These are the calamities the world faced in 2020 Published December 31, 2020 9:09pm Apart from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the world faced several calamities and challenges this year. In the Philippines, these were what we went through: On Jan. 12, Luzon residents were shook by the eruption of the Taal Volcano. The volcano had a phreatic eruption and spewed thick smoke and ash, which scattered all over Batangas and in nearby areas. After more than a month, Calabarzon was placed in a state of calamity, and almost half a million people were affected. Typhoons On May 14, Typhoon Ambo became the first typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2020. It made landfall in Eastern Samar, where 5 were later reported dead.