A photo of local men smiling while running from powerful waves during Super Typhoon Uwan has gone viral on social media.
The moment was captured by The Philippine STAR photographer Walter Bollozos in Barangay Aplaya in Dingalan, Aurora, which was among the provinces that were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 and Signal No. 4, as Uwan made its landfall on the region on Sunday.
The image, which went viral after being posted on the same day, showed residents fleeing a storm surge along the shoreline, while one man, notably wearing a striped shirt, appeared calm and unfazed as the waves approached.
As of Monday, Nov. 10, the photo posted on The Philippine STAR’s Facebook page has gathered more than 189,000 reactions, 5,000 comments and 34,000 shares.
Many Facebook users expressed a mix of amusement and admiration, calling the men “brave” and highlighting the familiar Filipino display of resilience even in dangerous situations.
Netizens were particularly entertained by the man who remained still while others ran for safety.
“Ay wow! Unbothered ‘yung naka-stripe,” one commenter said.
“Manong na naka gray wearing a cap is unfazed. He’s ready,” another joked.
“A meme was born,” one Facebook user wrote, while another added, “A man who can’t be moved,” referencing the song by The Script.
Others playfully dubbed the group “Pinoy Stormchasers” and described the contrast among them as “OAs vs Nonchalants.”
Forecasters expect Super Typhoon Uwan to strengthen again on Tuesday, Nov. 11, as it moves across the West Philippine Sea before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
