THE tiny island is called Miangas. Its only 3.15 square kilometers in size. When Tempo landed there three weeks ago, hundreds of palm trees bowed with respect, swept by the western wind. The fishermen chose to sit serenely inside their homes.

At the beach, a pusoan outrigger boat with a Fuso truck enginebelonging to a Filipino fisherman looked forlorn, its outriggers broken by the wind.

Miangas in August should not be experiencing such weather. A r