The Rainy Season: Heads Up

By: Annabelle Chua

Just listen to the rhythm of the falling rain…

Come on in out of the rain…

I’ll do my crying in the rain…

Yes, there are a lot of songs about rain today. But then, it seems that one simple song captures the essence about how we feel about it: the childhood song, “Rain, rain, go away.” Rain brings life, it is true. But more often than not, it also brings along with it a multitude of inconveniences and illnesses (not to mention the fact that the start of the rainy season also marks the beginning of the school year). Little wonder then, that most people don’t look forward to the rainy months of July and August.

Like it or not, however, the rainy season has come. To help everyone get through this hated season (hopefully alive and kicking), here are a few tips:

1. SURVIVAL TIP 1: Bring an umbrella – ALWAYS!

I cannot emphasize this more. Nothing can save your life in the same way that an umbrella can if you’re living in the highly variable weather and climate of the tropics. When the rain pours, this can save you and your things from getting soaked. This can also prevent you from getting chilled – or worse, getting sick. And thanks to the constantly improving craftsmanship, umbrellas today are getting smaller and smaller. They hardly take up much space in your bag at all. Take my advice: go out and buy one. You’ll save yourself ten times the hassle and the trouble.

2. SURVIVAL TIP 2: Avoid getting wet – and staying wet.

Getting wet is almost always equivalent to getting sick, and unfortunately, as the Clusivol ad goes, “Sa panahon ngayon, bawal magkasakit.” Getting sick takes a toll not just on the finances, but on your everyday life as a whole. You fall behind on your work, and you have to make extra time to catch up. A simpler solution would be to avoid getting sick at all. Try to wait out the rain if you’re in a place with shelter. Or, if you really weren’t able to dodge the drops, then change out of your wet clothes as soon as you get to a covered place. Nothing brings the flu more quickly than wearing soaking wet clothes.

3. SURVIVAL TIP 3: Personal hygiene and sanitation

As is common knowledge, colds, coughs and flu are some of the most common ailments during the rainy season. The coming months are no different. Maintain your personal hygiene and sanitation. Wash your hands often with soap and water, and cover your nose and mouth (with a clean handkerchief, preferably) when someone sneezes. The environmental conditions facilitate the transfer of bacteria and germs from one individual to another, but you can prevent them from transferring to you if you’re on guard.

4. SURVIVAL TIP 4: Drink plenty of fluids – water and juices.

To boost your immune defense, it’s best to drink a lot of water and juice especially during the rainy season. Juices such as calamansi and dalandan, with their high vitamin C content, are particularly beneficial.

5. SURVIVAL TIP 5: Plan first.

When going out, plan your activities first. Listen to the latest weather bulletin and map out the route you intend to take. Try not to get caught in traffic, as things can go from bad to worse once the rain pours.

6. SURVIVAL TIP 6: Avoid wearing sandals, slippers and the like.

All I’m going to say is: self-explanatory.

The cold weather does bring its share of inconveniences, but look at it from a brighter side: we can finally say good-bye to the scorching heat of the summer. After two hot, blazing months of sweating and getting sunburned, we can finally take a walk without getting fried (just drenched). Take my advice, and look at it positively. Before you know it, the rainy season will be over, and Christmas will be here. As a song says,

Raindrops keep falling on my head

But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red

Crying's not for me cause

I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining

Because I'm free

Nothing's worrying me