PHNO-HL: HOTTEST DAY SO FAR: 39.50 CELSIUS IN TUGUEGARAO / A TRADITION GONE ASTRAY


 



HOTTEST DAY SO FAR: 39.50 CELSIUS IN TUGUEGARAO / A TRADITION GONE ASTRAY

BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA, APRIL 22, 2011 (STAR) By Charlie Lagasca – The temperature in northern Tuguegarao City reached 39.5 degrees Celsius last Tuesday, higher by .5 degrees than the highest recorded temperature in the area last year at the height of the El Niño phenomenon.

The temperature is also the hottest recorded so far in the country this year, and came a day after hailstorms hit some parts of the region, including this landlocked province.

Tuguegarao, the capital of Cagayan, Luzon's northernmost mainland province, is the holder of the hottest temperature ever recorded in the country at 42 degrees Celsius in the 1950s.

Also last Tuesday, Quezon City's temperature was reportedly monitored at 36.8 degrees Celsius, the hottest so far in the metropolis this year.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier said temperature could reach up to 40 degrees Celsius this summer.

Beware of heat stroke

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) again warned the public yesterday against heat stroke this summer, saying it can be fatal if ignored.

In a press statement, the PRC said there are precautionary measures that could be observed to prevent heat stroke, "an illness due to the body's erratic response to extreme heat."

"It characterizes extremely high body temperature - above 120 degrees Fahrenheit- and disturbance in sweating mechanism; thus, causing the skin to dry up and redden, and the heart to beat faster which fosters rapid and shallow breathing," the PRC said.

The PRC warned that summer heat could trigger heat stroke especially when one is at the beach or swimming pool and becomes unmindful of increasing body temperature.

"Some rarely know that this condition is in fact a serious matter, most especially when the victim is a child, an elderly or a person suffering from an injury," the PRC said.

The PRC maintained that aside from "the normal weakness (that) the victim can experience, he or she is also prone to suffer seizures and abrupt unconsciousness that could actually lead to fatal complications when left unaided."

To avoid heat stroke, the agency had advised the public to observe some first aid tips.

"Move the victim to a shady spot. He or she should be out of a direct heat source. If possible, try to bring him/her in an air-conditioned room to help lower his or her temperature," the PRC said.

To cool down a victim, the PRC claimed that alcohol should not be used.

"(Instead), soak a towel in cold water, and then drape it over the victim. If an electric fan is available, you may also want to make use of it to help lower the victim's temperature while waiting for professional medical help," the agency added.

The PRC warned against giving the victim "anything through the mouth."

"Give first aid for shock. If there is no suspected head, neck, back or leg injury, lay the victim flat and elevate his/her legs up to 8-12 inches from the ground," it said.

The victim's head should also be protected if he is having a seizure because this might result to "unnecessary bruises and fractures."

The PRC has advised the public to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, wear proper clothing and drink up to 15 glasses of water a day to avoid dehydration. – with Sheila Crisostomo

'Crucifixion during Holy Week a tradition gone astray' By Evelyn Macairan (The Philippine Star) Updated April 21, 2011 12:00 AM

(File photo shows a penitent on a cross during the annual re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ in San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga. VAL RODRIGUEZ]

Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto yesterday said the tradition of some people to be crucified as a demonstration of their sacrifice during Holy Week is one of the Filipino practices that has "gone astray."

"This tradition or Lenten practices are age-long practices and you cannot just renew or transform them. The Church asks you to deny yourself through mortification, prayer and sacrifice. So it is more of self control rather than physical infliction on our body. The body is the temple of God. It is something sacred and it is a gift of God," he added.

The Pampanga prelate added that there are some barangay officials who encourage crucifixion because they want to boost tourism in their area.

While he could not prove it, he said money is involved in these Good Friday crucifixions. Those who would agree to be tied or nailed to a cross would sometimes receive payments.

Instead of being nailed to a cross, those who are looking for repentance could instead listen to the exhortation of the Church. "The Church does not ask you to punish yourself corporally."

He said they could join the 14 Stations of the Cross and the meditation on the passion and death of Jesus. They could also sign up for Lenten recollections.

"But you know Christianity is not easy to learn... there are even those couples that still backslide... It is not easy to remain steadfast and faithful. Every year we encounter these problems," Aniceto said.

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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