Ang hindi inaasahang pagsabog ng Taal Volcano sa Batangas province kahapon, January 12, ang gumulat sa lahat at balitang-balita na ito sa buong mundo.
Marami ang apektado ng Taal Volcano eruption dahil kanselado ang lahat ng mga flight sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport; idineklarang walang pasok sa lahat ng antas ng paaralan sa Metro Manila at mga probinsiya ng Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, at Bataan na apektado ng ashfall.
Marami rin ang stranded sa Tagaytay City, kabilang ang singer na si Louie Heredia dahil hindi sila pinayagang makaalis sa naturang lugar.
"Feels like we are part of the movie, Poseidon Adventure... we are all stuck here! Nobody can leave and nobody can enter Tagaytay at this point! Non stop earthquakes here!” sabi ni Louie sa kanyang Facebook post ni Louie.
Nananatili pa rin ngayon si Louie sa kanyang hotel room sa Taal Vista Hotel.
"Had to go back because the traffic is really really really really bad, not moving. I had to think whether to go back to Manila or not.
"I have a brand new car and it’s like all the rocks are falling on it so I’m back in my room at Taal Vista Hotel and this is my view. I can’t believe it, unbelievable.
"Look at it, oh my God. Look at that, it’s like Pinatubo, wow!
"There’s nobody outside and I’m just showing it to you guys, oh my God. I’m back here and I hope, everything goes well and nothing bad happens to us. I can’t believe it, I go to Tagaytay once every three months and today, this is what happens, no idea that Taal Volcano was erupting so what time is it now, it’s 6:10 pm,” pahayag ni Louie sa video na naka-post sa kanyang Facebook page habang ipinapakita niya ang pag-aalburoto ng Taal Volcano.
Hanggang ngayon, January 13, nababahala pa rin si Louie na hindi nakatulog dahil sa sunud-sunod na pagyanig ng paligid.
Matagal nang residente ng Tagaytay City ang mga magulang ni Jolina Magdangal, at ang Facebook din ang ginamit ng kanyang ama na si Jun Magdangal, na nagbigay ng update tungkol sa Taal Volcano eruption.
“Ash clouds from Taal volcano have reached Tagaytay. Our car is drenched with ash-tainted rain. Black pebbles are raining down on us.
"Black pebbles and few fist-size volcanic rocks are now raining down on us.There are rumbling sounds, thunder and lightning. It’s risky to drive.
"The sky is grey all over Tagaytay and the stench of sulfur pervades the air. There is earthquake here amidst the rumbling sounds, thunder and lightning. There is rattling sounds everywhere caused by falling pleces of volcanic rocks,” pahayag ng ama ni Jolina.
Nagpapasalamat naman ang talent manager at beauty-queen maker na si Jonas Gaffud dahil nakaalis sila ng kanyang mga kasama sa Tagaytay City matapos mananghalian sa isang restaurant.
"We were thinking what to do on a Sunday and I suggested there’s a volcano nearby where we can have nice view and sumptuous lunch. So I invited Sean Osada and Cheska Summer to Tagaytay. Then it just happened. The volcano erupted,” kuwento ni Jonas.
Nagpapakuha si Jonas ng litrato na background ang bulkan ng Taal nang sumabog ito.
"Posing then suddenly it erupted!I thought it was just thunder. I did not see the news today that 6,000 residents were evacuated this morning. I heard a guy on the radio telling someone to stop the tours to the volcano. Time to eat and run.
"Sabi ko kay Ate sa resto, ay bakit mukhang sasabog sya. Sabi nya: clouds lang po yan. So sa next IG story nagpa-help ako kay Cheska Summer put the graphics na may fire sa superzoom kasi sabi ko mukhang sasabog sya. Then ayun na mga sumunod na nangyari. I hope everyone will be safe and no casualties.”
Ala-singko y medya ng Linggo nang umalis ang grupo ni Jonas sa Tagaytay City at alas-dos ng madaling-araw ng Lunes nang makarating siya sa kanyang tahanan sa Mandaluyong City.
Pinasalamatan ni Jonas ang mga kababayan nating binuhusan ng tubig ang windshields ng mga sasakyan ng mga motorista na natakpan ng ashfall para maging ligtas ang pagmamaneho ng mga driver.
"I would like to thank the good samaritans washing our windshields. May hose at mga dalang timba. Salamat mga kababayan.
"We are home safe and sound. Thanks to everyone who sent messages, volunteers on the road helping motorists, and guiding us along the way.
"Yes we had nice photos because we went there to have Sunday lunch, but suddenly thick white smoke was coming out of the volcano, witnessing the power of nature.
"But then it became black and we suddenly realized it was getting dangerous. Taal is a very active volcano and should not really erupt like Pinatubo in 1991.
"But all we can do is pray and hope it subsides. And I hope the families affected will be accorded necessary assistance and everyone there is trying to help," kuwento ni Jonas tungkol sa kanyang karanasan sa pagputok ng Taal Volcano.