A Portrait of Care Amidst the Super Typhoon
In the midst of the chaos unleashed by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, a single, tender moment inside a crowded evacuation centre in Quezon City has come to symbolise the resilience of the human spirit. Judy Bertuso, 63, was captured carefully spooning porridge into the mouth of her husband, Apollo, 65, who is recovering from a stroke and seated in a wheelchair.
The couple had been forced to abandon their creekside home a day earlier, fearing a repeat of the flooding that had inundated their property during heavy rains just the previous October. Heeding urgent warnings broadcast on radio and television, they did not hesitate to move to higher ground as the most powerful storm to threaten the Philippines this year loomed.
The Fury of the Storm
Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall on Sunday, 09 November 2025, battering the country's northeastern coast with devastating force. The storm packed sustained winds of up to 185 kilometres per hour (115 mph) and violent gusts reaching an astonishing 230 kph (143 mph).
This extreme weather event prompted a massive evacuation effort, with more than a million people across the Philippines, including the Bertusos, fleeing their homes for safety. The scale of the displacement highlights the severe impact of the typhoon on vulnerable communities.
Sanctuary in a Sports Hall
The Bertusos found refuge on the floor of a basketball court, now transformed into a temporary shelter. Dozens of other families occupied rows of bright orange tents, creating a makeshift community. Outside, the wind howled relentlessly, a constant reminder of the danger.
Inside, the atmosphere was a mixture of anxiety and mundane routine. The low hum of quiet conversations drifted between the tents, punctuated by the energetic play and chatter of children trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. It was within this context of noise and uncertainty that Judy Bertuso's quiet act of care unfolded.
Dressed in a wrinkled T-shirt and shorts, she looked tired but her movements were deliberate and gentle. As she steadied the spoon, her hand trembling slightly, she fed her frail husband. The translucent plastic walls of their tent outlined their figures against the backdrop of the storm, creating a powerful image of tenderness persevering amidst the chaos. The scene seemed to convey a profound message: while the storm raged beyond the walls, unwavering care and devotion endured within.
