Robbie in and around Tacloban

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POWER OF THE PEN DURING TYPHOON YOLANDA

- March 28, 2023

Where the power of the pen may have had a humanitarian impact This year it will be 10 years since Typhoon Yolanda hit Tacloban City and surrounding areas in the province of Leyte in the southern Philippines.1000 s perish and so much destruction that I had never experienced before. I was working as an ex-pat in Egypt when the Typhoon struck and I arrived back in the Philippines within two days. I needed to get my wife and her family to a safe place, but others were suffering with no food or medical supplies. My residence was 40 km from Tacloban. The relief effort was highly concentrated in Tacloban but 1000’s of people lived in outlying areas. The American Military was doing a great job but in the early relief, all efforts were concentrated around Tacloban City. I did not think it would have an effect but I sent a report to CNN Philippines, which had American reporters on the ground, including Anderson Cooper. CNN PRODUCER NOTE Australian resident Robby59, who now works in Egypt, fac

Chapter 8 Disaster approaches Tacloban Philippines

- October 15, 2021

Chapter 8 Disaster approaches Tacloban Philippines It has been approximately five weeks since our wedding. On 07 November 2013 disaster is approaching the Tacloban area in the Philippines. This evening I am watching cable television in my accommodation at the mine site in Egypt. Typhoon Yolanda International, named Haiyan, headed towards the Philippines and is expected to make landfall in the Tacloban area the following morning. I had phone contact with Jerli around midnight Philippine time. We talked about the needed precautions like lose objects that may become a type of missile and staying inside the house. I was worried but knew the house was sound and robust and would protect her and the family. The Philippines experiences typhoons regularly and is accepted as part of life. There was a difference as this Typhoon increased in intensities and would be one of the most significant storms to make landfall in known recorded history. Also, I read that Anderson Cooper and other CNN team

Abuyog Leyte Philippines

- June 17, 2021

Abuyog Leyte Philippines I decided to live in Abuyog Leyte for just a while about 30 Km from my normal place of residence Dulag and about 80 km south of Tacloban. They say a change is as good as a holiday The Municipality of Abuyog has around 60,000 residents Abuyog got its name when Spanish sailors came ashore in an early settlement at the mouth of the Abuyog River to replenish their supplies How did Abuyog get its name is quite interesting and humorous? When the Spanish first arrived, swarms of bees were all over the shore. The Spaniards asked the natives " Cómo se llama el pueblo ?", not knowing that the Spaniards asked for the town's name, the natives answered "Buyog". Repeating after the natives, the sailors muttered, "Ah! Buyog". Eventually, the town came to be known as "Abuyog" Living herein Abuyog. For me living here, I find the area safe quiet and people-friendly. The land appears very fertile for coconuts and rice. I

GAB WATER PARK RESORT A NICE PLACE TO VISIT OR STAY OVER NIGHT

- March 21, 2021

GAB WATER PARK RESORT, A NICE PLACE TO VISIT OR STAY OVERNIGHT Adult Swimming Pool Gab Water Park is located at Barangay Malitbogay Javier Leyte. This Park is in such a beautiful setting that would be enjoyed by Filipino’s and foreigners. Gab Water Park has that right atmosphere where you feel you can really relax. It has been hard for all during this Pandemic but it was so good to visit such a nice place and relax. Covid guidelines are in place but needed for the ongoing safety of all people. The resort has just reopened due to the Pandemic on 18 March 2021 and I found out we were the first overnight guests to visit. Javier is approximately 74km from Tacloban and 47 km from Bay Bay not too far from Dulag and Lapaz and just up the road from Abuyog. They have a nice swimming pool with water slides. For young children, they have a very nice shallow pool. The pool is very clean and well maintained. Accommodation very comfortable The grounds are kept immaculate and the staff

ROBBIE RETURNS TO TACLOBAN DURING COVID

- September 18, 2020

Caught in Angles City During the first Covid wave I am recovering from a fractured femur I received in an accident in Pampanga. I travel from Tacloban to see my surgeon in Malbalacat and it was planned to stay only a few days. A long time American friend owned a meat process business in Angeles City. On 03 March 2020, he passed away suddenly. I had loaned this friend a considerable sum of money and decided to stay to see if the loan could be recovered. This proved to be a waste of time as nothing was there. He owed significant amounts to other friends, meat suppliers and other governments departments Time past and Covid 19 is a concern. Mid-March Angeles City was locked down. Over 60 years old you were not allowed out but months later did obtain a travel pass to go out to see a doctor and physical therapy. At first, there were about 20 guests at this hotel but as the opportunity came they returned to their home country Time went by and actually stayed just under 6 months at thi

A NICE BEACH RESORT NEAR DULAG

- May 12, 2018

I NTRODUCTION Having lived around the Dulag area for many years this is a story I want to tell. It is about a simply style but very nice beach side resort called Harapitan. The resort in in the Dulag barangay called Luan and run by a very nice family. I have found over the years there are many beautiful and nice places to relax that are not commercialized or advertised. This is one of them! LUAN LOCATION MAP HARAPITAN GREAT PLACE TO RELAX I actually found this place by accident. I had a broken bone in my foot and was actually staying in Tacloban in 2010.I wanted to find a place where I could swim in the Ocean. I had just met my future wife and her family suggested we go to Luan near Dulag. I was on crutches and had a brace on my leg. There were two small resorts side by side. The first one I just wanted to have a look. So I made it to the beach from the entrance and needed a rest so sat down for a minute at one of the cottages on the beach itself. A guy came up to me w