37-degree Celsius days to heat up ‘bangus’ fest

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines—With the temperature soaring, the city government has put in place contingency measures to ensure a “healthy” Bangus Festival celebration this month.

Aside from reminding residents to be on guard against six summer-related diseases, such as sore eyes, sunburn and stomach ailments, Dr. Leonard Carbonell, city health officer, advised festival spectators and participants to bring water to cool their bodies.

“With much heat expected this summer, everyone going outdoors should use sunscreen lotion to avoid sunburn. They should also wear appropriate clothes for summer,” Carbonell said.

Gregorio de Vera, chief meteorological officer of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration here, said the temperature was expected to rise until early next month.

The Bangus Festival opened on April 1 but the grand opening will be on April 25 through the “Gilon! Gilon!,” a street dancing competition. “Gilon” is the Pangasinan word for “bangus” (milkfish) harvest.

De Vera said the highest temperature recorded in this city so far since the summer season officially began on March 26 was 37 degrees Celsius on April 1.

“This can go higher,” he said. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon