×

 

march 31

Easterlies still dominate the eastern section of Luzon, bringing good weather condition all over the country including Metro Manila. However, there are still chances of isolated rain showers and/or thunderstorms in the afternoon or in the evening.

 

Make the most out of the good weather today with these 5 top outdoor activities you can do in the Philippines.
b

c

d

e

f

12401004_1072571196120051_2120674967097305972_n

What comes to your mind when you hear “Easter”? Here are some of the things you might want to know about it:

E – nd of Fasting.

After weeks of penitence and self-sacrifice through fasting, abstinence and repentance, many people including Christians consider Easter Sunday as a day of feasting. Families and friends gather to enjoy food and each other’s company. Reunions and get-togethers are just some of the common ways to celebrate the occasion.

A – ttending Vigil

The Easter celebration begins with an Easter Vigil in the evening of Black Saturday. It starts with darkness while the lights inside the church are turned off. Candles are the source of illumination, symbolizing Jesus as the light of the world, and that Christ has risen.

S – alubong

Filipino Catholics usually open the Easter Sunday through “salubong”, which means “welcome.” It is a ritual that happens before the Eastern dawn mass that involves life-sized statues of the risen Christ and Mother Mary. It also involves participation from the community, including an angel, to be portrayed by a little girl.

The angel is lifted on a harness or may also stand on a balcony. She then hoists the black veil from Mary’s head followed by the singing of the Alleluia. This marks the joy and festivity for the Easter celebration.

T – raditions

Easter traditions and customs vary in different parts of the globe. For instance, Greece celebrates with a mass followed by colourful fireworks, and a feast wherein bowls of a lamb’s stomach delicacy, called “patsas,” are served.

Meanwhile, egg fights are commonly observed in Bulgaria. They believe that anyone who keeps their egg unbroken will be successful throughout the year.

In the U.S., an Easter Egg Roll is hosted annually by the President. Held during Easter Monday, the children and parents enjoy the event filled with entertainment, games and the rolling of Easter eggs on the White House lawn.

E – gg Hunt

Easter eggs are linked and associated with pagan festivals during the spring celebration. The egg is considered as an ancient symbol of new life. For Christians, an Easter egg represents the resurrection of Jesus.

Today, many cultures include egg hunting during Easter Sunday. In the Philippines, kids enjoy the egg hunt as a part of the program in some churches, malls, amusement parks and more.

R – abbit or Bunnies

The Easter Bunny has also become one of the prominent symbols of the celebration. They are known to deliver the Easter eggs, which are symbols of new life.

Though a rabbit is not mentioned in the Bible, it is believed to stem from a pagan tradition. “Eostre”, a goddess of fertility, is symbolized by a bunny. Some say the Easter bunny was introduced to Americans by German immigrants, who brought stories of an egg-laying hare.

These are just some of the things you need to know about the most important day of the Lenten Season. Happy Easter, everyone!

Sources:
http://time.com/
www.mangosalute.com
http://www.whyeaster.com/
http://www.history.com/

For Christians across the globe, the Lenten Season is a solemn time for reflection and building a deeper relationship with God. Likewise, this season also signals a brief vacation, the perfect time to travel.

But if the Lenten Season is all about evaluating our spirituality, it makes sense to keep Mother Nature in mind as we explore her many wonders. Here are some tips on how you can be an earth-friendly traveler:

12884574_1205391752818211_1015835157_n

Look for eco-friendly accommodations.

Look for a hotel devoted to reducing carbon emissions and waste reduction, and has recycling policies. Find out if your hotel promotes environmental awareness to its employees and patrons.

12380438_1205392922818094_573476835_n

Limit energy use.

Lessen the use of air-conditioner and hot water. Don’t forget to turn off lights, television and the air-onditioner when you leave your hotel rooms.

12899683_1205392876151432_1660244604_n

Choose conservation-conscious tour operators.

If you opt to go on tour with a professional tour guide, research his or her company’s protocols and practices. The way they manage waste or treat local wildlife can impact the local ecosystem.

12595947_1205392896151430_1329293593_n

 

Choose earth-friendly transportation.

Once you reach your destination, go ahead and try their local public transport. Renting bicycles and walking are few of the most basic ways to reduce carbon emissions, too.

12674320_1205392256151494_448422589_n

 

Leave no traces behind.

Do not litter. Don’t write your names on walls, trees and anywhere you can think of. As the mountaineers say, take nothing but pictures and memories.

image

Protect the marine environment.

If you dive or snorkel, don’t touch reefs or marine animals. Also, don’t collect shells, corals or other natural items.

12895445_1205392372818149_1714048116_n

Respect the off-limits areas.

Whether you’re on a mountain, on an island, at the beach or simply hopping from one church to another for your Visita Iglesia, it is your responsibility to keep the sanctity of the area.

12674328_1205391796151540_640964205_n

If you’re still wondering what these tips have to do with Holy Week, try reflecting on Acts 4:24 in the Bible which says: “Sovereign Lord, you made the Heavens and Earth and the sea and everything in them.”

As stewards of this creation, it is our responsibility to take care of all our surroundings.

Have a meaningful Holy Week, everyone!


 

With research from:

www.tripstodiscover.com and wwf.panda.org

Last March 9, we were able to witness a Partial Solar Eclipse, thanks to clear skies. Tonight, it’s the moon’s turn to hold its own spectacle called the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
 

 
image

 
 

For the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse to take place, a Full Moon is required. Since penumbra refers to the shaded outer region of an object, during this phenomenon, the moon’s southern portion will have a slightly darker shade. This happens when the moon passes by the penumbra of the Earth. Its visual transformation may not be as dramatic as a Total Lunar Eclipse; still, it is an astronomical event worth observing.

 
 
image

 
 

The Penumbral Lunar Eclipse will happen tonight from 5:37 PM until 9:57 PM with its peak at 7:47 PM here in the Philippines. It can also be seen in Northern America, some parts of Southern America, much of Asia, Australia, the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic and Antarctica.
 

If you wish to witness a Total Lunar Eclipse, mark your calendars—particularly on January 31, 2018. Next year, in 2017, two lunar eclipses will occur— the Penumbral and the second Partial Lunar Eclipse.

Many of us are afraid of the dark. But there’s something good about the darkness— something that could very well light up our future.

Climate Change has become one of the most important moral issues in the world today. Everyone has the responsibility to take action against it even in the simplestway.

March marks the time of the year when nations unite in switching off lights for an entire hour. Organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour is a global event wherein all participating countries turn off all non-essential lights for 60 minutes.

But more than an event, this is also an annual movement that has created environmental and social impact. It aims to unite people, regardless of age and race, in protecting the planet.

Presently considered as the biggest environmental event in the world, Earth Hour began as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007, which was later on joined by more than 170 countries across the globe.

Any plans for Earth Hour? Here are some of the fun activities you can do in the dark:

1. Dine in candlelight.
Invite your friends over for an intimate dinner. A candle-lit meal may also be shared with your special someone. Bust out the wine, and talk about happy memories while enjoying your favorite food.

image

2. Relax.
Take a nap or sleep early. An hour of dim light is a great opportunity for you to relax your mind while enjoying some light music. You may also want to get a massage that would certainly give you a rejuvenated feeling.

image

3. Boost creativity.
The absence of light won’t make you less creative. Put some art in the dark! Though light is a very essential factor in photography, Earth Hour may be the perfect time to practice taking photos with a low light source.

image

4. Get moving.
Physical activities are also in during this hour. Get active by having a night run or walk around but make sure you take extra caution as there will be a limited source of light. You can also do yoga poses or try new exercise tricks inside your home. Support Earth Hour while getting fit and healthy!

image

5. Gaze at the sky.
If the weather is good and the sky is clear, sky gazers can have their fill of heavenly bodies! Get your mat, prepare your telescope, and go on a night picnic while enjoying the view of the stars and the moon.

image

There’s a lot to do during Earth Hour on March 19,Saturday. In the Philippines, there will be a “Switch-off Event” at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. Booths and exhibits will be open by 4:00 PM, while the switch-off ceremony will begin at 7:30 PM. Renewable technology and sustainable transportation will be showcased too! And just like any other event, all participants are advised to follow proper decorum and maintain cleanliness at all times.

Remember, protecting our planet goes beyond the Earth Hour. Protecting the environment is a lifetime commitment that each of us must take on.

Here are other ways that we can do everyday to help combat climate change:

d9027be9-90f2-4233-bedc-2dbd5ab8cad6

3897b6ac-bbef-40d4-a90d-bda88931da76

Sources:
World Wide Fund
Climate Change Commission
www.inhabitat.com

march 17

As Easterlies or winds from the Pacific ocean continue to dominate in the eastern section of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, good weather condition is expected in the the country. Take note, however, that there is still a chance of isolated rain showers and/or thunderstorms in the afternoon or in the evening.

And because “Tag-init” is almost here, it’s the season to travel! Here are a few activities you can enjoy in the country’s different provinces:

6

5

4

3

2

march 11

The Northeast Monsoon or Amihan is now back, affecting the Extreme Northern Luzon. Isolated light rains will be experienced in Batanes, and the Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands. Meanwhile, Easterlies continuously affect the eastern section of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Fair weather condition is expected in the rest of the archipelago, including Metro Manila, but there are still chances of localized thunderstorms in the afternoon or in the evening.

march 11.2

And because of the surge of the Amihan, gale warning was raised in the northern seaboards of Northern Luzon. It will be bringing wave height up to 3.4 to 4.5 meters, enough to overturn fishing boats and other small seacraft.

We’ve said goodbye to the love month and have welcomed the 3rd month of 2016. As we march on, take time to get an overview of this month’s expected weather:

Goodbye “Amihan”?
PAGASA says the termination of the Northeast Monsoon, locally known as “Amihan”, usually happens in the first half of March. Amihan is cold and dry air mass that comes from the Mainland China or Siberia. It started to affect the country during the “ber” months of last year, and peaked in January to February.

However, Amihan may be down to its last hurrah this month as a gradual increase in daily temperature is now being experienced in most parts of the country. Wind direction is also starting to shift from northeasterly to easterly. Thus, termination of the Northeast Monsoon is imminent.

According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Benison Estareja, a slight upswing of temperature in upland areas like Baguio City will be the most evident. Here are the average minimum and maximum temperatures in the key cities of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao this March.

Screen Shot 2016-03-09 at 7.29.27 PM

“Tag-init” bound
The weakening of Amihan means we are on our way to another season. Thus, we are already approaching the “tag-init” in the Philippines, wherein we’ll experience the effect of the easterlies.

Easterlies, on the other hand, are winds coming from the Pacific Ocean. As these winds intensify, air temperatures begin to soar, making the weather warmer and more humid.

Q: Do we really have “Summer” in the Philippines?
No we don’t. In Philippine context, the Hot and Dry season is the equivalent of summer. This marks the start of warm and humid days in the country.

The start of “tag-init” normally begins in the first or second week of March. Certain factors are observed before declaring the official Hot and Dry season. These include the consecutive rise of temperatures, termination of the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan, presence of a High-Pressure Area (HPA) and the prevailing Easterlies.

Screen Shot 2016-03-09 at 7.36.46 PM

Rain and Shine
Different weather systems, which may cause warm weather but may still pose chances of rains, are expected to affect the archipelago. These include the Northeast Monsoon, Tail End of a Cold Front, Low-Pressure Area (LPA), Tropical Cyclone, Ridge of High-Pressure Area and Easterlies.

Despite the approaching “tag-init”, the possible formation of weather disturbance remains. In fact, there is an average of 0 or 1 tropical cyclone this March. Hence, PAGASA continues to remind the public to stay vigilant against a possible “bagyo”.

Based on the climatological records of the weather bureau, a cyclone’s path may be a hit or miss: (a) A cyclone may make landfall particularly in Visayas or Southern Luzon (b) A cyclone may re-curve, moving farther away from the landmass.

Last March 2015, Tropical Cyclone “Betty” was recorded to enter the Philippine boundary and brought rains over some parts of Luzon.

mar9

 

via PAGASA-DOST
via PAGASA-DOST

 

Thought it was a unique experience to witness a Total Solar Eclipse today, March 9, 2015 at 8:59 AM 10:14 AM in the Philippines, we only experienced a Partial Solar eclipse, wherein the Sun’s surface area was covered by the Moon by up to 80%. This is because this year, the Moon is positioned in between the Sun and the Earth–a position that enabled Indonesia, on the other hand, to experience a Total Solar Eclipse.

via PAGASA-DOST
via PAGASA-DOST

A Total Solar Eclipse is a rare phenomenon that happens once in every 18 months, and can be seen identically after 18 years and 11 days, which is also called as “Saros Cycle.”

Photo courtesy of Ramon Santiago (View of Partial Solar Eclipse over Pasig City)
Photo courtesy of Ramon Santiago (View of Partial Solar Eclipse over Pasig City)

Here are more facts about Solar Eclipses:

 

• Solar eclipses have 3 types: the Partial, Annular and the Total. The Partial Eclipse doesn’t cover the Sun completely. In the Annular Eclipse, the Moon is able to block the Sun, but the solar eclipse is surrounded by a corona or “halo” because of either two things: 1) the Earth is far from the Moon, or 2) the Earth is closer to the Sun. These circumstances limit the coverage of the Moon. The Total Eclipse happens when the Moon completely obstructs the Sun. The only thing visible in this phase is a fainter solar corona.
• The Total Solar Eclipse today has a maximum time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds. But last July 16, 2000, the Pacific Ocean, Eastern Asia and Australia held the longest recorded Solar Eclipse with 106 minutes and 25 seconds. Meanwhile, the Total Solar Eclipse that happened on August 13, 1859 had the shortest recorded time with just 3 seconds.
• The Lunar Eclipse can only be seen during the Full Moon at night, while the Solar Eclipse occurs in the daytime with the New Moon.
• When there is a Total Solar Eclipse, unfortunate are those who are in the North and South Poles as only a Partial Solar Eclipse can be viewed.
• For those who did not see the Partial Solar Eclipse, the next Total Solar Eclipse can be seen in the Philippines 26 years from now! Mark your calendars on April 20, 2042!

 

 

Source(s):

 

http://www.space.com/30669-10-surprising-lunar-eclipse-facts.html

Solar Eclipse Facts

http://www.livescience.com/32671-whats-a-solar-eclipse.html