CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — A day after eerily quiet streets signaled intense preparation for Typhoon “Uwan,” residents on Monday woke to swaying trees, scattered rain showers, and brief appearances of sunlight — a stark contrast to the tense, near-deserted atmosphere the day before.

On Sunday, Kapampangans took government advisories seriously, staying indoors and clearing roads of activity, except for limited movement around key commercial areas. By Monday, though the skies remained unsettled, the province appeared to have been largely spared from the storm’s worst effects.

Reports indicated that the Sierra Madre mountain range helped weaken “Uwan” as it crossed Luzon, softening the impact on Central Luzon.

“Ibang-iba talaga ang kahapon sa ngayon,” said resident Aling Ruby. “Kahapon nagmamadali na lahat umuwi kasi nga malakas daw ang typhoon. Ngayon, malakas pa rin ang hangin at umuulan pero parang nabunutan ng tinik ang mga tao.”

Authorities attribute the region’s steady response to heightened awareness and proactive preparation — lessons reinforced by the devastation seen in past typhoons.

“We saw what happened in Cebu and knew we had to be ready,” said PBGen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., Regional Director. “The key is not to panic but to prepare systematically.”

Despite the milder-than-expected impact, officials urged the public to remain vigilant, as rainfall and winds may still intensify depending on the storm’s movement. The Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office continues to monitor conditions and coordinate with barangays on standby response measures.

As residents resume daily routines under shifting skies, Pampanga reflects a broader lesson: preparedness and collective discipline can make all the difference when facing powerful storms.