Ever wonder why there's no summer in the Philippines?

Here's a link:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/353456/scitech/science/why-there-s-no-such-thing-as-summer-in-the-philippines


IMReady is GMA News and Public Affairs' information campaign for public safety. It aims to make preparedness a part of Filipino lifestyle, and to empower people to respond better to emergency situations—beginning with thought-provoking articles from experts in the field.


Even as temperatures in the country are expected to climb to as high as 40°C in the coming weeks, it's hard to imagine that there's no such thing as "summer."

Technically, there really is no "summer season" in the Philippines—or in any other tropical climate country in the world, for that matter.

Summer, being one of four seasons, is only experienced in temperate regions like in northern Asia, Europe, the United States, and Australia. Their summers are characterized by warm temperatures and dry conditions. Astronomically, summers have significantly longer daytimes than night times.

More from: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/353456/scitech/science/why-there-s-no-such-thing-as-summer-in-the-philippines 



Moreover, summer in the northern hemisphere starts on June 21 this year, which is marked by the Summer Solstice—the day the sun appears highest in the sky. But on the other side of the world, Australia and the rest of the southern hemisphere, summer starts on December 21.

However, since the Philippines is close to the equator, it receives a relatively consistent amount of sunlight—and overall warm climate conditions—throughout the year, and the change in daytime is insignificant.

So the Philippines doesn't really experience summer. At least, not in the way that other countries in temperate regions experience them.

Instead, the country experiences annual changes in climate patterns that we have come to call "seasons": the dry season and the wet season. 

And even then, these "seasons" are relative terms in that, even during the dry season in the western section of the country from March to May, there's still a lot of rain on the eastern coast.

Officially, we herald the start of the dry “summer” season once the cool northeast monsoon winds or "Amihan" finally wane and are replaced by the warmer Easterly winds. This typically happens some time in the middle of March.

So what terms should we use to describe the seasonal change in weather? In Filipino, we use tag-init or tag-tuyot. In English, we can use "dry season." But, inaccurate though it may be, the term “summer” is here to stay: no other word rolls off the tongue in quite the same way, especially when used in the context of summer classes, summer getaways, summer breaks, and summer outfits. 

In this way, "summer" is an apt description of the feel of the season, if not of the season itself. — HS, GMA News

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Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz is GMA News' resident meteorologist. A former spokesperson of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), he also served as a meteorologist at Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. Mang Tani brings with him close to 30 years of experience in weather forecasting.

Dr. Carlos Primo "CP" David is a geology professor at the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS). He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Geology from Stanford University and is the project leader of DOST's Climate X. Dr. David is also the Head of GMA's IM Ready Group.

More from: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/353456/scitech/science/why-there-s-no-such-thing-as-summer-in-the-philippines 

The DOST Scholarship results are out!
Here's a report from the DOST website:

Qualifiers to the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Scholarship Program reached an all-time high as 5,303 high school students clinch a slot in the country’s premier science scholarship program. 

This year’s qualifiers breached the 3,982 mark of last year’s passers, up by 33 percent, a record for the scholarship program established in 1958.  

Out of the total number of passers, 4,475 qualified as scholars under the RA 7687 Scholarship Program, scholarships for gifted students who belong to economically disadvantaged families; while 828 passed under the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program.  

Municipalities and congressional districts covered by the DOST-SEI Scholarship Program has also increased from 1,443 last year to 1,568 this year with  the inclusion of 125 municipalities having DOST scholars for the first time.

Moreover, incoming DOST-SEI scholars, as well as those who are ongoing, are set to receive bigger stipends and other allowances starting school year 2015-2016. All DOST-SEI scholars will receive P6,000 monthly stipend (from P5,000) under the Physics/Applied Physics, Geology, Mining Engineering, Agriculture, and Fisheries courses, while under the other DOST-SEI priority courses will receive P5,000 monthly stipend (from P4,000); book allowance of P10,000 per academic year (from P5,000); tuition fee subsidy of P10,000 (from P8,000); and MS/PE clothing allowance of P1,000 (from P500). 

DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said the scholarships will certainly allow the students to pursue their dreams in their desired fields in science and mathematics in leading universities and colleges and will ultimately lead them to become key players in the country’s development once they practice their professions four or five years from now.

“DOST has always been working to boost the number of science professionals that will help us in our drive for inclusive and holistic growth,” said Montejo. “We are optimistic that these qualifiers will soon help us in creating S&T-based solutions for our many national concerns.”

The scholarship qualifiers can enroll in state universities and colleges and other higher education institutions recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development, wherein they can take up priority science and technology course such as Agriculture, Agricultural Biotechnology; Agricultural Chemistry; Agricultural Engineering; Applied Mathematics; Applied Physics; Biochemistry; Biology; Ceramics Engineering; Chemistry with Applied Computer System; Chemistry with Materials Science and Engineering; Chemistry Engineering; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical Engineering; Electronics and Communications Engineering; Environmental Science; Fisheries; Food Technology; Forestry; Geology; Geodetic Engineering; Geological Science and Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Information Technology; Manufacturing Engineering; Materials Engineering; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Metallurgical Engineering; Mining Engineering; Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; Physics; Physics with Applied Computer System; Physics with Material Science and Engineering; Science/Mathematics Teaching and Statistics.

With the implementation of the K-12 Curriculum, there will be a two-year hiatus in the selection of new scholars under the RA 7687 and the Merit Scholarship programs since there will be no high school graduates in 2016 and 2017. To fill this gap, DOST-SEI shall be opening more slots in its other scholarship programs such as the Fast-Tracked Science and Technology Scholarship Program under the RA 10612 and the regular Junior Level Science Scholarship Program.

Dr. Josette T. Biyo, DOST-SEI Director, said these programs will provide greater opportunity to those who would want to become a DOST scholar as they pursue a college science degree but is hard up in life. 

“I believe that with our junior level scholarship grants we will be able to sustain the production of a critical mass future S&T expert at a desirable rate,” Biyo added.

DOST-SEI scholars are required to render service in the country along their fields of specialization after graduation for a period equivalent to the number of years they enjoyed the scholarship as a return service. SEI maintains its resolve that this strategy allows the country’s industries to have “the best minds” to do their services and products.

“As early as now, we call for these qualifiers to take on the challenges of using S&T in serving the Filipino people,” she said. “They have the opportunity in their hands to hasten the country’s economic growth and make life more comfortable for the Filipino people.” (30)

Source: http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news-archive/123-dost-secretary-hails-record-5-303-new-s-t-scholars

Science Experiments

Here are some fun experiments that you may want to try at home:

1) Experiments with eggs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M419D6LsqZU

2) Here is an amazing compilation of nice science experiments:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt2Sg7gFdN4

3) Here are interesting experiments with cola
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57ejkOZXhfU

4) Want to try to turn milk into stone? here's a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFvik_THcNQ

New Pacquiao fight on May 2 vs Mayweather! 

This fight is considers to be the fight of the century. It can be recalled that this fight had been anticipated to happen years ago.

Pacquiao is now at the peak of his training for the fight is round and about in less than a month time.

See more of the details of his training in this linke:
http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/12040/9788061/manny-pacquiao-in-training-ahead-of-floyd-mayweather-showdown


source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-3025096/Manny-Pacquiao-conquers-mountains-Filipino-fighter-continues-fitness-regime-ahead-Floyd-Mayweather-Jnr-mega-fight.html

Habagat raged Luzon, left large areas of Luzon flooded!

August 8, 2012

I can still recall around 3 years ago (September 2011) how typhoon Ondoy left the same flooded underpasses I am seeing right now. The rain have not stopped for so long now I would just rely unto what I hear from the news. I was once one of those who would wish for class suspension for no classes since I know I'd just get wet for going out. Right now, I'm not wishing but praying that the rain would stop.

A lot of places in Manila are currently flooded. Underpasses are filled with flood water and are not accessible to motorists. We lost our electricity for around 10 hrs and we just had it back. According to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Space Administration - PAGASA (the local weather forecasting agency), weather will improve today and for the coming days.



It is habagat (Southwest monsoon) influenced by typhoon Haikui, a typhoon that had its landfall in China, that's bringing all this heavy rains and thunderstorms. We're even luckier, had typhoon Haikui made it to our country, we might have seen something worst.

I took the picture above from the place where I am staying. What used to be a busy street with buses, jeepneys, cars and all sorts of vehicles now looks like a bridge over a river.

The flooded underpass connects the busy streets of España and Quiapo. It also links Dapitan and Quaipo. España links Quezon City and Manila, the country's capital. Quiapo is a busy street since Quaipo church is in here, a famous church where the miraculous black Nazarene may be found.

Reports claimed that the rain had been pouring for the last 9 days already. The bad weather is expected to end later this day. According to PAGASA, no other weather disturbances may cause the Southwest monsoon to hit our country bad except that of typhoon Haikui.

I hope later this afternoon, no more rain will fall. Let's continue to pray for the improvement of the weather.

New Year Fireworks...

Marami palang fireworks sa Bucae... hehehe

Ayan, anjan sa Bucae maraming tindahan ng paputok.. hehehe

We Got Sweaty, Stinky, but see... We helped.

Have you ever experienced feeling wrecked because of a calamity, an earthquake or a typhoon perhaps? Have you ever questioned God about his purpose for giving you trials?
Well, if you do and you still managed to survive until this point, you're blessed.
Blessed are you who are tested. Lucky are thou who are not.
And great are those who recognize their blessings.

It had been almost a week now since the typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila and other nearby areas. But the aftermath of the situation seem to cause a deafening echo. We are lucky for we were able to reach our shelter soon before the storm caused us harm. My mother happen to go to Baclaran then when the typhoon cause floods in the area where she is. She was stranded in the Coastal Road for a number of hours due to the high flood water level. The idea of my mother being stranded is fatal. In addition, my sister sent me a message that she would be staying at work because no vehicles could pass the route she normally takes to reach our boarding house. She said that she's just fine and is even worried about me. I, however had this little adventure in reaching our boarding house. But that would be a different story.

Luckily, all went well. I reached home at around 7 pm the day the storm hit Metro Manila hard. My father texted me that my mother reached home at 6 in the morning. My sister arrived late in the afternoon the next day. While watching the news on what were happening then, we have seen how others had been really devastated by the typhoon. How bad they felt to loose their home and worst their loved ones. It pains me to see their sufferings. While I sit comfortably at the receiving area of our b-house, others are expressing pleas for help.. others are even mourning. I felt that I should be moving. I felt the urge to help and to do something.

It was around Tuesday then when a co-teacher of mine (Mam Mel) appealed to consider becoming a volunteer. My response is fast and positive. I am agitated by the thought of helping. My blood seem to rise to my head and my heart seem to pound harder than usual. I call the feeling "the urge". The volunteer work was set to start the following morning. Unfortunately, my body seem to be complaining that am. I really felt weak and my head seem to be turning. Perhaps its because I stayed late and my body still needed rest. That was it. I had to decide. I informed them that I can no longer join. And I felt sad about it. That same morning, an initiative has been made by a housemate of ours. They will be going to the National Head Quarters of the Red Cross of the Philippines. I said I will be joining them so as to fulfill my calling. For some reasons, I was not also able to join them...

Sigh...

I seem to be not really into this. Perhaps, it might not be the right time. yet.. When they returned a few hours later, they brought news about being re-scheduled. They said that they were told to come back on Thursday. That was it. I was not able to contribute anything and I don't feel good about it. The days passed with me doing a little of this and that. When Thursday pm came, a housemate invited me to join the lot who were already serving at the Red Cross. I, on the other hand am simply doing some blog entries and sending messages to my students on how they could extend help to their fellow PNUans who were affected by the typhoon. I did not know that one of my housemates is not yet at Red Cross. When he arrived, he asked me to join them. I gave little reasons this and that but he still managed to convince me to join the group... And that was the start of the beautiful experience...

We arrived at the Red Cross Head Quarters at around 10 pm. I saw how sweaty most of them are. I felt that I would be like them sooner-sweaty and tired. We saw that some of our housemates who participated in the Volunteer Work were already busy doing tasks we are not acquainted of. Before joining them, I hesitated for I considered the thought that I should register first before I would be allowed to work. But luckily, I managed to do both - register and start working. At first, we were hesitant to do a thing. We don't know anything and we might do something that would not be desirable. So we looked for somebody who could give us instructions. Then, we were given instructions. Since I am not yet registered, I have to do that first. I was instructed to go to the third floor to do it. I managed to register fast. My companion on the other hand started sooner. Soon after, I managed to do simple tasks. I observed for some time (around 2 minutes) and was able to learn how things were going. It's like a simple routine of doing this and that. Repacking goods and carrying them at some specific areas.

Everywhere I look, I see youths working. Some were resting but they definitely did work. I really am inspired by the idea of becoming a volunteer. I saw how they managed to stay late to do those routine tasks for the victims of the calamity. We were like happy factory workers. LOL. I managed to meet a number of the youths, chat with them, mingle with them and do tasks with them. All along, I never dared ask questions as to who they are or where were they studying. Instead, we talked about how to do things. How to help catalyze the process of repacking. As I observe them do their tasks, I managed to come up with ideas of speeding up their process of doing things. For instance, canned goods and noodles in a plastic had to be removed before putting the plastic of rice. The canned goods and noodles would be picked up again and would be placed in the plastic with the plastic of rice. I thought that instead of removing the goods from the plastic, we should instead use the plastic to transfer the canned goods and noodles to the plastic with rice. I showed them how to do it and they believed that it was a lot better. and that was a plus point.

All the time I was there, I managed to do a lot - an efficient worker. I considered the ticking time as precious. They called for a break for some time and foods were distributed. I hesitated to taste the food and chose to drink water instead because I know that I am a volunteer and I should not be receiving much for doing things. In addition, I had a heavy meal and I am not hungry at that time. Had I been, I could have taken a sandwich or two (or perhaps a siopao).. LOLs.. Part of our group - the SRC group who arrived earlier than us decided to go. They did. We decided to be left since we still have not complied to what we felt would be considered as minimum hours of service. My companion said that we should be there until 1 in the morning since he would still be working by 8 am. When 1 am came, he said that we should leave. But I felt that I could still do more. I decided to be left and so he went home alone. I enjoyed being alone. I managed to be able to mingle with other groups and was able to exchange smiles with the rest of the volunteers. I felt happy and I felt that my heart is into it. Not so much of thinking but more of actions and work. hahaha.. Unfortunately, all the goods had been packed fast. hehe. They said that that night had been a fruitful one. If I am not mistaken, more than 5 000 packs of goods had been made. gee... a record indeed. haha...

When all had been done, I still did not leave. I expected for more work to do. We engaged in a motivaional activity - the break clap. It was fun... We also had that when we were in SRC last 2007. I know that I am not so good in break claps... Actually, most of the activities that involve bodily kinestetics. But I managed to enjoy it. I asked one of the leaders if there would be something more to do. But she said that there was none left for the mean time. I decided to go home for I felt a little awkward knowing that most of them went there in groups and I was left without any acquaintance. That eneded my memorable experience of becoming a certified volunteer. The experience is worthy and is really worth doing again.

I got swety, I know... I got stinky... aww.. But I am certain that I was able to help.. In my own little ways...