Fearless Leader “Bob” Martin has established Davao Mindanao as the LiP Headquarters. Last July 6th he mentioned that I should move down south because there is no rainy season. As I thought about It, I realized I’d miss my rainy season, it is something you can depend on, Plus in the dry season we can make plans for a party weeks in advance and never worry if it will get rained out, something you can’t do in Mindanao.
Another benefit is, we on Luzon have no need for the PagAsa to tell us the weather forecast which will be for the next few months “cloudy and rain.” Not even for typhoons do we need them as, we’ll go on line and track them ourselves and will know more than if we watched every PagAsa news broadcast on TV.
Example: on 4,through 8 July we were affected by Tropical Depression (Turned tropical Storm) Egay, of course Manila flooded, Dinalupihan Bataan received many days of pouring rain, but no wind and because of Newton’s laws of Gravity the rain disappeared as fast as it fell. True we were stuck on the mountain as the low Landers were flooded and the roads semi-impassable. But the Bataan Rice Fields got the water they needed Now on the last day of the Egay. The South Westerly Monsoonal rains started and the wet continued, PagAsa came on the TV and told us what had happened, not a word prior to the storm or what could have happened but a past tense report, kind of nice to know if you’re a history buff.
Remember I mentioned that the pump on the fish tank burned out? I said that with the rain falling I didn’t need to replace it until the next dry season. How wrong can one Kano be, what I forgot is, that not only does it circulate water through the water fall, but there is another valve that will drain excess water from the pond, and damn if that doesn’t require a fully functioning pump. Plan “B” prior to the fish walking on the grass by the overflowing pond; we’ll bring in some guys with buckets to lower the water level. (Yes we also have pond “Guys.”
It is late on July11th as I peck away at this missive and the sun is trying to peek out from behind the disappearing clouds. Not to worry it will rain later today, but that will be regular monsoonal rains and not a storm front. As it is time to send this to LiP Headquarters down south.
Rain and I go back a long way, in Puerto Rico it introduced me to many a single tourist girl laying on the beach behind my condo. I processed a secret knowledge that being that the large mountain behind our town of Luquillo Beach was named El Yunque and was in fact a rain Forrest which at 3pm (Set your Rolex by it) it was going to rain, even if at a quarter to 3 there was not a cloud in the sky. So I would hand them a business card and explain that Happy Hour started at 3pm, and they were most welcome. On most days the tourist ladies would arrive at 3:15 and I’d buy the first drink and hand them a towel. Thank you rain!
1992 in the town of Largo on the left coast (The Gulf of Mexico side) of Florida it was a rainy day and I had the night shift at the bar I managed. My biggest concern was, if the rain stopped in time I could either take my motorcycle or my Jeep CJ-7 to work. Then I heard a freight train and it was moving rather fast, now I remembered that the nearest train tracks were eight miles away, oh my, that is odd. I look towards the landscaping business behind me and see the potted palm trees flying around in the air. Hmmm, now that’s very odd! Oh wait a minute Paul, it’s a tornado roaring straight for you, Well what are you gonna do, shit, blink or go blind? Then within less than a hundred feet, the tail flipped up and broke contract with the earth skipped over my roof touched down on the other side and destroyed the roof of my neighbor house on the other side of the street (I gave back the 7 or 8 potted trees now in my yard) AND YES! Catholic Mass on Sunday and a large donation on the plate, was all that came to mind.
Of course a Mobil Home Park a mile away was destroyed, but then God really hates trailer parks so that was to be expected. Oh I made it to work on time that afternoon and to church 3 days later.
Last but not least my son-in-law and my daughter and granddaughter were here for the weekend, I’ve mentioned before he has a 10 hectare farm in Subic Valley and I one hectare tilapia pond a tad larger than mine and he is quite pleased with these many days of solid rain, now the rice planting can start, and if all goes well he can squeeze in a second crop later in the year. But that is a wait and see, type of deal. I love to show up for the rice harvest, I don’t do much but watch.
So that is just a few of my many experiences with rain, and for some strange reason, I still like the rain. (Since it has rained hard every day from the 4th of July until the 11th, when I sent this to Bob) the discussion on whether or not the rainy season has started is now a moot point.
I like that. Pero Bob, seems like Davao area has seen more rain that usual from last year. Siguro, it would go back to “normal” this year.
Hi Geri – This article is from Paul Thompson. He lives up north in the Subic area. They get a lot more rain than we do. No, we are not having increased rains in Davao.
Bob;
I still get a tad confused with Facebook comments, now I understand what Geri was talking about. BTW “Hey Joe” said there is a rainy season in Mindanao!!!
(Just trying to stir the pot) (LOL)
Geri Lamb;
Are you really predicting Philippine weather? Oh my, I’m liking that. (lol)
HI Bob, yup, I read the writer’s bio…. pero, according to Pagasa, last year had more rain than normal daw sa Davao. I want to visit DAvo soon.
There has been no appreciable increase in rain in Davao City. Perhaps other parts of the Davao Region (del sur, del norte, occidental or oriental?) I can’t say. But, our rainfall in the city has been very normal!
I too love the rain, for with it comes a steady supply of fresh water for bathing and doing laundry, which is not an everyday supply here. it also means that the persistent group of JWs will not be walking down the road and coming to my door since their WatchTower Magazines will be soggy and impossible to open. I have nothing against them practicing their beliefs, but I have my own beliefs and I get sorely tired of them trying to convert me to theirs. The rain Prevents the usual hour it takes to politely dispatch them down the road to the homes of real Heathens! The rain also means that washing the car is a waste of time for a couple of days thus freeing my time to pursue more important matters such as Naps and adult beverages. and yes Mindanao does have a rainy season, even if Davao is not included, Probably by order of its Mayor.
Hey Joe;
There is no way I’ll be drug into a “Mindanao” rainy season discussion. When a really annoying religious group won’t leave, ask them if they to believe on devil worship? That will send the scurrying.
This morning marks the 9 day in a row of rain, I’m not talking about rain then a break with some sun, I mean frog choking rain without a break. But my car is clean, and the dust is gone, the AC is secured and the beer is cold, life remains good!
Hey Joe, I like the sound of that…
I’d like to tell you of my heretofore secret JW repellent:
One time some time ago they came a knocking on my door. I had never had the experience of them before.
I answered the door with my usual polite manner and listened to their spiel. They got the message they wanted to hear. Or so they thought… Me, mentally exhausted with ringing ears ran inside and grabbed a P.B.R. After a few more my soul was cleansed.
They came back another 10 or 15 times.
Always the same dressed in their sunday-go-to-meetin’ clothes; daughter and granny. Granny was a trip, like ‘granny’ from the Beverly Hillbillies. Except for her chartreuse Carmen Miranda hat upon which the horn of plenty had dumped a load of plaster fruit and some flowers. Note: My description is not meant to belittle, I only say it as I saw it. Furthermore real men do not really know what color chartreuse is, let alone spell it. I had help from Google for that…
Their visits became shorter as my tolerance and temper became shorter.
Their final visit corker occurred like this:
One Sunday morning I was cleaning out the garage. I was almost done. And I didn’t want to stop as I was in the final sweeping the floor stage.
They came a’knocking. I saw them as they approached.
I grabbed two more brooms and handed one to each.
Told them I was very busy, but they could prosthelytize at me while they were helping me sweep.
Soon they muttered something and left.
I never did see them again…
On the subject of rain, here in Florida I got a tenth or so inches of rain this morning, by 2 pm the rain had stopped, the temp was an honest 80 degrees and 69% humidity. (Usual temp is 90 or so with high humidity for a feels like of 100+) I used this rare opportunity for an equally rare afternoon bike ride for 3 hours.
I didn’t see any JW’s but last week I saw a few pairs of Mormons wearing white shirts some riding bikes some not. It wasn’t raining then. What does one do when encountering bike riding Mormons while on a bike ride?
Paul – Great post!
Jade;
I’ve lived in Florida off and on over the years Titusville, Largo and Atlantic Beach. If I was not here I might be there or Puerto Rico. Florida rain is different; I’ve seen so much come down is a short time that you had to pull your car off the road as you could not see. Thanks for enjoying my post.
Paul-
I forgot to mention that it was overcast all day yesterday. That direct sunlight would’ve taken all the pleasure out of that ride.
Last evenings news stated that a small twister took off some carport and patio (terrace) aluminum roofs at a mobile home park in Largo. You’re right about them being attracted to mobile home parks, hmm…
Jade
Jade;
Overcast can be pleasant, it will cool the day off. Largo really I liked that little town.
Paul,
The best part of the rain is that it keeps things cool and don’t need to use the A/C or fans. Saves on electricity and plus we are higher up like you and don’t flood.
PapaDuck;
Are you in for a surprise, last year during August the power was off for ten days, my AC’s had not been on 90% of the month. Our power bill was the same amount as it’s always been, you do the math. (LOL)
I like the rain also, but I think here in Gingoog we get more than Davao but less than you Paul, up your way.
Like Tynan;
Then that sounds like it’s just right!
Pond Guys — Good one, I’ll drink to that.
There is nothing more beautiful than a fresh washed world drenched in morning sun light.
Loren;
I’m wracking my brain trying to remember what you wouldn’t drink to. Get here quick, the girls at Texas Joe’s are asking about you and Mercy.
hello paul, always enjoy your stories. I am currently in bayugan city, just south of butuan city. the weather here has been very good since my arrival on june 24. Some days has been just just a few drops of rain; other than a hard rain shower for 10-20 minutes the most i seen here for last 2 weeks.
John Barnes;
That sounds nice. I’ve been looking at pictures of sunny days dreaming of what it used to be. (LOL) Enjoy your stay.
Hi Paul another good post, it’s raind for the past 8 days here in pasig no local
Flooding but in other parts of Manila it has, I don’t mind the rain things are a lot
Cooler I’m thinking about washing the car, today’s weather is lots of sunshine
But like I say rain reminds me of home England lol , Derek in sunny pasig.
Derek;
Go ahead and wash that car, and when you get another eight days of rain the neighbors will be looking at you. (LOL) I spent a lot of time in the UK years ago with the US Navy, I remember it as overcast with patchy showers, but then I only would visit pubs with a sturdy roof. I might have missed the downpours.
Bob may be correct about metro Davao, since that’s where he lives, so he would know about metro Davao and people outside surely should defer to Bob’s experience there. I haven’t been in metro Davao that often, but it’s always been hot’n’sticky no rain there (though one singular experience on Samar island was already quite different).
Most of the rest of Mindanao certainly *does* have a “rainy season” typically starting a month or two before Luzon and seemingly lasting (at least in the interior) through to about Jan. Then again, here in North Cotabato (which is definitely in Mindanao) the region is known for it’s agriculture-friendly almost-daily rain, though yes we did have an unsual 2-ish months of drought this year, blamed on “El Nino”. We and many others are now replanting – at significant expense.
Generally, anytime moisture-laden air from the east gets forced up past Davao by Mt. Apo, it’s sure to come down on top and on the other side (which is most of Mindanao). When disturbances cause weather patterns to swing from the south or west, precipitation gets dumped to the west of the Mt Apo range, so again it rains here.
Seems pretty well back to normal here now, rain almost daily, only question is how long and how hard. I do see the forecast suggesting very little rain the next few days here as some typhoon way north sucks everything up to there, leaving all clear here. It may give Luzon some rain but here in the south it will be mostly dry until that northern typhoon exits and dies and then we’ll be back to normal, almost-daily rain. Such temporary anomalies occasionally just give us a somewhat happy beating sunshine break on the other side of the mountains you fly over and then view from Davao airport before hitting the highway to go the long way around.
I’m no weather guru, but I do see the forecasts and correlate what the satellite pics tell us every few minutes, and it’s not hard to determine what to most likely expect from all that info. Wife txt’s me from the mountains just a few minutes ago for *my* forecast (which for the next 3 or so days is mostly clear except for possible ‘local effect’, and then likely back to normal. People want to plan their planting around what she tells them I tell her. Funny!
ED:
You more than most seem to pay attention to the weather more than most. My son-in-law is a farm owner and he is attuned to it intensely. But like you (I’m guessing) it’s your bread and butter.
The sun has broken out twice today and now it’s but scattered showers, but the dog and I won’t be taking a walk just yet, albeit she also loves the rain and lacks the sense to come out of it.
Stay safe down south and no storms in your future.
Thanks Paul.
One of the advantages of being just behind a huge volcanic ridge is that typhoons find it hard to get to us. It can happen, but typically it’s just a bad storm here while many just an hour’s drive away might lose everything. We count our blessings and pray this part of the planet has long ago moved off the hotspot so that the ancient volcano stays dormant. That’s about as safe weather-wise as I can manage, good so far in that respect.
Perhaps I do pay unusual attention to the weather (and climate), something I’ve strangely done since I was a toddler; don’t know why back then. Yes now we have a vested interest, since everything else is over-drained to support the agriculture. Sad that one can finance a ridiculously expensive car (no thanks) but no way for even one sack of fertilizer, some seedlings, or a paltry days labor for a dozen poor people. No expensive car here but we do need to pay people to work, an obviously strange concept the government apparently doesn’t care to have the banks support here. No wonder so many poor Filipinos who would love to work for even meager wages. Sorry, but that issue immediately came to mind as I considered agriculture in the Philippines.
Hope you and your dog manage to get your walk and it’s not too much of a slog in the mud.
ED:
There are a few volcanoes in our area, but a healthy distance away. Where I live at the top of Bataan, the typhoons burn themselves out trying to reach me, there are mountains between me and Manila Bay and I live on high ground also. After going from hero to zero in Puerto Rico when hit by Hugo when it was Cat.5 I’ve been choosey as to where I rest my head. I’ve done the beach front, never again.
The Philippine government should take down PAGASA for good and replace it with Ed as the official one-man weather forecaster for the entire Philippines.
John, absolutely *NOT*.
In fact PagAsa is one of my inputs.
John, I should also have specifically noted that while I have need to pay attention to what’s likely to happen within a few KM of here it’s certainly NOT comprehensive for the entire country, nor in any way intended to be official. Same as if people ask _you_ if it’s likely to rain today,. You’re also very welcome to replace PagaAsa as official forecaster for the entire country – if you do a better job for extremely localized weather you’ll certainly have my and everyone’s thanks. Good luck with that.
John;
Hey I’ll replace PagAsa, its easy just look out the window, but far more forecast if you just step outside.
Ever since Typhoon Egay passed over Ilocos it has been on and off rain here. I like the cooler weather that came with it.
Gary M.
One of the small benefits that come after a storm, it knocks your power of but leaves it comfortable enough to sleep. We are in the South West Monsoonal rains now here in Bataan, U know this because they told me on the weather channel.
Gary, heh, yes! Since here in Mindanao we’re accustomed to several daily “brownouts” typically lasting one to two hours but too often half a day or more depending on precise location. The higher the elevation, the better the ‘hanging’ (air) and thus ability to sleep or even relax without ‘kuryente’ not to mention saving a whole bunch of money. Here I’m half-way between and have learned to keep my “aircon” at 27 Celsius, which mostly is just regulated fan with occasional cooling tripping in. Of course the ongoing brownouts do somewhat defeat the intention, causing wake-up way-too-hot and then way-too-expensive cool-the-air cycles. Still, I’m hoping my efforts might cut the power bill down a couple of thousand but I honestly don’t expect anything below 7k monthly, sigh. Maybe I should just turn it off, but then I suffered that a few years back in Cavite and I’m getting too old now to eschew any sleep.
Ed, it is not like that in all of Mindanao. Here in Davao, I can’t remember the last time we had a brownout longer than 5 minutes. In the past 12 months we have not had 1 hour of total brownouts.
Yes Bob, I’m told that metro Davao is very privileged much to the detriment of the rest of Mindanao. Others in Mindanao outside metro Davao might care to contribute their ongoing experiences and I hope would do so. Here in Kidapawan (with exceptions hitting us on weekends too), we typically have between one to three “brownouts” of one to three hour duration daily Mon-Fri. Sometimes none, you never know, but you learn to expect those outages. If the power isn’t on in an hour, well, wait another hour, and if not wait a third hour. After that go check to make be sure you weren’t “surprise” disconnected and if everyone’s meter is still blank, well, just wait some more. That’s a normal fact of daily life here.
That’s here. I’m clearly advised it’s *WAY*WORSE* up in the mountains around here, where a few hours of power in the middle of the day is cause for thanksgiving knowing that you won’t be charging a cellfone at night. So they complain.
It is not a privilege. It is because most of the power used here is generated in Davao. Our politicians here looked out for the needs of the City. You guys in Kidapawan should be in better shape than you are too, given the thermal energy production on Mt. Apo. No reason for Kidapawan to be having so many brownouts.
Yes Bob, given the quite local geothermal production, it’s difficult to fathom all the brownouts unless either the power production is way insufficient at random hours often when the sun goes down, businesses are shut until morning, and overall demand plummets – and the power goes off again for a few hours – candle time again.
We’re not talking about a few isolated instances, but more typically multiple daily occurrences at all random hours. Even weirder, annually we may enjoy a week or 2 with no brownout (wow!) and then it’s back to the normally scheduled random brownouts for the next 10 months. Go figure.
What other possible explanation than the power being sucked off through the grid to elsewhere in Mindanao (which I do remember reading news articles about). Go figure.
We were without power for about 36 hours. The weather was cool and windy so we did not need aircon. The only reason we started the generator was to fill the water tank, charge the gadgets, and make a few phone calls over magic jack.
Gary M;
My generator will go in within 5 minutes of any brownout even during the day, I refused to be inconvenienced for any reason, while they divert our power to Mega Manila to please the politicians. Plus during extended brownouts I’m the Purok Cella phone charger.
There are still scheduled and unscheduled brownouts in Iligan City. Some lasting for a good part of the day. From what is posted on the internet about it by Iligan Light and Power Co. as well as other informative posters, many of these brownouts are due to repair and maintenance of power lines, pole replacements and other assorted work. It seems they have to shut down one or more barangays when they do this work.
You’re very lucky that they actually post some scheduled brownouts in Ilagan.
Here Cotelco just surprises you at their whim. No chance to shut down your computer and related gear to prevent damage; eventually that takes its toll. Sigh. We’re used to it after all these years, we just pay and pray. “Normal”.
Bob New York;
Once in a great while the “Loud Lady” in the Barangay truck with the speaker on the roof will tell us od an impending brownout. But for the most part its Surprise-surprise you don’t have any power! But that is all just part of the adventure of living here. On the ship, the lights would flicker and automatically the emergency generator would kick in, how boring!. But learning to save your computer work with regularity became part of life.
Brown outs means brown envelopes !!! lol.
Jan J.;
Now I didn’t know that! (lol)
Late post, Mr. Paul T. but thanks for mentioning El Yunque.. Now I am thinking of Naguabo and Ceiba and Ron Llave. Gracias. 🙂
Jose
My condo on Playa Azul Luquillo PR had two views, in the back the ocean and beach, and out my front door El Yunque. A great ten years in paradise.