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What is a Leap Year?

Every four years, an extra day in February to complete the Gregorian calendar. This is because one orbit of the Earth takes 365.2422 days, and to synchronize this with the four seasons, adding an extra day brings the calendar in line.
If we eliminate leap day, there would be an excess of 5 hours, 48 minutes and 47 seconds each year.
But why in February?
When Julius Ceasar reigned, he created February with 30 days, July (named after him) with 31, and August with 29 days. but when Augustus Ceasar came into power, he put more more days to his month, August, and deducted 2 days from February. With February having the least number of days, the extra day during Leap Year was assigned to this month
Did you know?
1.) Leaping frogs are associated with the leap year.

2.) Leap day is also known as Ladies’ Day. In 1288, Queen Margaret of Scotland began the tradition of ladies proposing marriage to the men. If a man refused, he would give the lady a kiss, a silk dress or 12 pairs of gloves.

3.) If you are born on Leap Day, you are called a “leapling” or “leaper”.

4.) Leap Day 2016 is also the 9th annual Rare Diseases Awareness Day.

5.) US Presidential elections comes every leap year.
5 Famous leap year personalities:

1.) Pope Paul III, last Renaissance Pope

2.) Robert Bage, English writer

3.) Former Venezuelan President Antonio Guzman Blanco

4.) William Wellman, American film director who won the first Best Picture in the Oscars for his film “WINGS” (1928)

5.) American Rapper, singer and Actor, Ja Rule

Today marks the 34th anniversary of EDSA Revolution and social media feeds teem with opinions, articles, and memories of this historical event—understandingly so since the 1986 People Power Revolution was one of a kind, a peaceful gathering of Filipinos from all walks of life to fight for freedom from Marcos’s dictatorship.

The fact that this event happened in the month of February was providential, weather-wise. According to the Climate Monitoring and Prediction (CLIMPS) division of PAGASA, the weather 34 years ago was almost the same as the weather today. At that time, it was the peak of the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan, with the temperature reaching 29 degrees Celsius.

A cool wind blew, giving relief to rallyists. It was also opportune that the skies were cloudy, shielding people from the harsh sun. It seemed that the weather wanted to cooperate with the freedom fighters because it was only on the days after the revolution when the light rains came.

If it were the Typhoon Season then, would people have flocked to EDSA? The desire for freedom burned so bright in the hearts of Filipinos that perhaps, even the strongest typhoons and the most searing heat could not keep them from expressing their love for country. But it cannot be denied that the weather helped.

On February 25, 1986, thank heavens that the weather was ideal for walking along EDSA, for parents to bring small children, for the elderly to be up on their feet, shaping our country’s history. Indeed, it was a good day for a revolution.

As we commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, two weather systems will affect the country, mostly in Luzon. These include the Tail End of a Cold Front and the Northeast Monsoon.

The Tail End of a Cold Front is the boundary of two air masses – warm and cold. Cold air tends to dominate the warm air, forming convective clouds and bringing rains and thunderstorms over the affected areas. Meanwhile, the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan is cold and dry air coming from Mainland China or Siberia. It usually peaks during February, and is one of the primary reasons for the slightly colder weather in Luzon.

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Residents of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora are alerted against cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Meanwhile, light rains will be experienced in the rest of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos regions. Metro Manila and the rest of the country can still enjoy generally fair weather, but residents are still advised to bring rain gear as there may be a chance of rains in the latter part of the day.

Due to the prevailing surge of the Amihan, gale warning is up in the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Luzon. Rough to very rough sea conditions will be risky for fishing boats and other small seacraft.

Because of the EDSA Revolution commemoration, today is a special non-working holiday. Everyon,e especially the students, can relive the events of the historical event through a photo exhibit at Trinoma Mall, Quezon City, andan experiential museum at Camp Aguinaldo. For those heading out today, here’s a special weather forecast:

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Cold weather with light rains will be experienced today in Cagayan and Cordillera, while lighter rains are expected in the regions of Ilocos.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country can look forward to a sunny Monday, though according to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Samuel Duran, isolated rains are still possible.

Le Tour de Filipinas 7th Edition

The 7th Edition of Le Tour de Filipinas ended yesterday at Legazpi City Albay with cyclists having to pedal twice the Legazpi route before reaching the finish line. Despite the hot and humid weather, all the cyclists were able to finish the race.

Watch this year’s Le Tour de Filipinas’s winners through this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4zZCF-2wFs

Residents in Eastern and Central Visayas should prepare for light to moderate rains brought by the Tail End of a Cold Front. Meanwhile, colder weather will prevail in Luzon as the Amihan intensifies.

The Amihan will bring light rains in Cagayan Valley and Aurora, while lighter rains are possible in Metro Manila and the rest of Central Luzon.

Mindanao will have good weather today.

Temperature drops in Baguio City
LOWEST TEM (1)
Yesterday, Baguio City experienced 12.4 degrees Celsius, a relatively low temperature compared to previous days. Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz said that the Amihan will prevail during this month. Thus, colder weather and light rains are expected, especially in most parts of Northern Luzon.

Rain showers are more likely to prevail in Luzon due to the Tail-End of a Cold Front and the Amihan.

Light to moderate rain showers are possible in Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region, while residents in Cagayan Valley should prepare for light rains. Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera and Central Luzon will have fair weather apart from light rains.

The rest of the country will have good weather.

Le Tour de Filipinas 7th Edition Starts Today
Le Tour De Filipinas 7th Edition

Le Tour de Filipinas 7th edition, organized by UBE Media and sanctioned by Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) and PhilCyling kicks off today at 5 PM at Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo City. 15 teams from Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe will vie for the championship this year. The 4-day event with a total of 693 kilometers will end in Legazpi, Albay.

Today, participants will pedal the 148.97 kilometers of stage 1 route from Antipolo City to Lucena. Gun start is at 7:30 am at the town hall plaza.

Today, the Tail End of a Cold Front plus the Northeast Monsoon will bring rain showers in most parts of Luzon. Light to moderate rains will be experienced in the Bicol Region, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna and Marinduque. Same weather will also prevail in Samar.

Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the rest of Aurora may experience light rains.

Weather in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region and the rest of Central Luzon will be generally fair with a slim chance of rains. The rest of the country will have good weather.

Le Tour de Filipinas 7th Edition starts today!
Le Tour de Filipinas 7th edition, organized by UBE Media and sanctioned by Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) and PhilCyling kicks off today at 5 PM in Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo City. 15 teams from Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe will vie for the championship this year. The 4-day event with a total of 693 kilometers will end in Legazpi, Albay.

Today, the Tail End of a Cold Front plus the Northeast Monsoon will bring rain showers in most parts of Luzon. Light to moderate rains will be experienced in the Bicol Region, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna and Marinduque. Same weather will also prevail in Samar.

Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the rest of Aurora may experience light rains.

Weather in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region and the rest of Central Luzon will be generally fair with a slim chance of rains. The rest of the country will have good weather.

Le Tour de Filipinas 7th Edition starts today!

Le Tour de Filipinas 7th edition, organized by UBE Media and sanctioned by Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) and PhilCyling kicks off today at 5 PM in Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo City. 15 teams from Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe will vie for the championship this year. The 4-day event with a total of 693 kilometers will end in Legazpi, Albay.

vday blog
Love is similar to the weather in its unpredictability. But unlike the weather, which may be roughly predicted, feelings develop spontaneously, which makes love all the more exciting.
This Valentine’s Day, we hear love stories from the weather forecasters at PAGASA. Discover how they found their “tamang panahon” and how the weather brought these couples together.

“Na-fall kami na parang ulan…”
Fernando “Deedoy” Cada (Aviation Meteorologist Assistant / Former PAGASA Weather Forecaster) & Cherry Jane Cada (PAGASA Weather Specialist)

In the case of Deedoy and Cherry, friendship became the foundation of their relationship. When they met each other in 1998, both were in a long distance relationship (LDR). Still, people at the PAGASA teased the two because they were around the same age.

The turning point
One day, Cherry asked Deedoy help in fixing her father’s car, which incurred scratches.

“Nag-thank you siya sa akin. Sabi ko ”Anong thank you? May bayad ‘yun,” Deedoy recounts. “Inilibre niya ako ng hamburger. Simula n’un naging magkaibigan kami. Alam namin na hindi kami pwede kasi nga parehas kaming may ka-LDR.”

Since they were already friends, they often confided to each other. Then one day, Cherry invited Deedoy to watch a Lea Salonga concert. “May song d’un na ‘di namin makakalimutan, yung Fallin’,” says Deedoy. “Dun nagsimula.” They became even closer when Cherry’s boyfriend called it quits. When Deedoy realized that he was falling for Cherry, he parted ways with his girlfriend in the province.

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Weathering the Storms
Because of their unexpected love story, Cherry and Deedoy consider their relationship as “rainy”. “Na-fall kami na parang ulan. Hindi mo inaasahan. Minsan nga o madalas, ‘di mo alam biglaan na lang, ‘di ba? Pero gaya ng ulan, may indikasyon naman bago ito mangyari,” explains Deedoy.

Believing in Forever
Deedoy believes that the love between husband and wife may last forever, but they have to exert effort to make it work. “Love is not something that you can turn off and on. If you truly love that person, yung pagiging matapat mo sa kanya, loyal ka dapat kahit madaming tukso, respeto at pag-uunawaan sa isa’t isa. At siyempre ang pagmamahal or love, can last forever. You just have to make it happen. Nasa sa iyo ‘yun.”

Celebrating Valentine’s Day
Cherry and Deedoy will not be able to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day together. But thanks to technology, they’ll still be able to see each other.

“Two consecutive years na ‘di kami magkasama mag-celebrate ng wife at anak ko this Valentine’s. Last year nasa US ako, then now dito naman ako sa UAE. Siguro through Skype kami magsi-celebrate. Kahit hindi man kami magkasama in person this Valentine, sa isip at lalo na sa puso namin, tuloy pa rin ang Araw ng mga Puso!”

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“Kailangan mong maging matapang kapag magmamahal ka…”
Juanito “Jun” Galang (PAGASA Weather Forecaster) & Angelina Galang (PAGASA Weather Specialist)

They say that a good relationship is worth the wait.

Jun first met Angelina in 1999 during the Observer Training Course in PAGASA. Nothing happened then, but they met again in 2003 for the Meteorologist Training Course. Both were in a relationship, but Jun believed that they were destined for each other.
“Paano kami nagkatuluyan? Hmm… mahabang istorya eh. May boyfriend siya, may girlfriend ako. Masasabi ko lang na niloob iyon ng Diyos na kaming dalawa ang magkatuluyan. Destiny, ika nga..”

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The couple considers their two children as their most precious gifts. And like the ups and downs of weather conditions, Jun has learned to deal with marital challenges through constant communication and prayers. “Madalas sunny o maganda ang panahon. Minsan may time din na rainy, kasi sa buhay mag-asawa, ‘di naman maiiwasan na dumaan sa ganitong kondisyon. Kasama iyon sa buhay mag-asawa, although wala naman na may gusto na mangyari iyon.”

Believing in Forever
Jun believes that if you have faith in God and if you pray, you will find forever. “Kaya nga kailangan mong maging matapang kapag magmamahal ka, kasi alam mo na anytime pwede ‘yang mawala. Pero ang pagkakaroon ng pananampalataya ang magbibigay sa ’yo ng forever.”

True to this, Jun thinks Valentine’s Day is not just for couples, but also for families. Going to church, dining out, watching movies and seeing the kids play – that is how he pictures their Valentine’s Day.

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“Naniniwala ako na may forever!”
Samuel Duran (PAGASA Weather Forecaster) & Adel Castillo-Duran (PAGASA Hydrologist/Researcher)

Samuel and Adel met while enroling for the MS Atmospheric Science under the DOST-SEIASTHRDP program in 2007. At that time, Samuel had already been working in PAGASA for two years, while Adel had just recently graduated from her bachelor’s course. Samuel claims that it was love at first sight.

“N’ung makita ko siya, nagustuhan ko na siya.”

Samuel volunteered to tutor Adel, not only to help her with her studies, but also to get a chance to court her. “And since nag-aaral, maraming homework. Outsider siya so siyempre, wala pa siya masyadong alam sa Meteorology kaya nagpresinta ako na i-tutor siya. Paraan ko ‘yun para magpapansin at manligaw.”

His tactics worked and he was able to capture Adel’s heart.“December 25 niya ako sinagot and after four years, nagpakasal kami.”

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Happily Married
Samuel would never forget how he jumped for joy when he found out that they were going to have a child. He was in China when Adel informed him through chat that she was pregnant.

The day before his daughter’s delivery, Adel was able to report to duty to finish her presentation for the Climate Forum. “Nung gabi, sobrang daing niya na humihilab na ‘yung tiyan niya. Kinabukasan, we went to the hospital. The doctor found out that she’s already 4 cm. She insisted na babalik na lang siya pag 9 cm na. The doctor just laughed and told her na ‘di na siya pwedeng lumabas kasi dadalhin na siya sa labor room. Magkahalong kaba, takot at sari-saring emotion ang naramdaman ko that time.”

Celebrating almost five years of marriage, Samuel likens their relationship to the weather, explaining that it’s sunny when everything goes well as planned, rainy when there is a misunderstanding, windy when a simple misunderstanding becomes a big issue, and stormy when they face big challenges.
“Kahit gaano kabigat ang problema namin, kailangan may time pa rin magsimba at magdasal. And siyempre, love, patience and support. Sobrang magkaiba ang personality naming mag-asawa pero gan’un pa man, kailangan naming magtulungan. Nandiyan din naman ang aming family and friends na sumusuporta sa amin.”

Believing in Forever
For Samuel and Adel, forever is a promise to hold on to. “Sa relasyon naming mag-asawa, ang tanging pinanghahawakan lang namin ay yung pagmamahalan namin sa isa’t isa.‘Yung binitiwan naming pangako sa harap ng Diyos: ‘Til death do us part. Kahit na mawala na kami, pero ‘yung love namin sa isa’t isa ay mananatili pa rin…kaya naniniwala ako na may forever!”

Celebrating Valentine’s Day
Adel is currently in Japan taking up her PhD so Mary Catherine, their daughter, will be Samuel’s date this Valentine’s Day. Since February 14 falls on a Sunday, he will certainly bring her to church. “After the mass, pupunta kami sa play yard for kids sa mall, kakain ng french fries–‘yun ang favorite ni Kat. Si Misis, online chat. Kakauwi niya lang dito nung December to January last year, kaya I believe na-celebrate na rin namin ‘yung Valentines.”

Samuel also revealed that Adel is now pregnant with their second baby.

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Take it from the country’s top weather forecasters—love may be unpredictable unlike the weather, but whenever or however it chooses to enter your life, be ready to respond with openness and faith.

Happy Valentine’s, everyone!