By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo

 

FALCON had been merciful, it danced past the Philippines and may tango into a super typhoon somewhere else. Together with the Habagat (southwest monsoon), it continued to dump rain, and exacerbated the impact of Egay, the fifth of the predicted 29 named storms to hit the country.

As of August 03, partial reports of the damage of Egay listed 27 dead, 289 persons displaced, 3B in agricultural damage, 7B in damaged roads and bridges and 200 areas in a state of calamity. In Pangasinan, it transformed several areas into a water world, where literally, bancas and makeshift transport vehicles waded with buses and jeepneys in major streets in the municipality of Calasiao and the City of Dagupan. One was spotted riding a horse, reminding me of Zorro, traversing a river. It is a comedic version of the floating city of Venice, one of the most extraordinary cities in the world built in Northern Italy.

The worst is yet to come as Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) issued its first forecast for 2023: 29 named storms, 19 typhoons and 13 intense typhoons until October. We are expecting Goring, with hopes that it will pirouette away from the country with mercy and grace.

 

Falcon Moon

in the evening sky, a diamond
a rock, from which I draw words
radiating through dark clouds
unmindful of the looming threat
come, it says, fling your gusty winds
test the will of the brave
and those desiring to be free
against all odds
against all wrath
against all love

 

After the rain

in the hands of the clouds
freedom, fleeting
momentary joy
to fly
sing
breathe
perch on a tree
eat worms, berries
gather whispers, from the soil
still wet with the passion
and caress of the rain
echo hope, to insects
comfort birds whose nests
perished in the wrath
of the wind
to touch, once again
and kiss, a flower..

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