Manila's Tropical Ballet: A Day of Heat, Humidity, and the Promise of Rain on May 14th
Manila's Tropical Ballet: A Day of Heat, Humidity, and the Promise of Rain on May 14th The sprawling metropolis of Manila, a city that pulses with an irrepressible energy, where the ancient meets the modern amidst a vibrant tapestry of culture and commerce, awoke this Wednesday, the 14th of May, to the familiar embrace of tropical warmth. The air, even in the pre-dawn hours, was thick with humidity, a palpable presence that clung to the skin. The low temperature of the night had settled into a range of 25 to 26 degrees Celsius (around 77 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit), a mildness that offered little true respite from the heat that had built throughout the previous day. For the vendors already navigating the labyrinthine alleys of the markets, the jeepney drivers beginning their routes, and the city's early risers, the morning air was already a preview of the day's thermal intensity. The "feels like" temperature in these early moments was likely a degree or two higher...