If Austin Powers were here in the Philippines, he would most probably say that phrase, with the usual flick of the finger from the tongue to the butt. Anyway, back to reality, it’s really hot and humid these past weeks and, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), it’s going to get worse this summer. If that’s not good for fathers, it’s certainly worse for kids. Children are more prone to heat illness than adults because they have more body surface area per pound of weight.
The weather advisory, as of 8 April 2008, from PAGASA warns everyone against heat stroke caused by the hot and humid weather:
Hot Weather Advisory:
Hot and humid weather condition will continue to persist over the country for the next three days. The public is advised to take precautionary measures against heat cramps, heat exhaustion and possibly heat stroke. This advisory will be updated daily.
Now, you may not appreciate that without seeing the figures. Let’s track it on a daily basis (Celcius; maximum measurements for a 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. and recorded at PAGASA Weather Station, Science Garden, Diliman, Quezon City): April 8 (Temp – 35.2; Relative Humidity – 83%); April 11 (Temp – 29.0; Relative Humidity – 95%).
High temperatures, coupled with high relative humidity, means more electricity consumption for malls, as people would most likely go there, not to buy anything, but to enjoy the air-conditioned ambiance. Kidding aside, the effect of high relative humidity is explained by PAGASA’s head, Nathaniel Cruz, in this manner:
“Meron tayong human comfort index. Pag mainit ang temperature mga 34 to 35 at ang relative humidity, ang 35 dagdag ka 4 degrees, pairamdam mo 38 to 39. Paano kung umabot tayo at aabot yan sa 36 to 37 (We have a human comfort index. At 34 to 35 degrees you factor in relative humidity and add about 4 degrees. If we already feel like it’s 38 to 39 degrees when it’s just 34 to 35 degrees, what more if the temperature reaches 36 to 37)?” (in an Inquirer.net article)
Also, according to reports, the “hottest temperatures of 38.6 degrees centigrade and 38.5 degrees centigrade were recorded in 1915 and 1987, respectively.” Whether that record will be broken is something to be seen in the coming summers, although it’s certainly a record not worth breaking.
To be sure, however, it’s going to get hotter this summer. And it’s the weather, not you.
It is hot. And to think, some scientists mentioned last month that global warming was over in 2001.
I like your blog’s headline – A father is born every second. Never thought of it that way. It’s very creative.
Cheers,
David
David, it would be interesting to know the basis of that claim made by those scientists. As far as I know, and I could be wrong, there’s almost a consensus on the existing of global warming and the thorny issue is not that fact, but the issue on its rate — how fast it’s going to affect us.
By the way, thanks for the kind words and thanks for dropping by. I see you’re challenging yourself to beat the SEO gods. Good luck.
I never thought of it that way. You are right. A father is born every second.
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