The rainy season’s full onset officially begins in the Philippines as typhoon Basyang (Conson) entered the country’s area of responsibility and had a landfall, and last night Metro Manila was just hammered by very, very strong gusts of winds (maximum of 120kph according to weather reports) as it traverses the island of Luzon.  The result—darkness!  A few minutes short of midnight last night, power was cut and not as isolated as I had initially thought.  As of the time of writing the typhoon is already out into the South China Sea, there’s still no power throughout the island of Luzon, and the operations of electric-powered LRT and MRT were suspended.  It’s a good thing that classes were suspended too as it alleviated traffic.

As I finish my late candlelit dinner last night I can’t help but think how far we have come.  In this age of internet, mobile devices, wireless broadband, and timing chips we sometimes fail to acknowledge our over-reliance to technology, electricity in particular, that we always rush things and forget to slow down to savor those precious moments of life.  Isn’t it nice to take it easy every once in a while?

Last night I felt like I was transported back to the 19th century colonial times and how difficult life was.  You can’t even walk fast as your candle’s light might be put out, not to mention the fire hazards it brings.  I also remembered the phrase “nagsusunog ng kilay” (literally, burning eyebrows, connoting studying) with a scene of a student reading his book in front of a lamp (which reminds me of those rare childhood moments when there’s a blackout and you had to study for the exams the following day).  Then all that experience was broken the moment I opened the tap and there’s running water. 🙂