Typhoon Falcon the day after (here in Industrial Valley, Marikina)

I took these pictures at 11am this Saturday morning. Look at all that stuff that caught on to the rails. In this picture, you can see how strong the current is. I spoke to one Navy frogman and he said the best way to swim in this kind of water is to go forward along with the flow while trying to go in the direction you want. To swim against the tide is futile.

There were a couple of television crews in the area -- ABC5 and ABS CBN. As of 3pm today they were still on site for any changes in the weather. As of 10pm last night the waters had overflowed into the nearby areas but not as alarming as it way during Typhoon Ondoy. But the roads were caked in mud.

One of the landmarks of Marikina Riverbanks are these statues of carabaos heading to the water. No need now. The water went to them. And you can see the trash all over them. Click to enlarge the pics.

Some of the nearby factories put up sandbags and stuff to try and keep the waters out. During Ondoy, the water was as high as the gate. The water was brown and black in some places. Pretty frightening.

Typhoon Falcon and its effects on the Marikina River

Since the rains began falling I've been rather uneasy. It brought back all the unpleasant memories of Typhoon Ondoy. When I got home today, I went to the Marikina River which is nearby to take a look at the water levels. As of 6pm, it has spilled over onto the road. If it goes up by two more feet according to local authorities, they'll sound the siren for evacuation of the low-lying residential areas. The frightening part is that it's almost nighttime and the rains have not let up.

Those cluster of buildings is at the Eastwood area. You can see that the higher floors are obscured by clouds. Kind of frightening. I thought I'd see military units or emergency services stationed in the area already. As of 6pm Friday night. Nada.

Because of the flooding, it has left vehicles not much road to pass through lest they be swept into the raging river. I stood next to the river and there's this frightening gurgling sound as it its sucking in everything in sight. 

In the Industrial Valley Barangay Hall, they've got this one raft to rescue people. I wonder how this can navigate the strong current without even an engine to propel it forward. It is considered critical level when the water reaches 17 feet. Right now it's at 15 feet.

The riverbanks have been lined with people watching out for more danger signs. I stayed beside the riverbanks myself and the water lapped at my feet. Got that eerie feeling. 

I need you so much closer (and other songs)

I was chatting with good friend Pat Ozaeta today who saw my status on YM playing Death Cab for Cutie songs from Transatlanticism.  He asked if I was playing “Tiny Vessels” and on cue a few seconds later, the song came on (my iTunes is playing it in album order).

I only became a big fan of the band when that album, their fourth, came out. I recall it being heavily promoted in Virgin Records in Times Square where I worked at that time. One day, I played it while working the DJ booth and I along with a few others fell in love with the music. A few came up to ask what album was that and I showed them the cover. The scurried away to buy the disc.

One time I saw them play at Coney Island and since the album was brand new, most people had not memorized the lyrics. The place was packed with people yet I have never seen a crowd so quiet except between songs when we all applauded. It was like everyone was digesting the lyrics and soaking in Ben Gibbard’s voice. Now Coney Island is next to the Atlantic Ocean and the synchronicity was not lost on me. Never more so when they sang the song “Transatlanticism.” We were in like trance-like mode as the waves crashed on the Brooklyn shore.

When Gibbard sang the lines, “So c’moooonnn. C’mooonn.” We all joined in creating a powerful moment. It was like a communion with the band. And that hour watching, listening, and singing along to Death Cab for Cutie remains a powerful and memorable memory.