Robbie in and around Tacloban

This is a question I am asked all the time. Were you here in Tacloban when Typhoon Yolanda unleashed its furry?   The answer is no. Not being here with my wife on that day is one of the most worrying times in my life. We had just been married on 28 September 2013. I was working back Egypt as an expatriate at Sukari Gold Mine. I have written a story on my feelings and relief when I travelled back to the Philippines to look for my wife: Typhoon Yolanda 08 November 2013 The disaster was approaching the Philippines. In Egypt, we had cable television in our accommodation rooms. Typhoon Yolanda international name Haiyan was heading towards the Philippines. The concern was Tacloban City and surrounding areas were on the predicted path. I had phone contact with my wife and we talked about the needed precautions. The Philippines experiences typhoons regular and is accepted as part of life. There was a difference as this typhoon was increasing in intensities and was going to be one of

MY LIFE IN THE TACLOBAN AREA   I have been coming to the Philippines since 2006 and have seen quite a bit of the country. I am now living in the Dulag area in the province of Leyte. Dulag is approximately 35 km from Tacloban City. Tacloban is approximately a one hour flight from Manila with regular flights daily with PAL, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia. First I would like to describe my life here in the Tacloban area. I am married with a family and I am happy living here. This is now my home. I live in a barangay (village) of approximately 1000 people. It is very safe and I get along well with the local people. This is a rice farming area and the way most people make their living. Work is available during planting and harvest but many people work on crop maintenance. Some people travel to Tacloban City and other areas for work. My father-in-law was a farm labourer before meeting my wife. I like most foreigners worry about level of support for the spouse’s family. I have ta