulungan mo ko dito, Juan!" Dad called my brother and the both of them started pushing the door intensely.

I peeked at the windows but it was pitch black for something was completely blocking all the screens. I looked behind and there was water flowing to the stairs. The strong wind and raging typhoon increased roaring rapidly.

"'Nay..." I held on my mom's arms watching everything that was happening.

Fear was filling my body and my knees were shaking non-stop.

"Magdasal ka lang, anak. Hindi tayo pababayaan ng Diyos." Mom whispered but her voice wavered.

I turned back to my brother and dad when they finally broke the front door but our eyes widened when we figured out that one of the coconut trees got uprooted and was blocking the way.

"Kaya ba nating sumingit?" Juan asks our parents.

Dad exhaled and tried climbing the small available gap between the tree and the front door. He slip with the continuous flow of the water and fell to the floor.

"Pare, hihilahin namin dito sa labas, itulak n'yo d'yan!" We heard a barangay official volunteering help with three more with him.

We agreed and started pushing even though we started getting soaking wet. With enough space, the barangay officials aided each of my family members out of the house. I held to my raincoat tight.

"Salamat, pare!"

"Ayos lang. Dumeretso kayo dun sa evacuation sa kabilang kanto!"

We nodded and we started running towards the direction he mentioned. Everything was blurry and every drop of the rain was heavy on me and I think everyone felt the same way.

I heard a load of crackling noises and then in a distance was a car moving on it's own and hitting one of the shops.

My feet also felt continuous flow of water and my eyes wavered when there was a quick flow of water that started to go higher.

"Bilisan n'yo!" My thougths were cut short as my legs started to strain with the strong force.

"Aray!" Juan screeched loudly and dad ran to him.

"Anong problema?"

"'Tay may tumama sa paa ko!"

I did my best and jogged to him and saw blood oozing from his legs. Dad and mom went to both Juan's side and helped him. I carried his bag and him and simply going to the next street proved to be a complicated thing to even do.

Please keep everyone safe!

Please...

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