Annually, March signals the celebration of National Women’s Month. On this special time of the year, the country commends the achievement of women in various fields.
Even PAGASA’s forecasting team is blessed with hardworking women, who ensure the delivery of timely and accurate weather forecasts—something that may spell the difference between life and death in this country.
Let’s get to know these amazing women.
** GLAIZA ESCULLAR **
Escullar’s journey to PAGASA began in the afternoon of May 2007, when she heard a radio interview that talked about the weather bureau.
The guest that afternoon was Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz who had been part of PAGASA from 1982 until he retired in 2010. He became one of the few international meteorologists in Australia, but chose to go back in the country in 2011. Currently, he is the resident meteorologist of GMA network.
“Right after my birthday, I heard Mang Tani over a radio program where Miss Karen (radio anchor) asked him to explain the process of applying in the weather bureau. Mang Tani then mentioned the MTC (Meteorologist Training Course) training.”
Escullar added that she has just left her work at a Business Process Outsourcing company when the event happened. But the application itself became a test of her patience. “When I arrived at PAGASA, I was told that the application was already closed. I told them about Mang Tani’s interview over the radio and they eventually accepted my application.”
Instead of undergoing a training program, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sent her and some 29 colleagues to the Ateneo Graduate School.
Three years later, she was offered a position in the weather bureau.
The 30-year-old Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate of the Polytechnic of the University (PUP) Taguig shares that she feels fulfilled whenever she receives calls from the public, expressing gratitude to PAGASA.
Advantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
People in the workplace are more considerate with women but of course, you don’t take advantage of that.
Disadvantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
Women have more health risks. Also, radio shows prefer male forecasters. They still feel uncomfortable to get female weather forecasters on board.
How do you plan to celebrate Women’s Month?
Actually, we didn’t know that it was Women’s Month, but we are going to Calaguas Island.
Are men and women equal?
They cannot be equal. There are always physical differences, but men and women match in intellect.
What is the essence of being a woman?
As a woman, you should highlight your strengths and not your weaknesses.
* * GLADYS SALUDES * *
Saludes never dreamt of becoming a weather forecaster, but fate always has its way.
Right after graduating with a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) in 2006, Saludes ventured into her own Internet café business.
Later on, a relative told her about the Meteorologist Training Course. She applied for it, and was sent to the Ateneo Graduate School by DOST. Eventually, she was offered a slot in the weather bureau.
Saludes humbly shared that she, along with Escullar, pioneered the presence of PAGASA in social media in 2010. As of this posting, PAGASA’s Twitter and Facebook accounts have 1.5 million and 3.63 million followers respectively.
Advantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
Actually, my co-workers, along with the media were delighted when they found out that there were already female forecasters in PAGASA!
Disadvantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
When menstrual cramps strike, I have to ask my colleagues to take over. Sometimes, I can’t come to work because of dysmenorrhea.
How do you plan to celebrate Women’s Month?
I’ll celebrate summer since it’s March already. I also plan to be fitter.
Are men and women equal?
Probably, there are still some who believe that women cannot do physical work.
What is the essence of being a woman?
All women grow old. Some stay single and will never get the chance to bear children. But for me, the essence of becoming a woman is the ability to influence a person to fear God.
* * SHELLY JO IGNACIO * *
Being part of the weather bureau is a career shift for this 24-year-old lady.
She graduated with a degree in Education majoring in Mathematics at the Bulacan State University, but she never thought of working PAGASA.
In 2012, one of her student’s mothers, who happened to be working at PAGASA, offered her to try the Hydrologists Training Course, and the rest, as they say is HERstory.
Disadvantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
It’s a challenge to take public transportation for long distances. Men have no problem with this; they can squeeze themselves into crowded buses.
How do you plan to celebrate Women’s Month?
I will perform better in my work. As you can see, there are only a few women in this field.
Are men and women equal?
Though one can’t deny that there’s still discrimination, I believe that the standards are now equal. In fact, there are already female welders and drivers. Also, women are more trusted to do office work, as they are more meticulous.
What is the essence of being a woman?
I always believe that behind every successful person—no matter the gender— is a woman.
* * LORIEDIN DE LA CRUZ * *
At 22, de la Cruz is the youngest female weather forecaster in PAGASA.
She spent the first two years of studying Bachelor of Science in Meteorology in Bicol University, but later on transferred to DOST-PAGASA to spend the remaining years of her course.
De la Cruz then got the much-needed exposure to PAGASA, and while working as a financial advisor in an insurance company, she was initially hired by PAGASA as a weather observer.
Advantage of being a woman working in PAGASA
People are more considerate to women. They consider your safety when they plot out office schedules. They understand that you can’t be overworked.
Disadvantage of being a woman working at PAGASA
As a single woman, I cannot see any disadvantage. I think this would apply more to working moms, since they have to care for their kids–not to mention the hazard and stress.
How do you plan celebrate Women’s Month?
By the end of the month, on Holy Week, I plan to go to Baguio for two days.
Are men and women equal?
Yes. I have not experienced any form of discrimination from school and in the workplace.
What is the essence of being a woman?
I always hear that the essence of being a woman is bearing a child. But what about those who are called to singlehood? For me, it depends on your situation and God’s will.
______________
This year’s theme for the International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality,” while the Philippines celebrates Women’s Month with the battle cry “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda.”
Needless to say, these two phrases encapsulate the desire to achieve parity between genders in the society.
So whether you are a student who wakes up daily with a sumptuous breakfast prepared by your mom, or a husband who gets encouragement from your wife, now is the time to appreciate the influence of your mother, daughter, wife, auntie or grandmother in your life! Give them a hug or tell them how grateful you are for having them.
Happy Women’s Day to our female forecasters in PAGASA and to all the women in the world!
Interviewees’ answers were translated from Filipino to English.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is the top source of information whenever weather disturbances threaten the country.
Aside from providing various weather data such as the 24-hour public weather forecasts, weather bulletins, farm weather forecasts, and shipping forecasts, the bureau also offers live broadcast reports for different media outlets.
The busiest days at the PAGASA office is when a tropical cyclone threatens the country. Through constant monitoring, PAGASA is able to disseminate weather updates—a must in ensuring public safety.
These updates are not all real-time; some of them come in the form of weather forecasts, which predict the different aspects of the tropical cyclone—its wind speeds, gustiness, track, and location among others. Weather forecasts are important as they allow different sectors of society, such as the government, private sectors and the general public, to prepare for disaster mitigation and management.
If forecasts are all about anticipating the cyclone’s movement, how then are they made? To learn how weather experts gather and interpret information, we go behind the scenes, right at the heart of the action.
Collective effort
Fortunetellers use cards, crystal balls, and palm lines to predict the future. In PAGASA’s case, a scientific-based approach is needed in creating weather forecasts.
Assessment of past conditions. Because history is a great teacher, forecasters first analyze past weather conditions. To pinpoint any developments, atmospheric models, data and climatological records are compared to current weather conditions. Climatological data, which is updated every ten years, refers to the average data based on a 30-year period.
Assessment of the current weather situation. Before PAGASA can look into the future, forecasters have to fully understand the “initial condition,” which refers to present weather conditions.
Prediction of the atmospheric state. By assessing past and current weather conditions, forecasters can now give an approximation of future weather conditions by applying the laws of Physics and using the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, a computer program where outputs consist of different weather parameters often used as guidance in forecasting.
Because the projected results are numerous, brainstorming sessions take place among the typhoon forecasters, regular forecasters and senior forecaster.
For every tropical cyclone, there are two typhoon forecasters working for 13 hours (one-day shift and one-night shift). By focusing on the tropical cyclone, the forecasters are able to deliver weather bulletins and shipping warnings.
Data is carefully weighed to come up with the most accurate weather forecast.
Observation. Data from 58 synoptic stations, including the Automatic Weather Station (AWS), satellites and radars, are transmitted to the central office through SMS phone, fax, internet, radio phone and Global Telecommunication System (GTS).
Plotting and analysis of weather data and Climatological records. Gathered data are plotted into maps, using symbols and numbers for analysis. During this stage, available climatological data are compared to predict future weather scenarios.
Modeling. For a deeper analysis, data from models like the Global Spectral Model (GSM), Navy Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM), Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) and Consortium for Small-scale Modeling (COSMO) are used to compare with all the data on hand.
With all the plotted and compared data on hand, brainstorming will now take place among the typhoon forecaster, regular forecasters and senior forecaster before finalizing the output.
Through the use of gathered and computed data, plus the experience of forecasters, a weather forecast that is nearly accurate is served.
Forecasts and warnings are finalized. After the final assessment of all forecasters and upon the approval of the senior forecaster, weather forecasts and weather bulletins are established. The tropical cyclone’s location, strength, velocity, and the Public Storm Warning Signals are also integrated.
Reports are posted. Before the final weather bulletins and forecasts are made public, the regular forecasters, typhoon forecaster and senior forecaster sign the documents. This is to confirm that every piece of information written is correct and based on all available data.
If a tropical cyclone is forecast to make a landfall, PAGASA will automatically hold a press conference. This is to inform the media about the scenarios expected over the weather disturbance. Press briefing is also done every six hours with the release of the weather bulletin. This is to update the media regarding its strength, location and speed.
We may not think much of it, but forecasts are a product of meticulous processes. Weather forecasts are gems, and must not be taken lightly. With all the literal storms we’ve weathered, we, Filipinos, know all too well how disaster preparedness can spell the difference between life and death.