MANILA – Judy Bertuso, 63, gently leans forward within the confines of a vivid orange tent, nestled on the floor of a Quezon City basketball court. She carefully feeds porridge to her husband, Apollo, who, at 65, is nestled in a wheelchair recovering from a stroke. His delicate silhouette stands out against the tent’s translucent walls as Judy, clad in a rumpled T-shirt and shorts, diligently holds a bowl beneath the spoon to catch any spills.

Despite her evident fatigue, Judy moves with a serene and unhurried grace, demonstrating a tenderness born from years of mutual care and companionship.

The couple evacuated their creekside residence just a day prior, fearing another deluge as Super Typhoon Fung-wong approached. Their home had previously succumbed to severe flooding in October. Heeding urgent radio and TV alerts urging residents to seek higher ground, the Bertusos wasted no time in relocating.

Fung-wong, the fiercest storm to menace the Philippines this year, unleashed winds up to 185 kilometers per hour (115 mph), with gusts reaching 230 kph (143 mph). Striking the northeastern coast on Sunday, it prompted over a million individuals, including the Bertusos, to abandon their homes for safety.

Within the basketball court, bright tents line the space, each sheltering families like the Bertusos. Outside, the wind continues its relentless howl. Inside, a gentle murmur of conversations floats between the tents, occasionally interrupted by the lively sounds of children playing.

Amid the noise and the uncertainty, Judy steadies the spoon again, her hand trembling slightly as she feeds Apollo, as if to say: The storm may rage beyond these walls, but care endures here.