Agua de Mayo

The heavy First rains of May that  Filipinos experience   is  a respite from the sweltering heat in the country. Popularly known as “Agua de Mayo” (Waters of May), Pinoys believed that  First rains of May  is something special.as these would bring good luck and better health.

 Officials of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) explained that parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, cooled down after experiencing rains Tuesday afternoon due to a prevailing low pressure area. They added that rains were spawned by “sudden local thunderstorm.” Because of the day-long high heat, Javier said, water evaporated abruptly, formed water vapors and droplets, producing heavy rain clouds.

Agua de Mayo/First Rain of May was believed to be the most blessed rain of the year as it can  heal sickness, ailments, smoothens the skin & cures ailments.

 Many years back, barrio children would expect rain to fall by the first day of May.  These children would love to play during the first rain in May with the belief that it had curative effects on skin rushes caused by excessive heat and exposure to the rays of the simmering sun.

In his fiction book “The Great Philippine Jungle Energy Café,” Alfred Yuson hinted on this, writing, “Water from the heavens as salve for spirit, colic, cough and cold. Water for the parched season of nothing to be thankful for. By tradition blessed and holy, oh, as the fluids of Mother Mary, o first rainwater of May, when all the dust fell prey to the rataplan, the drumming…Until then summer would stay sultry, could only be so…Agua de Mayo!”

Water from the first rains of May is also considered “holy”, with some collecting it and placing it in Holy Water receptacles of Roman Catholic churches.For others, bathing the babies from agua de mayo will keep the child's growth a healthy one.If a person were to make a wish while bathing, it would come true.

For the farmers, the first rain of May calls for a celebration, either to celebrate the bountiful harvest during the summer or welcoming the planting season comes June.  It may be a blessing from heaven after a long draught (summer).

Instituto Cervantes explained this expression as used in the Spanish language. It said "April and May are months when rain is extremely important for plants and fruit trees blossom in all their beauty. If it rains a lot in these months, the result is a good harvest enough for the next year. For this reason it's so important rain in May. Now it's not difficult to think about the meaning of the expression "Me viene como agua de mayo", that is to say that something comes just at the right moment and thus it makes someone happy. So, when we receive extra money, we say that they come "como agua de mayo. "