Heat and Thunder

WORLD weather conditions lately have been very strange. While for us up here in the mountain city of Baguio, we seem to have noticed that it was a wet summer. But a definite relief, all because during that time, the city normally is at its worst. Why? Every Juan is in this resort mountain city, no thanks to the sizzling temperatures around the country. Unfortunately though, it is at this time when the city has many problems.

Heavy volume of vehicles in our city streets that surely get the ire of many locals and visitors alike and a misunderstood impression on what our streets are like as observed by every Juan. Not to mention the tourists’ habit of leaving their garbage for us to dispose; adding to our own garbage issues. Where do we put 300 tons of garbage a day!

With all these things, most tourists would go back to their own localities telling their friends that they had a lousy time in Beautiful Baguio.

Baguio is often misconstrued and unfortunately, these impressions are what stick to many, thus a negative effect. And to think that also for us locals we dread these exact problems. No wonder most of us spend our summers away. But the rains are just a breath of relief. Good water levels for all of us. Especially with worsening traffic all these rains make our air fresh and crisp, washing away pollutants. You may have noticed how strong the echoes of thunder are? Lately, two plane crashes abroad were linked to this weather occurrence. And to think that in Ilocos, a group of people who shared shelter from rain were killed because of this.

But today, I welcome the heat. I get to run and for many, a time to bring out wet and damp clothes to dry or play golf. Just as I write this, I am occasionally interrupted by the action of game 5 of the NBA FINALS. I have always been a Heat fan. Got a chance to go to Miami South Beach and visit the American Airways Arena, but never got the chance to watch a home game. At that time too, I recall there was a hurricane so we were confined mostly in our art deco Colony Hotel.

Did you know that it is heat that makes thunder stronger and powerful and when it mixes with cooler temps, it brings storms and cyclones? If I may add too, it is also thunder that brings out mushrooms. I learned these from the caddies in the golf course. They know that after a thunder storm, they would all scamper for mushrooms the morning after.

Did you know that the cause of most snow avalanches is that of heat and thunder? While obviously the heat melts snow, thunder claps let it all down. While in golf, it is heat and thunder that decides the game. The heat always affects the way we play the game and definitely with thunder no one would be allowed to play, it is just too dangerous.

But the Heat is the best in the world today! So there you go, I dedicate this to my team, the MIAMI HEAT. Amidst all the criticism they found it deep within to be humble and hard-working and be given the highest award in world basketball. Lessons from losing last year’s championship taught them to keep their feet planted on the ground and gain back the respect they truly deserve. Today, they are the world’s finest team in basketball. Kudos though to the Thunder; there might be a take two for both teams next year. And with the Olympics coming, players from both teams will play alongside each other as they defend and celebrate20 years of the Dream Team. To top it all, we take our hats off to coach Eric, he is Filipino after all. Every Juan is surely proud of his achievement…another boost for the FILIPINO PRIDE.