Hey, it's Manila Day! Lucky people living in the City of Manila get to have a holiday; unfortunately, although I live in Manila I work in Quezon City, so-- no holiday.

It is also San Juan Day. Is it observed only in the city of San Juan, you may ask? No, for San Juan Day is the Feast of St. John the Baptist, which means it is time to get out the umbrellas and not just because Tropical Storm Feria is making for us.

All over the islands on San Juan Day, people play the same prank: they douse everyone with water in memory of the Baptist. Some use hoses, some use buckets, some use dippers, others even throw water balloons or more commonly, water in plastic bags. Everybody is fair game, and if you're on your way to class or the office in a clean uniform, too bad. At least it gives you a legitimate reason to be late, LOL.

As a student in high school and later in college, I remember having an umbrella always ready to dodge the thrown water on this day. Even if it is a hot and sunny day, jeepneys deploy the plastic tarps covering their windows to keep their passengers dry.

Perhaps I should take a taxi home today just to be safe, LOL.