The Philippines only has two prevailing seasons: the wet and dry season. The dry season, which occurs from late November to May, is usually seen as vacation season thanks to the country’s different islands.
However, the Philippines is not always a place of rainbows and butterflies. From June to November, the country experiences some of the worst rains in the world. Yes, the Philippines does not hold any records for rainfall, but our wet season has always been some of the toughest to survive.
Here at Primer, we want to help you survive what can arguably be a tough rainy season, especially for the uninitiated, starting with the most common of problems in the Philippines once the rains come: commuting.
1. Never leave your “cave” without it
Rain gear is essential (sometimes even required) in tropical countries like the Philippines. Yes, it can be a burden on your arms or shoulders, but would you rather have a sore arm/shoulder or be soaking wet? Yup, didn’t think so. Here are the things you should have in your bag for when the waterworks start:
● Umbrella. Bigger is better for umbrellas, but not when you have to bring it all the time. A personal umbrella does the trick just fine, especially when combined with
● Slippers/Sandals. No one likes smelly feet. Your everyday shoe-plus-sock combo already has its way of making your feet smell. Rainwater only makes it worse: the scent is appalling, the squishy noise… and, oh, that frozen feeling whenever they get hit by the A/C. It’s better if you can get boots, but they tend to be big.
● Shorts. This one’s optional, but arguably just as important. It’s hard to roll up your pants when the rains set in. A quick trip to the loo so you can change into something more comfy does the trick.
● Shirt. Again, this one’s optional. Thanks to recent weather conditions, however, it’s slowly becoming a must. There’s always the raincoat or poncho to the rescue; however, who has that kind of room in their bag?
2. Check the weather.
Thinking of leaving the house now that your bag is ready? Hold your horses! Even with the essentials, you’re still at the mercy of the weather. It’s always good to check the weather before you leave the house. It could save you from a lot of stress, even if your trip is for an important business meeting.
Weather apps are generally reliable, but nothing beats good old news for predictions. If they say it’s going to be raining cats and dogs, you may want to take a rain check.
3. Avoid the rush.
By rush, we mean rush hour. If you’re used to leaving home an hour early for work, add an extra 30 minutes to an hour. Rains always cause traffic since people need to drive slower than usual. Also, expect long lines of people at a packed terminal since people will not want to be caught in the rain.
4. Keep your batteries charged.
We know you’re itching to hatch that egg you got from that Pokéstop last night, but apps like Pokémon go can drain your batteries (batteries because you may have extras or a power bank), even with its power saving features. You may also be one of those people who like making “Snapchat moments” a little bit too much. You could also be on the engaged in calls with your clients, answering emails, or talking to your little boy/girl at home. At any rate, constant use of your mobile phone will drain its battery, which you’ll likely need in the event you get stranded due to heavy rains.
For your safety, keep your phone charged during the rainy season, lest you be stranded without a way to call for help.
5. Know the emergency hotline.
In case you missed it, the new emergency hotline, 911, was launched earlier this month. It’s an iconic emergency number that makes it a lot easier for you to reach the authorities, regardless of where you are in the country. Either know it by heart or have it on your speed dial.
Source: www.primer.com.ph
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