Agua De Mayo

The heavy rains that fell yesterday afternoon in some parts of the country was a welcome surprise as it cooled down the temperature. It was a respite from the sweltering heat that the country has been experiencing in the last few weeks.

The rain yesterday was considered something special as it fell on the 1st day of May. Filipinos dubbed it as “Agua De Mayo” or Waters of May. It is believed that the rain on May 1st would bring good health and good luck. Some people even believed that these rains have curative properties that it can heal sickness.

Agua de Mayo became a trending topic on microblogging site Twitter yesterday and was widely discussed on other social networking sites.

My mother and grandmother used to tell me that I should bathe in the first rains of May as they said that it would bring good luck and my wishes would also come true.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA said that the rains were due to a prevailing low pressure area which was seen yesterday near Puerto Princesa City. In fact, Visayas and Mindanao have experienced rains in the last few days.

The weather bureau also clarified that summer has not yet ended and that the onset of the rainy season will not take place until the last days of May. It explained that the rains were due to a sudden local thunderstorm. Because of the high temperature, water also evaporated abruptly which formed water vapors that produced heavy rain clouds.