This is an actual text conversation I had with a friend, Jen (not her real name) last June 25, four days after typhoon Frank ravaged Iloilo. She has five kids, the oldest of whom is only high school level and the youngest is a toddler. They live in Providence Subdivision in Pavia, Iloilo. One of the towns hardest hit by the flash floods brought by Typhoon Frank/Fengshen.

Me: Jen, I saw on TV the extent of damage to Iloilo. I hope all is well with you and your family. Good thing for us in Oton we were spared. I heard Pavia was badly hit. Ginbaha man kamo sa Providence?

Yup, but we are ok na. Good thing we have few things lang sa temporary house ginpasaka sa second floor. Cars didto sa other house sa back la nasakaan. Guba dike sa Pavia , diretso ang tubig sa Providence. Good thing gin guba perimeter wall kagwa flood.

Me: Terible gid ang extent sang pagbaha. Mga officemates ko sa Jaro asta kisame ang baha. Ang tubig outside SM City was 6 ft. Pati San Miguel ginbaha man.

Gani grabe gid. Heard from our panday, sa Ungka sila, tag 8 ft. Us till table sang 12 noon then 6pm la na. Dasig man nag subside. Mayo lang gin guba ang wall or else daw aquarium gid kami.

Me: Kanday Jessica (another friend, also not her real name) sa Jaro up to her chest and tubig. Mayo lang may second floor sila. She said it was terrifying looking at people swimming for safety.

Scary gid ya. Ten namon ka panday nag report pa para maka vale. May burial pa sila younger sis nila dead, rheumatic heart. Ti galutaw ang coffin. Sa isa ka long kawayan six sila. Nag biring pa tiil sang isa, lapit na ma drown. Survive man. Report pa sila work. Damo mising kids sa ila dampi.

Me: How are the kids? Must have been very traumatic for them.

While on the loft, we don’t know when ma stop saka tubig. Was thinking mga floaty objects ma hold sang mga kids. Then hungry na sila, good thing may bahaw na rice. They put soy sauce na lang.

Me: Was your husband with you? Kay kun ako guro nga wala ko upod nag panic na ko.

Ay mayo lang ara sya. Actually sila nagtumba perimeter wall where the current is going and also help other families. Amo na la man kami nag evacuate. Iban gin kulbaan nag gwa subdivision leaving their things pero grabe man baha sa gwa. La man kadtuan. Mayo gid kagwa flood. Gosh! Gina watch ko news, didn’t thought would experience it.