Stranded bus passengers to spend Christmas with strangers-turned-friends

Several bus trips to the Visayas region that utilize roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels were canceled on Tuesday morning due to Typhoon Ursula, leaving some passengers no choice but to celebrate Christmas at the bus terminal.

According to Mark Salazar's report on "24 Oras," Grace Cruz, who was at the Araneta City Bus Station since Monday, was looking forward to celebrating the holidays in Roxas with her family, especially her sick father.

Meanwhile, Liza Bantilo was longing to go home to Samar, which she last visited six years ago.

However, their trips were cancelled due to inclement weather conditions brought about by Ursula.

"Inaasahan talaga nila (pamilya) na darating kami doon (Samar) bukas kaya syempre nalungkot sila. Akala kasi namin puwedeng sa Matnog na lang kami ma-stranded, okay lang naman na nandoon na kami para pagtawid na lang hihintayin namin, 'yon pala, dito pa lang, kanselado na," Bantilo said.

According to the report, trips were canceled since morning to prevent overcrowding at the Matnog and Batangas Ports.

On the bright side, their unfortunate events turned positive since they were able to meet new people to spend Christmas with.

"Mas maganda ('to kasi) maraming kaibigan na," Cruz said.

Other passengers who will not use the RoRo, were given the chance to travel, but only a few buses were able to return from the provinces.

According to state weather bureau PAGASA, Ursula made landfall over Salcedo, Eastern Samar on Tuesday afternoon, Christmas eve.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA added that the eye wall of the typhoon caused violent winds over the southern portion of Eastern Samar and would most likely affect Biliran, the southern portion of Samar, and the northern portion of Leyte in the coming hours. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News