MANILA, Philippines - “Rain, rain go away” is one of those lines that immediately come to mind when we find ourselves amidst a traffic jam or stranded somewhere because of a heavy downpour. That, or a curse especially when it ruins a sporting event that we’ve been anticipating.
But did you know that the nursery rhyme traces its origins to the rivalry between England and Spain back in the 16th century? It was not about a soccer match.
The original nursery rhyme was said to have gone this way: “Rain, rain go away. Come again another day. Little Johnny wants to play. Rain, rain, go to Spain. Never show your face again.” According to rhymes.org.uk, it was coined after the English fleet beat the much stronger Spanish Armada with the help of the stormy weather.
There are other interesting rain-related facts about the rain that we have come upon like the origin of the phrase “rain cats and dogs.”
According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, its first recorded use is attributed to poet Jonathan Swift in 1738. According to phrases.org.uk, Swift may have been referring to “the sight of dead cats and dogs floating by in storms.” An earlier phrase, “rain cats and polecats”, appeared in Richard Brome’s The City Wit in the 16th century.
As to the paraphernalia (or accessories) that we use during the rainy weather, the umbrella seems to have been the oldest. It was supposedly first used by the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, and Chinese not as a shield from the rain, but from the sun.
The world “umbrella”, in fact, comes from the word “umbra” which means shadow. About.com says that it was in the 16th century that it found its way to Northern Europe where it was used as a protection against the rain. The first ribbed umbrella design that we use now, meanwhile, was said to have been invented by Samuel Fox in 1852. He supposedly came up the steel rib design to use up the leftover stocks of farthingale stays used in women’s corsets.
Rain coats first appeared in the 18th century. Madehow.com says the Englishman Charles Mackintosh is attributed with the invention of the method that integrates rubber with fabric. If English gentlemen referred to their umbrellas as Hanways back in the day, the British populace during that time called their raincoats Mackintoshes or Macs.
We also have the English to thank for the rubber boots, or what they call “wellies.” Its name is attributed to the first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellington, who asked his shoemaker to modify his leather Hessian boots into footwear that was made of rubber. Ezinearticles.com says it was the French footwear manufacturer, Hiram Hutchinson, though who patented the rubber footwear product in partnership with Charles Goodyear.
Filipinos call their version of the wellies as “bota” while those in South Africa and New Zealand call them “gumboots” or “gummies.”
Rainy Day Activities
You should check in at Playa de Oro Resort in Barangay Mindoro, Vigan City and enjoy the sea breeze on a rainy day.
HOTEL DESCRIPTION
The beach is not a usual place to visit for locals on a rainy day because the concept of beaches is limited to swimming and outdoor fun. But the huts along the beach offer a sanctuary for peace and quiet to simply watch the waves and have the world alone to yourself.
Travelers can walk along the three-kilometer beach in the early morning for an invigorating exercise to whet one’s appetite for the hearty breakfast served at the resort. They can also sit on the wide beach, dig their heels in the sand and watch as the sun sets and the skies fill with a multitude of stars.
The resort is located in Barangay Mindoro, five kilometers West of Vigan’s center. It is owned and operated by the city government. It is simple, spacious and bright, perfect for a relaxing stay that would tempt visitors to just laze around their rooms with their windows open to watch the hypnotic ocean waves and inhale the cleansing sea breeze.
C'mon tell me. Who isn't in love with the rain though during our childhood years. For sure you've played this with your friends and always excited about it when rainy season is coming.
You're awesome if you haven't missed this also. The ''bangkang papel'' you used to play and always wanted to be creative about. Be it in size or in color so you can beat what your friends have.
Or you simply stayed at home and enjoyed the luxury of watching other kids down the streets.
Worst Floods and Typhoons in the Philippines
An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines annually. Some of these typhoons ignited soil erosion and deadly raging flashfloods, which resulted to tragedies in the country that killed numerous people and destroyed properties. However the worst flood that hits the Philippines could be attributed to the climate change that is taking place all over the world. Strong and devastating typhoons beefed up with heavy rainfall and flashfloods that pounded the country is evident of the catastrophic effects of climate change.
September 27, 2009 will come down as one of the most horrible day in the Philippines. Tropical storm “Ondoy” pummeled the country with heavy downfall that caused massive flashfloods that killed at least 140 people (the death toll is still rising), displaced half-a million people and destroyed more than one billion pesos (about 28 million dollars) worth of properties, and the scenario might get worse as days goes by. Continue reading here.
List of the deadliest typhoons in the country:
Typhoon Name: Uring
Date: November 2 to 7, 1991
Affected areas: Leyte and Negros
Casualties: 5,100 up to 8000
Estimated damage in pesos: 1.04 billion
Typhoon Name: Nitang (Ike)
Date: August 31 to September 4, 1984
Affected areas: Surigao Bohol, Cebu, Negros
Casualties: 1,300 up to 3,000
Estimated damage in pesos: 4.1 billion
Typhoon Name: Sendong (Washi)
Date: December, 2012
Affected areas: Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon
Casualties: 1,080 up to an estimate 3,000
Estimated damage in pesos: 1.03 billion
Typhoon Name: Trix
Date: October 16 to 23, 1952
Affected areas: Bicol region
Casualties: 995
Estimated damage in pesos: 0.88 billion
Typhoon Name: Amy
Date: December 6 to 19, 1951
Affected areas: Visayas
Casualties: 991
Estimated damage in pesos: 0.70 billion
Typhoon Name: Sisang (Nina)
Date: November 23 to 27, 1987
Affected areas: Bicol region, Marinduque, Calabarzon
Casualties: 979
Estimated damage in pesos: 1.12 billion
Typhoon Name: Frank (Fengshen)
Date: June 18 to 23, 2008
Affected areas: Marinduque, Calabarzon, NCR, Central Luzon
Casualties: 938 up to an estimated 1,500
Estimated damage in pesos: 13.32 billion
Typhoon Name: Rosing (Angela)
Date: Oct. 30 to Nov. 4, 1995
Affected areas: Bicol region, Calabarzon, NCR
Casualties: 936
Estimated damage in pesos: 10.83 billion
Typhoon Name: Undang (Agnes)
Date: Nov. 3 to 6, 1984
Affected areas: Samar, Leyte, Panay
Casualties: 895
Estimated damage in pesos: 1.9 billion
Typhoon Name: Sening (Joan)
Date: October 11 to 15, 1970
Affected areas: Bicol, Calabarzon, NCR
Casualties: 768
Estimated damage in pesos: 1.89 billion
Typhoon Name: Reming (Durian)
Date: November 26 to December 1, 2006
Affected areas: Bicol, Calabarzon, Mindoro, Marinduque
Casualties: 754 up to an estimated 1,200
Estimated damage in pesos: 5.09 billion
Food Trip
Champorado - chocolate sticky rice porridge, served with condensed milk to taste. Partnered it with Tuyo. Tuyo is one of the cheapest food in the Philippines. It is known as the "pagkain ng masa".
ULTIMATE HOT CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO
SPANISH CHOCOLATE
So who said you cant have the comfort during rainy season? Do you have more suggestions you wanna share?
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