rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Jerry --- Inasmuch as this reply is not involving the subject of the original post, I am creating a new subject to answer you.

There was a magnitude 7.7 quake in Baguio in 1990, but nothing of any consequence since. There apparently was a fair amount of destruction, not just because of the severity, but because of lack of preparation in building construction. Since that time, as I understand from a building engineer member of our church, building codes have been upgraded significantly. I still would not live in a structure built on the side of a hill, though - as those hanging out in space in the Hollywood hills!!! Nor would I live next to the Pacific along the Malibu area!!! I'm not afraid of anything (fear is only lack of understanding), but that doesn't mean being stupid and/or taking unwarranted chances!!!

There are no active volcanoes near Baguio, but there is one just south of Manila - Taal volcano (on an island within Luzon) - which has a mild eruption frequently, causing the evacuation of maybe 40,000 people. There are others elsewhere in the islands, but nothing devastating in recent years, as far as I am aware.

Typhoons are another matter - there are 20-some every year, occurring throughout the island chain. The cleanup from major destruction caused by the most recent is still under way. It was a considerable distance from us, striking Leyte, Negros and parts of Mindanao. We have not yet been able to contact my wife's relatives (grandparents, sisters and brother) who live in the Bais province in Negros Oriental, in the direct path of the typhoon. Her aunt's mother's house in Leyte was next to the ocean, and is no more, per my wife’s uncle! No contact yet with her aunt. There are reports of some cities in Mindanao being totally wiped out - 100% devastation. Food and water are critical for many, as they normally barely get by on a day to day basis in good times; power and water supply out for who knows how long - in some remote areas it could be weeks!

My wife was visiting her aunt (in Sogod, Leyte) just a week prior to the typhoon (which originally was categorized as a tropical storm), but for other reasons than the storm she decided to come home. Who knows where she could be had she stayed! The areas in which she was scheduled to visit for several weeks were in those most hard hit!!!

We have had one typhoon pass directly over us in the 6 years I've lived here in the Philippines, all in Baguio. Baguio is at a 5,000-foot elevation, pretty much centered from the oceans on both sides of the island of Luzon, so while we certainly can get copious quantities of rain, and some very high winds, the potential for the devastation occurring in other places is not nearly as great. We live in an area which is about as safe as it gets, and have not had to worry about floods or landslides in our immediate area, though there have been roads washed out due to landslides not too far away. That occurs very seldom, though. We did have nearly 50 inches of rain here in a week, at the time of the referenced typhoon. The only real problem is having to get places by taxi, as I can't afford a car, and I won't ride the Honda in the rain. We do keep an ample supply of everything, just in case, so that's not a real problem.

We have occasional power outages, both planned and unplanned, but they usually are short - no longer than a day, and only once a bit over 24 hours. I have purchased emergency lighting, our refrigerator is well-insulated and we cook with propane. We need no heating or air conditioning because regardless of the ambient temperature, the temperature in our apartment always is 74 plus or minus a degree! I attribute that to the fact that our building (40 condos in two stories) is built into the side of a hill, and we are on the lower floor (thus quite well insulated).

Incidentally, Baguio is the only place in the Philippines I could live, because of temperature and humidity (and I prefer the mountains). It's a very pretty area, and a well-run city, though cost of living is higher than in the more remote areas or less desirable cities. Normal population is about 400,000, but that swells to a reported 1,000,000 on holidays, as people want to escape from the lowlands! It can get quite busy, but traffic still is nowhere near as bad as in the Manila area (especially Makati) and Cebu. One time, I had to go to the US Embassy (in Makati) from the hotel in which I was staying (in Pasay), a straight shot of about 3 miles; by taxi it took 3 hours - I could have walked it in one (except for the heat, of course)!

I trust this is a moderately comprehensive answer covering some of the conditions of our life in the Philippines. When I get around to it!, I intend to post some pictures.

Loren – in Beautiful Baguio City

Lonnie77 Loc: Kennedale, Texas

I have been to Baguio twice and it is great scenery, great people and traffic. But it's the Philippines there's always traffic.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Update on the typhoon situation ---

My wife finally was able to speak with her cousin in Dumaguete this afternoon, and all the relatives in Negros are OK. She did not know the extent of structural damage, if any, however, and hopefully the grandparents’ rice crop (about ready to harvest) has not been washed away! The cousin got her information from a relative who traveled from the province in Bais to Dumaguete by a circuitous route, because the direct road was closed. Not knowing the situation previously was doubly concerning for my wife, as her grandmother, while only about 60, has had some serious health problems recently. She was able to go to church yesterday, however, so the worry was mitigated somewhat.

With respect to the situation in Leyte and Mindanao, all relatives are accounted for and well. My wife’s aunt’s house in Sogod was spared, but the aunt’s mother’s house in the same area was completely demolished by the tidal surge, being only 30 or 40 meters from the ocean – the first time for any such problem as long as she has owned the property (from around the time the aunt and uncle were born – 35 and 40 years ago!). The house just had been completely renovated, with new appliances and all! She lost absolutely everything, including her completely stocked Sari-Sari store – her livelihood.

The pictures of some of the area show hardly anything recognizable as part of a house! But again, all the family are safe!

Loren – in Beautiful Baguio City