Shots signaled burst of floodwaters.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Ruth L. Navarra

WHEN a series of gunshots were heard in the middle of "Krystala," the residents of Sitio Saba in Montalban, Rizal, knew that it was not a good sign.

Twelve-year-old Pilbert Ramos and his family saw the water and quickly climbed to their rooftop. Neighbors followed suit because the house of the Ramoses was higher than those of their neighbors.

He could not recall the exact number of people who were with him but he remembered his Auntie Paring, Aunt Bobot, his brother Gilbert and his wife Rina, and his other brother John.

Pilbert also remembered his neighbors Felipe and his wife Crosynthia, Nelson and his wife Lita, his playmate JR Manera and his father Rustom.

For the nearly one hour they were stranded on the rooftop, he said that they were not talking. But he knew that they were praying quietly. He said that he dared not ask God for anything but he did recite the Hail Mary.