The rains in the metro have been causing more than floods, since it has also greatly disrupted traffic. The other day, Tuesday, so many people got stuck on the road for hours. And at home, the power was out. This deadly combination got me thinking about little kids going to and from school. I know that in many ways, those who were able to post their concerns by social media are the workers who have to suffer through a long day and then a long night of rain and traffic. But just imagine the kids!
When I was growing up in Baguio, I remember the typhoon and monsoon seasons with its strong rains, power outages and the cold. When we were home and cancellations were announced early, we enjoyed soup, a warm mug of Milo, and extra sleep. But typhoon season meant we had to go to school extra early so we could avoid the rains. We huddled up to the radio at around 4:00 to listen to AM news where the updates were announced. If by 5:00, there were not cancellations, we waited for the first jeepney out to go to school. My siblings and I usually arrive at school at 5:45 in the morning. So there were times when the cancellations would come by 6:30, and we had to walk back to the jeepney station 30 minutes away. We would be home by 7:30 AM.
Rains could be very strong, so once we reached home we had to empty our bags and air dry our books, notebooks, shoes and clothes. As Baguio people, we did not have electric fans because of the cold weather, so air drying took all day and night. At times we had to hang up some of our stuff at the back of the refrigerator, where the air was warm.
The season meant other chores too. Before the warm, cozy perks of the rainy day, we had to make sure of some things around the house. One, the water drums in the back yard were to be opened to catch rain water. Two, the windows and doors of the house were to be shut reinforced with rags. Three, new leaks and drips were to be cleaned, dried, plugged and logged for repair. Four, candles, emergency lamps and food were brought out for quick access. After all this, we would enjoy TV if there was power, catch up on some random art projects, or stay out in the rain for games.
Nowadays, I am less fond of the rainy weather, because things have become more than just being ready with a few extra chores. I think, as a rule, the season has become more threatening, because things tend to turn worse, compounded with factors that people can supposedly regulate and be more disciplined about. I wonder how much more metro-dwellers can take, though.
Earlier today, I told a housemate of mine, that we should go home to the provinces, because the rains were becoming scarier, with the power outages and floods. He said that back home, power outages were common, he was used to them, and that hopefully people would invest on better infrastructure for energy. And I just responded that our islands had a myriad of concerns, and how colorful it is to be Filipino. To another housemate, who was worried about getting home through another Rain+Traffic combo, I said #WowPhilippines #Sarcasm. And then, again, I thought about kids, getting through the terrible weather, wondering what defense mechanisms they would develop growing up in such times as these.
When I was growing up in Baguio, I remember the typhoon and monsoon seasons with its strong rains, power outages and the cold. When we were home and cancellations were announced early, we enjoyed soup, a warm mug of Milo, and extra sleep. But typhoon season meant we had to go to school extra early so we could avoid the rains. We huddled up to the radio at around 4:00 to listen to AM news where the updates were announced. If by 5:00, there were not cancellations, we waited for the first jeepney out to go to school. My siblings and I usually arrive at school at 5:45 in the morning. So there were times when the cancellations would come by 6:30, and we had to walk back to the jeepney station 30 minutes away. We would be home by 7:30 AM.
Rains could be very strong, so once we reached home we had to empty our bags and air dry our books, notebooks, shoes and clothes. As Baguio people, we did not have electric fans because of the cold weather, so air drying took all day and night. At times we had to hang up some of our stuff at the back of the refrigerator, where the air was warm.
The season meant other chores too. Before the warm, cozy perks of the rainy day, we had to make sure of some things around the house. One, the water drums in the back yard were to be opened to catch rain water. Two, the windows and doors of the house were to be shut reinforced with rags. Three, new leaks and drips were to be cleaned, dried, plugged and logged for repair. Four, candles, emergency lamps and food were brought out for quick access. After all this, we would enjoy TV if there was power, catch up on some random art projects, or stay out in the rain for games.
Nowadays, I am less fond of the rainy weather, because things have become more than just being ready with a few extra chores. I think, as a rule, the season has become more threatening, because things tend to turn worse, compounded with factors that people can supposedly regulate and be more disciplined about. I wonder how much more metro-dwellers can take, though.
Earlier today, I told a housemate of mine, that we should go home to the provinces, because the rains were becoming scarier, with the power outages and floods. He said that back home, power outages were common, he was used to them, and that hopefully people would invest on better infrastructure for energy. And I just responded that our islands had a myriad of concerns, and how colorful it is to be Filipino. To another housemate, who was worried about getting home through another Rain+Traffic combo, I said #WowPhilippines #Sarcasm. And then, again, I thought about kids, getting through the terrible weather, wondering what defense mechanisms they would develop growing up in such times as these.
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