Pre-, Mid- and Post-Milenyo
Pre-Milenyo
Thursday morning. I’d been hearing news on the television about the cancellation of all classes in all levels including government agencies in Manila. I had second thoughts about going to school that morning but I was already dressed so I went to class anyway. During the class, one of my body “quirks” acted up again, my acid reflux. I even asked my seatmate if he had some antacids on him (I was desperate). And time flew quick that morning, I was on my way to buy a lot of antacids and some medicine for my nasal inflammation (vertigo-related crap). Power went out! I wasn’t going to attend my other classes later that day aside from my Project Management class. Winds were blowing quite hard that afternoon with some light showers and I was badly hoping for a class cancellation. I didn’t want to go to school while having my acid episodes. I was about to call the school when I found out that our analog phone was broken. I had my mom went to the neighbors 
to call the school but as she went out, I received an SMS from one of my classmates forwarding messages from our dean that said not to go to class that day.
Mid-Milenyo
Some strong howling winds still accompanied with sprinkles of rain. A few pots and pans and what-not tumbled on our neighbors and a few pieces of tin roof (not ours, thank goodness) flew on our backyard. Some screams also there and there and before 5PM, the typhoon was far gone and it became dead quiet.
Post-Milenyo
With no power and nothing to do, we were almost bored to death. I couldn’t sleep last night, I was waiting for the power to come back. Our house was filled with crappy music from the only music station on air that night. We even sent a “we-know-your-station-is-the-only-one-broadcasting-tonight-so- stop-playing-such-crappy-songs”. And a few minutes later, the “suckiness” stopped and we were listening to some nice tunes. Morning came, still no power. Noon came and I decided to go out and search for a socket to plug my phone charger in and find an internet cafe. I found out there was electricity on SBMA so I rushed to get ready and head out, avoiding numbing boredom. I said to myself I was going to watch a movie whatever they are screening this afternoon but I was on the jeep when my stomach started to “crumble” (the perfect timing) so I went back. Acute IBS. Weather was quite fair when I headed out but on my way back, heavy rain poured, and I do mean heavy. On my stop, I saw muddy waters rushing down the roads. With large bits of rocks and stuff. No one was at home at those times, we all went out and I knew by that time, flood is imminent. With all the days to forget my handy umbrella, I borrowed one from the beauty parlor I went for some roof and quickly phased myself home. Not minding the rising flood waters, I headed on. Location: home. Power is back up but only about 4 inches more and water would flood in on our house so I put on my house clothes quickly to return the umbrella. Along the way, I saw my mom carrying her sandals running down the street (and not using her umbrella) panicking. They all knew I will be out so she hurried back home to put some of our things in the house up or else water would get to them. Umbrella returned, I was back at our house and at the moment, everything was like clockwork. First was the computer tower, then the heavy display, the keyboard and others. Then the water went in. But the thing is, that was the first time I saw the water rise and recede that fast. It was probably all the water from the mountains that came rushing down our street and as the rain stopped, the flood followed.
And now with callused hands from cleaning the house dry, I just told you my pre-, mid- and post-Milenyo story.