First rain in May 2020 brings hope to Ilonggos

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Moderate to heavy rain showers were felt in parts of Guimaras and the city and province of Iloilo on May 3, 2020.

Fatalistic and superstitious as it may sound, many Ilonggos regard the first rain in May as a harbinger of hope and inspiration amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis in the region.

Most believe that May rains have healing properties and bring good luck and good health. It is also regarded as the onset of the rainy season, which is a boon to rice farmers.

But, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the moderate to heavy rain showers with lightning and strong winds that were felt in Guimaras and Iloilo were caused by a Low-Pressure Area (LPA).

“May ara kita LPA approaching southern part of Mindanao. Amo na maka-experience kita scattered rains in the coming days,” PAGASA Iloilo head Ronaldo Naragdao told Daily Guardian on Saturday.

Naragdao said that since the LPA is embedded in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), most parts of Western Visayas will experience scattered rains until Tuesday.

As of 3 p.m. Sunday, PAGASA data indicated that the LPA is 60 kilometers Northwest of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

PAGASA also forecast that the whole of the Visayas and Occidental Mindoro will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the trough of the LPA and the ITCZ.

“Moderate to strong winds from the East to Northeast will prevail over the eastern section of Visayas with rough seas. Possible flash floods or landslides are expected due to moderate to occasionally heavy rains,” PAGASA said.

Naragdao said that the rain in the first week of May also signals that the wet season is coming.

“Gapatimaan man ang ulan nga naexperensyahan naton subong na lapit na lang ang rainy season. Gina-expect namon ang onset of the rainy season will commence between the last week of May and the first half of June. Unlike last year, this time wala ini delay,” he said.

Slight El Niño was felt in some parts of the country last year.

There was also a slight delay in the onset of the rainy season which occurred on June 23, 2019, according to Naragdao.