Michael de Mesa. Image: Instagram/@mdemesa24
Updated 7:16 p.m.
Michael de Mesa was one of the many Filipinos who were stranded due to the heavy rains and floods brought about by the southwest monsoon, as enhanced by typhoon Carina, saying he has been stuck on the road for 17 hours in Cainta, Rizal.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, July 24, de Mesa shared clips of himself driving through the flooded streets of Cainta where people said he would not encounter deep floods.
The veteran actor just wrapped up taping at around 2:30 p.m., and had to go back home as the super typhoon was unleashing its wrath in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Another video clip showed the actor being stuck in traffic with fellow motorists. To make matters worse, the actor’s car malfunctioned along the way due to the flood.
“Packed up at 2:30 p.m. and have been stranded here for 5 hours. The roads are impassable due to waist-deep flooding, and my car has malfunctioned from the water I had to drive through earlier. It’s nighttime now, and I haven’t eaten. I guess we definitely shouldn’t have gone to work today,” he said.
In a follow-up post on Thursday, July 25, de Mesa disclosed that he had been stranded for 17 hours, saying the experience triggered his anxiety.
“Stranded for 17 hours now coming from taping yesterday. Naiiyak na ako. The tow truck can’t get through, and my anxiety is kicking in. I just want to go home,” he wrote.
The actor told ABS-CBN News that he was still on the road at around 9:00 a.m.
The actor’s posts were filled with messages from his followers, his wife Julie, and fellow celebrities such as Iza Calzado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Eula Valdes, Bela Padilla, Ryza Cenon, Jerald Napoles, Cherry Pie Picache, Yasmien Kurdi, and Kim Molina. His wife Julie Eigenmann also expressed concern for de Mesa in the comments.
Screenshots from Instagram/@mdemesa24
Towed after 22 hours
After more than 22 hours of waiting, de Mesa updated his followers on Instagram saying his car was finally pulled by a towing service. The post showed the visibly tired actor smiling to the camera while showing his vehicle being carried away by a tow truck.
“Finally being towed after more than 22 hours of being stuck. Maraming salamat, NJP Towing! A heartfelt thanks to everyone who reached out, sent assistance, and shared their heartfelt messages. I deeply appreciate your kindness and support,” he wrote.
The veteran actor extended his “thoughts and prayers” to those who experienced the harsher effects of the typhoon. “My thoughts and prayers are with those in more difficult situations. Stay safe, everyone,” he wrote.
Among the celebrities who were affected by Carina include Aiko Melendez, Rosanna Roces and content creator Ninong Ry, whose Malabon home was submerged by the floodwaters.
Meanwhile, the car of Melendez’s son was swept away by the flood. Gerald Anderson, on the other hand, made headlines after braving the typhoon to rescue stranded families in Quezon City.
Previously a super typhoon, Pagasa announced on its 11 p.m. weather bulletin on Wednesday, July 24, that Carina weakened into a typhoon.
It had already left the Philippine area of responsibility at 6:20 a.m. on Thursday, July 25.