PASSING LANES

Here comes the rain
Jorge S. Pawid

The rains are here. This week’s rains are a blessing for those who feel the summer heat. It has been raining during the past week’s afternoon in Baguio City and Benguet province. It is now officially rainy season. A reason for some to be happy while for a few, to crow about.

Umbrellas were seen to be selling briskly in city sidewalks and department stores. Raincoats too, suddenly became an item in demand. Some people were observed to have bought new sets of rainwear for their children to protect them from the rain and sickness these coming months.

For Ciano, our neighborhood historian, the rains are a very welcome respite from the rising summer temperatures however, a bane for the strawberry growers. Strawberry quality has now deteriorated and according to him, they have now started segregating planting materials for
the next crop.

Ciano says that farmers, in general, always welcome the rains. The rains mean water for a new crop. Water for their almost dried up irrigation systems. Water to cool and refresh the soil and more importantly, water to feed seedlings with needed nutrients.

For the outdoor-loving people, rains dampen their activities. We advise them to think of other worthwhile things to do now that the rainy season has reached our doorsteps. Get used to it. There are also many things we can enjoy doing during the rains.

For the less privileged who used to have water in their homes on a rationed basis, they are now smiling and have brought out their pails and buckets to fill with rainwater. At least they could use this for their laundry and toilets.

The foresters are happy too. They have less to worry about brush fires. The new tree saplings have a better chance of survival. Am now reminded that it is also time to plant tree seedlings with not worry of having to water the plants.

At the neighborhood store and favorite watering hole, Ciano blurted that for lovers, the rains
have brought along more chances for romantic moments. More time to be intimate, more time to sit and chat together, more time to be together and many other things sweethearts do.

Of course we understand the predicament of our brothers and sisters whose livelihood bring them better income without the rains; the peddlers in the streets, sidewalk vendors, construction workers and the like. Adjustments and remedies are in store to be done.

Remember that rains are one of God’s best gifts to humanity. It brings us life.

Let us welcome the rains. It brings us more harm than good. Water is life. Let us just hope that we will have less typhoons and storms this season. We are witness to the wrath of nature and how many a times it caused the loss of several lives resulting in the grief of some.

The rains remind us to be more careful. It reminds us to be more prepared for any eventualities it brings.

Meanwhile, let us brace ourselves for the worst and while still early, let us see to these preparations. Let’s make sure our homes and premises are safe from these accidents and tragedies we do not want to happen.

Before going home after our session with Ciano, he reminded each of us to bring out those rubber boots, umbrellas, waterproof jackets, raincoats and parkas and all rainwear we kept stored after last year’s rains.

He said he did not want to know or see any of us getting sick just because we forgot to protect ourselves from the rain. Thanks Ciano. In like manner, we extend that advise to our readers. Thank Ciano too for that reminder.