A somber atmosphere reigned over the town of Daraga when we went to visit the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria. Like a set of eyes returning from a funeral, the skies hovering above were subdued, haunting, and sad. The jabbing wind blowing against my face reminded me of the aftermath of Typhoon Mina, which battered the province a few days before we arrived. Some of the dark clouds Mina brought remained and, like a jealous lover, cast a shadow over the landscape of Mayon Volcano, completely sheltering it from our sight.