Fresh from the Philippines close to 20 autumns ago, I was told: “Pare, after three summers or maybe less, you will begin to hate the frigid Arctic air and the snow.”
Dislike the brutal icy atmosphere? Yes. However, obeying marching orders like “Bundle up” “Wear warm” and “Get layered” makes perfect sense and results in better conditions.
Payo ni Lolo Asyong: “Huwag magmatigas sa lamig kung ayaw mong lumamig at manigas.”
But the snow, a big NO! Snow astonishes me, ever since my first brush with it in Europe in 1986. I absolutely like and totally embrace snow. Be real. One just cannot do away with snow in Canada.
And even though snow literally melts on me and makes me wet, I like to see the figurative side of it.
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Lolo Asyong is more than right. Newcomers from the tropics have to patiently wait for the natural course of things to work its magic. A kabayan’s body will eventually adjust to the environment. Call it acclimatization.
For purposes of discussion, walang kinalaman ang balat sibuyas at balat kalabaw dito.
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Paul John Cana, in an Esquire article, wrote: The coldest day in the Philippines was 6.3 degrees Celsius, registered in Baguio City on January 18, 1961. Meanwhile, the (Philippine) National Communication on Climate Change came out with a still unverified report that Baguio City had a 3-degree Celsius reading in January 1903. Officials of the Mt. Pulag National Park in Benguet, in another report, said temperatures in the area reached zero degree Celsius on February 15, 2017.
It is Canadian mid-winter. “Ibalik niyo ako sa Pilipinas!”
On the other hand, the hottest weather in the Philippines was twice recorded at 42 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao, Cagayan on April 29, 1912 and May 11, 1969. Like Canada’s wind chill in winter, there exists a “feels like” for hot weather in the Pearl of the Orient Seas. In 2020, PAG-ASA measured a feels-like 55-degree Celsius high in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
It is Canadian mid-winter. “Ang sarap pa ring mamuhay sa Canada.”
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Winter has its own great reasons for being a preferred season.
Panandalian mang humimlay at tuluyang matunaw ang niyebe (snowflake) sa tungki ng ilong o sa dulo ng dila, isang bata ang masayang magbabalita: “Inay, ang snowflake, lumanding sa dila ko. Malamig nga, hindi naman masarap.” At ang ina’t ama’y nakangiti, habang kasalo ang anak sa pagnamnam ng chocolate chip ice cream.
“Noooo!” But it was too late. Anne was on her back, her weight displacing the soft fluffy snow on the ground. She stared at the gray sky and flapped her arms and feet. Her face was aglow with glee. “Look, Lola, a snow angel!” she exclaimed. Lola said: “Forever, you are our sweet heaven-sent cherub.”
Hinigpitan ni Karel ang sintas ng kanyang ice skates. Isinuot rin niya ang helmet. Buong loob na hawak ang hockey stick, marahan ngunit maingat siyang dumausdos sa gitna ng rink. Malaki ang tiwala sa sarili, handa na si Karel na makipaglaro sa kapwa-bata na nais matuto at malaman kung bakit kinagigiliwan ng bansang Canada ang hockey. Pangarap ni Karel ang araw na may sisigaw ng “she shoots, she scores!”
Completely wanting from Philippine sports and games, tobogganing is absolutely alien to Lucy’s understanding. Pero okay lang, lahat ay may first time, sabi niya. Bagamat may kaba sa dibdib, umupo si Lucy sa toboggan. From the top of the white hill, she spotted where she would end the swift downhill trip. A push and the shrieking Lucy was on her way. Ilang segundo pa, tapos na ang thrill. Akay-akay ang toboggan, mabilis na inakyat ni Lucy ang pinanggalingan, namalik-upo at sumigaw nang “Here I go again!” Sa tutuo lang, nakaka-enjoy panoorin ang bisita na enjoy na enjoy. Very soon, nagyaya na si Lucy: “Halika, umuwi na tayo. Ang lamig na.”
Matagal ka na bang naninirahan sa Canada? Katuwaan lang. Bulabugin natin ang kadalisayan ng puting kumot. Maghanap ng footprints sa snow at hulaan kung ano ang may-ari nito. “Sa squirrel yan.” “Sinabi nang sa usa yun.” “Pustahan, may raccoon na nagdaan dito.” “Yung nasa likod mo, sa oso, ‘di ba?” They’re off and running! Huwag nang magtaka o magulat kung makakita ng bakas ng paa ng tao. Posible yan. Penguin nga, nakayapak sa yelo.
Of course, anyone may leave imprints of love on snow.
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Mental and physical inconveniences will undoubtedly and unceasingly stain the good image of winter. People just have to live with the strain and stress of the season, just like learning to live with lurking toxics and the viruses.
Athletes in the 2022 Beijing Olympics certainly find it challenging but exhilarating to beat the winter blues as they go for gold and the other medals. Does each of them bring home a certificate of participation too?
Rudolph and Santa Claus have returned to the North Pole. The holidays are over and whining will not help. Instead, yearn for another “White Christmas” as portents of more gliding no-two-alike snowflakes are yet to come, perhaps until early spring. By the way, celebrating Christmas goodwill all year round is a win-win way.
Nevertheless, be delighted when the show of love to Frosty is seen. The legendary snowman continues to be relevant, wintry season after wintry season. Frosty still brings joy to creative recreational artists who mould and breathe a sense of life to snow orbs in lawns and fields.
Somewhere, a priceless smile sparkles after a playful child lets a snowball fly towards an elder. Remember, it is not a fight; it is fun. By the way, it is amazing when a child sloshes through, even jumps into, puddles and slush.
Kids look up to but never envy their loving heroes-without-capes who are digging out of a blizzard. Nor will children hashtag Mother Nature, who seems not up to a sunny or rainy meltdown.
Hay, snow, come if you must. Pero mas cute ka kung magagamit sa halo-halo.
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Undeniably, winter is a season to have fun and be festive (Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Chinese Lunar New Year, St. Patrick’s Day, birth and so and so anniversaries, the list just goes on and on).
Beyond that, winter also displays the innate ability of people to keep warm, literally and figuratively.
Following heavy snowfalls of late, warm hearts fulfilled acts of random kindness.
First: On top of Mang Tomas’s to-do list was a trip to the convenience store. A trying task, he had to carefully navigate through a very narrow path of booted-in and scraped-out icy snow. About 25 metres ahead were two other persons, one standing still on a semi-cleared driveway and another inching towards him. When the latter had passed, Mang Tomas stopped, stepped aside on packed snow, signalled the former to have his way and waited. About three metres away, he glanced at Mang Tomas, placed his palm on his chest and said “Thank you.” Mang Tomas was speechless and overwhelmed.
Second: Grocery runs thrill Aling Marites for two reasons: Escaping the stay-home boredom and knowing if toilet paper has flown off the shelves. But the aftermath of the blizzard was different. So near to ongoing traffic after crossing a busy street, Aling Marites tried to snake through a thin trail lining hardening snow on what was a wide walkway in better times. She made it halfway; but lost her footing and slid. Although unhurt, she awkwardly sat on her bottoms. A young guy reached out, offered a hand and pulled her up. “Thank you very much,” Aling Marites said. The guy smiled.
Third: After the snow storm, people unconditionally lent the shovel so that their friends and neighbours could also dig their way out of the mess. To these caring folk, you have our endless gratitude and respect.
Fourth: (A non sequitur): The rise-and-shine alarm buzzed. Dismayed to see a dim sky staring back from beyond the glass pane, I quivered to greet a frigid morning. To dare the outdoors was impractical. So, I peeked out the window, hoping to see a fat-tailed dwarf lemur resting on the pine tree across me. There was no lemur, only two squirrels cavorting with cones and needles. Endemic to Madagascar, lemurs are enviable for their natural ability to hibernate in tree holes for seven months. If only humans could hibernate, I would settle for the comfy couch. I like to sleep and dream too, you know. But that is another winter story.
(The narrative): Anyways, from the window, I observed an elderly man pushing a small cart on the street. Wary and cautious, he took calculated steps as he moved alongside the flow of traffic. Time after time, he stopped, looked over his shoulder, waved casually to drivers who passed him by, and headed again to where he wanted to be to get what he needed to have. He might have assessed that it was easier, faster and safer to appropriate a narrow lane of the street and cruise with the cars, than to risk a bone-breaking slide or fall on a sidewalk muddled with a mix of snow, ice and slosh.
(Just asking: Whose responsibility and accountability is it to keep walkways, pathways and pedestrian lanes free from impediments that endanger life and limb? I just got shovelled; but your guess is as good as mine.)
An hour or two later, I watched the same elderly man move a bit more confident and faster, as he faced the traffic. I bet he got home without a hitch.
Thus, it is but fitting to appreciate the drivers who slowed down, perhaps to lesser than a snail’s pace. Thank you to the drivers who kept vehicles a safe distance away from the elderly man. Nobody honked; the elderly man silently walked on. Gratitude goes to all the good souls who prove that Toronto’s streets are not hazardous to anyone’s health anytime of the year, particularly during winter.
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Be physically wealthy and fiscally healthy. Be well, stay safe. #####
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PICTURE with caption below:
On The Ice: The need to be physically and mentally active is a constant in every child. Although she has tried soccer and basketball, Zoe developed a passion for hockey, Canada’s favourite game. Public programs and corporate sponsorships have helped her sharpen an athletic mindset, her skills and talent. Above, Zoe joins Dad Francis on the ice in an outdoor rink. Photo by Butch Galicia
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