What prayer hath wrought

Skeptics may laugh at this, but I do believe that the fervent prayers of both Bacoleños and Negrenses had pre-empted “Pablo’s” plans to hit our areas yesterday. As of this writing, weather reports have indicated that the fury of the Superstorm had passed by and probably heading away from our country. Still, let us go on praying that none of our province and cities are affected, while giving thanks that we were spared.

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As we express gratitude, we should also manifest our appreciation to our officials who have done everything they could to make us disaster-ready, by putting together all the things expected to be necessary in the event that the storm did hit us. It was really comforting to know that we were not likely to be caught unprepared. It is saddening to know, though, that, despite the warnings and preparations, some 50 victims have, so far, been reported in some areas of the Visayas and Mindanao. Let us hope the number has not increased since the last reports came in.

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Yesterday, at about 4 p.m., we drove through the portion of Lacson Street in Bacolod leading to the areas of the big malls like Robinsons and Lopue’s and were both amused and surprised to see many structures looking like skeletons on top of buildings or on their own stands. These were the frameworks of huge billboards that had been stripped of their tarpaulins advertising various products and services. That was a very good move, because those wide sheets would have been slammed by strong winds and caused their steel frameworks to topple on the highways, causing unimaginable damage to both vehicles and pedestrians.

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The storm warnings, however, did bring some kind of benefit. At least traffic was not so bad, and driving through the highways and even side streets was a cinch. People seemed to have stayed home, and with schoolchildren sent home, too, families must have found some bonding time they seldom get to have. Both elementary and high school students had classes cancelled, you see. Well, that proves again the truth of the saying, “It’s an ill wind that blows no good”. And, while we are in a quoting mood, let us also acknowledge that, indeed, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”.

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Yesterday, I saw President Aquino being interviewed on the British Broadcasting Corporation about Typhoon Pablo, and scenes from evacuation centers, as well as of rescue operations going on were also shown on the internationally viewed TV outfit. What was disturbing was that the news kept referring to the typhoon as “Bopha” which is actually its international name. I hope Filipinos watching that program from abroad do not get confused when they hear from their relatives here that we are being besieged by Typhoon “Pablo”. They might think there are two typhoons slamming us.

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That is why I continue to be puzzled as to why our own weather bureau people keep insisting on adopting a different name for the typhoons or storms that hit our country. Why can we not adopt the same nomenclature for something that is of international interest? I’m afraid I have never ever heard of an explanation about this. The world is said to be getting smaller, so we must learn to be attuned. By the way, what about other Asian countries, do they give their own names to the weather disturbances that hit this region, I mean the ASEAN, at least?

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On the lighter side, yesterday, also, national TV showed the arrival of the country’s bet for the Miss Universe contest in Las Vegas, Nevada. The candidate, Janine Togonon, seemed very impressed at getting to the Sin City, and I hope she tries not to appear too “promdi” as she goes on. Just between us girls, I think we have had prettier candidates, but who knows? Even if Janine has a mouth a little too wide, she might fascinate the judges, anyway. Remember our first Miss Universe, she had buck teeth, but she made it.

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Oh what a fuss the supposedly staid Britons are making about the news that Prince William’s wife, the beautiful former Kate Middletown and now the Duchess of Cambridge, has been declared positive for pregnancy and an addition to the royal family is expected. People interviewed on the streets seem as ecstatic as if they were kin of the Prince. Isn’t it ironic? While the Brits are rejoicing over a coming birth, our country is confronted with the decision on whether to control or prevent births with a very controversial bill pending in Congress.*

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