Man uses ‘itak’ vs. Ursula’s tornado; residents brave river current to carry sick patient to hospital

Typhoon Ursula might have wreaked havoc in Visayas and southern Luzon, but that did not stop Filipinos from hurdling the weather system's effects.

A report on GMA News' 24 Oras on Thursday said that residents in San Fernando, Romblon, unfazed by the bad weather, were willing to go to any length just to bring their sick neighbor to a hospital, even if that meant braving the river current amid Ursula's onslaught, just to carry the patient across the water — in true Bayanihan fashion.

Meanwhile, a tornado struck at Barangay Balingayan in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro on Christmas Eve, sending residents into a frenzy and running for cover, according to a separate report on GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

One man, however, did the opposite and rushed out of their house, wielding a gulok or a large bolo knife. As the tornado —at a distance— destroyed everything on its path, the man started waving his weapon into the air in a hacking motion.

The man insisted what he was doing would help their area get spared from being torn down by the tornado — something based off of superstition or pamahiin.

The following day local authorities reported that the tornado destroyed at least five houses, and injured one resident.

"Sobrang lakas nung hangin. Tapos nagkakalabugan na. Tapos nagbagsakan na 'yung mga, 'yung mga bintana. 'Yung mga ano ng bintana, salamin," said Angel Clyde Manuel, the wounded resident.

Ursula has killed at least three in the province, even as power in the province's Bulalacao town has yet to be restored and cellphone signal remains intermittent.

The number of deaths related to Ursula has already increased to 16, according to the NDRRMC. — MDM, GMA News