THE STRONGEST typhoon to hit Metro Manila directly in 11 years toppled trees and billboards, triggered flash floods and landslides, shuttered offices and the financial markets, and caused a Luzon-wide power outage on Thursday (September 28, 2006).

Typhoon “Milenyo” (international name: Xangsane) brought Metro Manila to a near-standstill with all flights and sea travel in and out of the region canceled. It also forced officials to suspend operations of two commuter train systems.

With the death toll rising to 200 as of October 3, and with losses estimated to surpass P1 billion—with 1.3 million people displaced including 171,000 evacuees and about 43 million kept in the dark by widespread power blackouts for days—Milenyo now seems headed into the record books as one of the most destructive typhoons to hit the country.

It was nine days before the start of the Feast of Tabernacles when this killer-typhoon ripped Metro Manila. Some of the properties of the brethren in the Manila congregation were reported to be damaged by the typhoon but it was a great blessing that no serious casualties occurred.

Amidst the damages and difficulties that the brethren experienced, it was inspiring to see them having the right attitude especially in preparing for the Feast of Tabernacles. You can see their eagerness to keep the Feast no matter what. They all knew that it was one of Satan’s schemes to distract them from keeping the Feast of Tabernacles and they did not allow him to prevail! The brethren were all eager to go to their respective Feast sites to picture the coming Millennium. Some even packed their clothes and other things needed for the Feast of Tabernacles in candlelight! They did not allow it to be a hindrance for them to keep the Feast. All went up to picture the coming Millennium in high spirits! With God’s help, everyone seemed to have a joyous and spiritually edifying Feast this year. Everyone indeed endured “Milenyo” before they enjoyed... the “Millennium”!

Sources: Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila Bulletin