“Rain, rain go away…”

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

LAST March, our weather experts from PAGASA predicted that when the rainy season comes this year, we will be suffering from La Niña, especially here in Luzon. More typhoons will bring rains that will flood the lowland areas, they said. (While we, Filipinos, are already accustomed to this kind of calamity, we always prepare for the worst).

But “expect the unexpected”, as the saying goes. The La Niña, supposed to come starting June and July, never happened. Instead, it was more like El Niño.

This prompted Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales to call for an oratio imperata (imperative prayer) for the whole Filipino nation, especially the Catholics, to ask for rains to save the crops of the farmers. And I believe the prayers were heard by the Almighty because the rains came this month brought by three typhoons.

But when people began to complain that the rains were already too much for them, especially in the provinces of flood-prone Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas and Metro Manila, many began to do another oratio imperata to minimize the rains so as not to cause damage to the crops and infrastructures.

I’m one of those asking the Lord for a no-rain and perfectly sunny day on August 26, the day of the bike race “PD Cycling Challenge”, which I am directing.

Even light rains will hamper the much-awaited affair. First and foremost, it will be hazardous for the whole entourage, especially the speeding contestants, and this will dampen enthusiasm. It might also cause multiple spills and inflict injuries to the riders like what happened in many races, even in the world-renowned bike event Tour de France.

Now I’m looking up the sky to ask God’s mercy not to pour rain on the day of the race. In the Good Book, His Angel Gabriel says, “With God, nothing is impossible.”

And I believe that without hesitation and I’m counting on His blessing. I, too, don’t mind being a child again to recite the famous elementary song, “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day, boys and men want to play.”

I hope He will listen to me. He’s a miracle worker, no doubt about it. Amen.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/)

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