Korina Sanchez Saddens Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

By Alon Calinao Dy: Filipinos, especially those Yolanda survivors, were on pins and needles and considered as a bundle of nerves after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines last year.

I don't view it as a joke that this super typhoon Hagupit should go to another country like Japan. I love Japanese people and we should treat everyone well. We, Filipinos, become very angry if other nationalities offend and do not respect us. Let's show some regard and understand their position. After all, we have human needs and we need to survive for our families.

Filipinos are very nervous, tense or worried when it comes to super typhoon! I think everyone does.

Korina Sanchez, a TV Patrol broadcaster, commented last December 3 that the super typhoon Hagupit, also recognized as the typhoon Ruby, should show mercy to the Philippines and instead make landfall in Japan.

We don't want storm blowing up our homes and destroying our properties. Although this is a natural phenomenon, as much as possible, we want to spare lives. We all want to protect our loved ones not only in the Philippines but also in the country of Japan as well since we are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of God.

I personally felt the strong wind and heavy rainfall of super typhoon Ruby in Samar. I took these photos after the said strongest storm "Ruby" landed and devastated the whole region of Samar last Dec. 7.

I was affected by the typhoon because there was no electricity for several days, less food and water, and saw the real sufferings of the people who have lost their houses and sources of livelihood. I tell you what, it was not a goddamn joke to watch the tears of the people. And finally, it was not a joke when you were in that place.

Let's Pray For Zero Casualties From Super Typhoon Hagupit

By Alon Calinao Dy: People who live in coastal areas should leave immediately because Super Typhoon Hagupit, also known as Typhoon Ruby, is the strongest typhoon before the close of this year.

Everyone should not think twice as people learned their lessons when Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Visayas regions that caused thousands of lives, especially the places of Tacloban City and some parts in Eastern, Samar.

I believe that there is no safe place right now either in the whole region of Samar or Tacloban City, but it's only God who knows everything. And, it's great to know that massive evacuees have gone into nearby towns and city that have minimal casualties when a strongest typhoon such as Yolanda landed 13 months ago.

It is likely that Typhoon Hagupit will hit the whole Samar today, as a matter of fact, I am now experiencing rainfall with a strong current of air. Thus far, the locals prepare for the landfall of storm Ruby. People have already purchased food, fuel, and gasoline supply in case there is a brownout all over the place.

There is no more excuse for everyone. Life is so very precious. No one really has control over the situation right now, but life has many choices. As much as we want to take good care our valuable things at home, we must secure first ourselves and loved ones from this powerful typhoon that may head to flash floods, landslides, and many more.

We have experienced Yolanda, who had an estimated report number of 7,000 deaths last November, but the actual number close to more than 10,000 deaths as there are still bodies that have been discovered these recent months.

The impact of Hagupit may be powerful this year, but the hearts and prayers of the people in these affected regions are much stronger than this typhoon actually has. Please join me to pray for zero casualties from this powerful storm and recite one OUR FATHER for us.

Super Typhoon 'Hagupit' Ruby Raises Fears of Another Tragedy

By Alon Calinao Dy: There is now another fear that a similar Typhoon as Yolanda would hit the regions of Visayas, particularly the Eastern Samar and Tacloban City. Many people from these possible affected areas have moved into the nearby towns and city like San Jorge, Catbalogan, and Calbayog City.

Photo taken at Hometown's Hotel in Gandara, Samar yesterday

Photo Taken at Hometown's Hotel in Gandara, Samar today

I watched the weather conditions yesterday as I visited some of my relatives in Gandara, Samar. As I noticed, there were unpredictable conditions in the way that you'd expect light rains in the morning and a little bit sunny in the afternoon.

I am today experiencing a windy weather with no rainfall, but people are fearful of heavy rain and strong wind as it may lead to floodings, damaging winds, mudslides, and storm surge like what happened to Super Typhoon Yolanda last year. 

That's why many people all over the place have purchased some food commodities for the whole weekend, and other people who hailed from Tacloban City and some places in Eastern Samar have stayed in the hotels of Catbalogan and Calbayog City to ensure their safety.

According to Philippine state weather bureau PAGASA this morning at about 8 a.m.,  it has sustained winds of 190 kph as it is getting closer to the Visayas islands.

Although some reports stated that the most affected areas are in Eastern and Northern Samar, my grandma asked our relatives to secure themselves by transferring to our place in Gandara, where we still have mountains to protect us from storm surge and other disasters. 

It is also expected that Typhoon Ruby will make landfall over the Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area on Saturday, and it is possible that my flight from Calbayog to Manila on Sunday morning will be cancelled. 

As Typhoon Hagupit continued to strike closer to possible most affected areas in Northern and Eastern Visayas regions, please join me to pray for our brothers and sisters that no one will be hurt in this natural calamity.