09/11/2025
Unexpected encounter
The entire Saturday, I was paralyzed by worry because of the approaching super typhoon. The feeling was so overwhelming that I could not do anything I had planned.
As someone who grew up in Obando, I am already used to flooding. We even experience it during the dry season. However, this time, the fear was different. Maybe it is because of how strong the typhoon is, or maybe because the feeling of betrayal from government officials still lingers within me. I am afraid that the projects meant to protect us are either nonexistent or substandard.
Late that night, I decided to go for a walk (the weather was still fine) to calm myself and buy some groceries. Aside from worrying about the typhoon, I was also anxious that the groceries I would buy might exceed my monthly budget. There was just too much worry inside me.
I entered the store and meticulously calculated every single item I placed in my cart until it reached my planned amount. The whole time, I was anxious, thinking about all the worst possible scenarios that could happen, especially after seeing what happened in other parts of the country.
When I went to the cashier to pay, I prayed that the online payment or internet connection would work since I did not bring any cash. There was a long queue behind me because the store was about to close and only one cashier was available.
Another thing to worry about, the line getting longer.
Maybe it was the afternoon coffee, but I could feel my heart pounding faster than usual. Or maybe it was the heavy burden I had been carrying the entire day. I just wanted to finish the transaction, go home, and hope that when I woke up, the typhoon had already passed through the country.
Then suddenly, in my peripheral vision, I saw someone approaching me and saying, “Sir Carlo! Kayo po pala yan!”
For context, I used to teach in schools in Meycauayan and Makati, so it was quite unlikely to see one of my students in my hometown.
As I looked, I realized he was a former student from the last batch I handled before transferring to corporate.
I was shocked and not really ready for a conversation. It was around 10 PM, and as a tito, that was already close to bedtime. But surprisingly, I enjoyed every single part of our conversation. He shared where he is studying, his plans for college, and how much he misses learning Math. He even asked to be part of a gratitude post (ito na, ‘nak! Haha!).
When I got home and stacked the groceries, I realized something so profound: that encounter took me out of the dark cloud I was in. It felt as if God had sent someone to remind me that He is in control, that there are things I simply have to entrust to Him.
The conversation was just a quick catch-up with a former student, but its impact was far greater than I expected.
Now, as we face this calamity, after doing everything we can to prepare, may we continue to hold on to faith and take care of one another. Let us pray for everyone’s safety in these difficult times.
God, protect our country. We trust in You.
