Classes in Metro Manila suspended today

DURING MY TOUR of duty at the Emergency Department last weekend, I saw a number of patients consulting because of high grade fever, muscle pain, and jaundice. Their labs indicated that they had leptospirosis; all of them had waded in the flood, thanks to the rains that have left low-lying areas of Metro Manila looking like Water World.

Imagine my paranoia yesterday when, just as I was about to cross Taft Avenue to go home to my apartment, I saw, to my disappointment, that it was inundated, with the water level rising as high as my ankles. The rain was torrential and continuous, leaving me wonder, "Did I see the sun today?"

After some time, I saw a padyak which I called out with my loudest voice. The driver agreed to take me to the other side, and I was relieved to find my feet on dry—well, moist—ground. That trip cost Php 50.

This morning I woke up seeing my phone flooded (no pun intended) with messages about the cancellation of classes. I'm on pre-duty status, so I can choose not to report at the hospital, but those on 24-hour shifts must make it to PGH somehow.

Here's a view of Taft Avenue from my balcony. Photos were taken at 6 am.