How to be tech-ready for a typhoon like Reming?

When the last typhoon Milenyo hit the entire Luzon grid, most people were caught unaware and since the devastation was beyond normal, a lot of people were affected. If you’re running a business like mine which has no borders, you’d end up with a huge problem supporting your clients who didn’t suffer your same fate (read: no electricity, phone lines, mobile networks or internet connection).

The same goes with bloggers and other techies who rely most of their day-to-day work on uninterrupted connectivity and power. Just ask this problogger how she survived Milenyo’s aftermath in Bicol.

So, what have we tech-geeks learned and what to do to prepare for the upcoming typhoon Reming?

Fully charge all rechargable batteries — laptops, digital cameras, iPods, cellphones, flashlights, etc.
Get spare batteries if you can. Spare batteries can last you longer — the more, the better.
If you have a UPS (uninterruptible power supply), it could also be used to re-charge you gadgets later on when the power is already out. Some UPS have around 30 minutes to an hour backup power. You can recharge all your gadgets at the same time with that limited supply.
If you have a car, get a power inverter or an Ac adaptor. This will save you a lot of pain, though it will be expensive on gasoline.
Buy a small battery-powered electric fan. Believe me, you’ll need this one if you’re used to your airconditioned room.
Minimize usage of your gadgets — common sense.
Plan things ahead. Say you can connect to the net via your mobile phone hooked to your laptop, note down things you need to do first before powering up.
Re-acquaint yourself with the pen and paper. You can write down your blog entries and then type them really fast later when you’ve powered up.
If it’s not necessary, don’t. Stay away from Youtube, iTunes or Limewire for the meantime.
Do an advanced reservation for room in one of the cheapest hotels around (just in case). Make sure they have internet available in the rooms. The last time, Manila hotels had 100% occupancy during the Milenyo week-end.
Get your cameras and videocams ready. It’s pretty cool taking pictures/videos during and right after the storm.

Alternatively, you can grab a book and enjoy the peace and quite.

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

20 Comments

Lanny says:

12 years ago

I believe everything published was actually very reasonable.
But, think about this, suppose you wrote a catchier post title?
I mean, I don’t wish to tell you how to run your website, but what if you added a title to possibly grab folk’s attention?
I mean How to be tech-ready for a typhoon like Reming? – YugaTech | Philippines, Tech
News & Reviews is kinda vanilla. You should glance at Yahoo’s front page and watch how they write news headlines to grab people interested. You might try adding a video or a related pic or two to grab people interested about what you’ve got to say.
In my opinion, it might make your posts a little bit more interesting.
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Independent_Profit_Center says:

16 years ago

really nice post.
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joeyboy says:

18 years ago

i remembered, the last typhoon, we were roaming in metro looking for cafes… hehehe ;)
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Phil says:

18 years ago

I believe that the geek article is helpful but some of your topics are not that “intelligent” as to prescribe, none of which mentions anything about getting a radio for the typhoon update or such. Better not write article. Give the one that makes sense for people that needs advise. Your topic is pathetic and absolutely immature. Does your bachelor’s degree needs revision?
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senenebio says:

18 years ago

still no power in naga city, bicol. see one of the first post (from naga city) about typhoon Reming from WB Prilles’ blog

http://nagueno.blogspot.com/
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Abe Olandres says:

18 years ago

I’m sorry if the post offended you in some way BUT if you might not have noticed, this post was made a day BEFORE the typhoon hit the country.

And in case you didn’t know, even if there are no typhoons, MILLIONS of Filipinos starve everyday.
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macy says:

18 years ago

i agree with you Marc. Nakakahiya kayo!!!
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Marc WILLM says:

18 years ago

Are you not ashamed guys, to focus on how to reload your ipod when thousands are starving and not having even enough to eat and poor logistics on site !!!! I’m not filipino but a bit more help to them would be greatly appreciated. move on !!!
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Miguel says:

18 years ago

Whew, good thing Metro Manila residents did not have to apply these tips!
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Nick says:

18 years ago

And always have cash at hand. If it’s a total power outage, then ATMs may not be working.
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Miguel says:

18 years ago

Free WiFi at Baang Coffee, Mall of Asia.

Generator? Ups the investment a bit.
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jong says:

18 years ago

salamat sa reminder master yuga. fully charged my laptop, mp3 player and celfone. haha WTH, wala pala kaming flashlight.

I hope everyone will be OK.

PS. may free wifi ba sa mall of asia and bluewave? pinakamalapit sa place ko e.
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Sidney says:

18 years ago

Why not buy a small generator?
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vance says:

18 years ago

“If itâ€™s not necessary, donâ€™t. Stay away from Youtube, iTunes or Limewire for the meantime.” – i like this tip! haha

another great tip is to locate the nearest starbucks, seattle’s best or anything alike. This will be helpful lalo na kung free wi-fi access plus free charging hehe.. of course bring your own xtension cord para share sa ibang users. hehe.
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GUrbi says:

18 years ago

Thanks for the advice. Jhay is right.. Pray that everyone would be safe and survive Reming.
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Miguel says:

18 years ago

Thanks for the reminder. I bought a Nokia BL-5C before coming to work.
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Carlo says:

18 years ago

I remember that typhoon, It took around 7 days for Meralco to restore power in Cavite. I have no choice but to go to malls or somewhere where I can recharge all my electronic gadgets.

Last time, I stayed in Bluewave Starbucks for more than 6 hours then at Mall of Asia just to get my laptop charged and check my mails and do some online stuff.

I will die without the net and electricity.
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jhay says:

18 years ago

I may be tech savvy but I’m not that tech-equipped. Just my AAA battery powered-mp3 player, my mobile phone and my desktops.

So I guess I’ll just occupy my self with my offline schoolworks, both academic and non-academic. Of course, there’s the three new books I bought from last weekend.

Pray that everyone would be safe and survive Reming.
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