Tuesday, November 20, 2007 (Philippines)

An image of the Niño that stood atop a huge Christmas tree fell inside Fuente Osmeña park in Cebu City, as tropical storm Lando caught much of the island by surprise. (Sun.star photo/Allan Cuizon) CEBUANOS were taken by surprise by tropical storm Lando yesterday, as it hit Cebu earlier than announced by the weather bureau. Winds picked up speed and lashed trees, billboards, posts across the province. The incessant rains also kept pace, flooding parts of Cebu City and Mandaue City. A fallen tree at Fuente Osmeña clogged up traffic. Commuters were caught in jams for hours since late afternoon in major city streets. Office workers and students were left standing on the streets waiting for public transportation, as there was no advice to suspend work or classes. [full story]