Author Archives: Yami

Tips for Driving in the Rain

1.  Wait Until the Weather Improves

If you feel uncomfortable driving in the rain and can postpone your trip or commute, wait until the weather improves before driving. There is no reason to put yourself in danger if driving in wet conditions is not necessary.

2 Double Check Your Car’s Equipment

Make sure that your car’s equipment is in working order before encountering rainy weather. Check your headlights, tail lights, and windshield wipers to make sure that they will work efficiently when they are needed. Also check the tread of your vehicle’s tires. Balding tires can severely reduce traction on wet roadways. Most states require tires to have a tread depth of at least 2/3 to stay on the road

3.  Slow Down

Not only should you adhere to the posted speed limit when driving in wet weather conditions, you should drive considerably slower than you normally would. Wet roads are very dangerous. Your vehicle’s reaction time is much slower when it is raining. Reduced speed is imperative in rainy weather.

4. Turn On Your Headlights

Most states require drivers to turn on their vehicles’ lights while driving in rain. Even if it is only misting, turning on your vehicle’s headlights will increase both your own visibility and other drivers’ ability to see your car on the road.

5. Use Your Windshield Wipers

While this may seem like common sense, some people forget to turn on their windshield wipers in light rain. Most car windshield wiper speed is adjustable to clear moisture from the glass in a light mist or in a heavy downpour. There are also several products available that can be sprayed or wiped onto the glass and claim to defer the collection of rainwater. Your wipers should be replaced if you can hear a scraping noise or see some streaking from the blades

6.  Maintain a Safe Distance Between Cars

Keep a greater distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you. Stopping your vehicle will be more difficult when driving in the rain. Maintain a distance of several car lengths between your car and other vehicles.

7.  Avoid Heavy Braking

Try to slow your vehicle by taking your foot off the accelerator earlier than you normally would in preparation to slow down or stop. Don’t use cruise control so your attention on using both the gas and brake are in tune.

8.  Watch Out For Standing Water

Driving through standing water can cause hydroplaning to occur. Which is when you lose traction and skid across the surface of the road. To avoid hydroplaning, drive around places where water has collected by changing lanes or safely steering around such areas. Six inches of water can cause loss of control on the road

9.  Let Off The Gas When Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning is one of the most common car accidents in the rain because drivers can lose control. If your car hydroplanes, calmly take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction that the front of your car needs to go. Avoid making sudden turns or slamming on your brakes.

10.  Ventilate Your Car

Rain causes humidity levels to increase. You may find that your vehicle’s windows become foggy when you operate your vehicle while it is raining. Most cars’ ventilation systems include a function that will work to reduce this type of fog that develops on the interior of your windows and windshield. It may be necessary to pull over if you are no longer able to see through your windows. Lower the temperature inside your car quickly by cracking a window if your vent system doesn’t help Staying safe while driving in the rain is simple if you make a conscious effort to employ these safety precautions. Remember that reducing your speed and turning on your lights are two of the simplest and most effective ways of reducing the chances of an accident caused by wet weather.

Source: https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/how-to-drive-in-rain/

The Newly-Renovated Lagusnilad Pedestrian Underpass

Have you been to the newly rehabilitated Lagusnilad Underpass, lately? You would be amazed at how it looks now. It used to have graffiti-laden walls and dilapidated floors, but now it’s replaced by artistic murals.

Even if you were not from Manila, you would be proud to see how clean and green Lagusnilad underpass, which connects Intramuros to the Manila City Hall.

Photo credit: Dennis Gil

Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso led its soft opening on Monday (August 24, 2020).

The murals, according to reports, were created to boost awareness of Filipino art, history, and culture and to bring art to public places. The murals highlight important events in the Philippine history and vibrant photos of Manila’s landmarks, such as Jones Bridge and the New Binondo Chinatown Arch.

There is also a portion in the murals dedicated to frontline workers in the battle against COVID-19, such as medical and delivery workers.

Visitors and passersby would be delighted to see vertical gardens, and signages written in Baybayin to help people navigate the area.

An interactive info desk was placed to provide information about the city.

For those who worry about slippery floors especially the elders worry not. The city government used non-skid tiles for the commuters’ protection especially during the rainy season.

Photo credit: Richmond Chi

The underpass was also given ample lighting and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

For those asking about the iconic Books from Underground, it gets to keep its place in the underpass. It was moved near the Manila City Hall entry/exit point of the underpass. The books are stacked in new bookshelves.

The renovation project worth P5 million was made possible by donations from private companies and national government agencies.

Lagusnilad rehabilitation is a collaboration of the city government with the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture alumni and faculty Arch. Juanito Malaga, John Benedict Fallorina, Sean Patrick Ortiz, Leon Centeno Tuazon; and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for the underpass’ overall design.

The mural artists: Marianne Rios, Jano Gonzales, and Ianna Engano; while those who made the signages are Raven Angel Rivota, Edrian Garcia, and John Leyson. 

Source: mb.com.ph

Palawan Voted Best Island in the World Anew

The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Thursday (July 9, 2020) the citation of Palawan as the Best Island in the World by renowned travel publication, Travel + Leisure.

“Palawan reclaimed its rightful place in the World’s Best Awards. The citation as the Best Island in the World is all the more important because this is voted upon by the readers of the prominent Travel + Leisure (T+L) magazine,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Puyat recently checked the readiness of Palawan, now a four-time winner of the world’s best island award.

Travel + Leisure writer Sara Clemence said, “though it’s difficult to reach from many parts of the world, once travelers get there they can dive in World War II wrecks, explore old-growth rain forests, and paddle one of the world’s longest subterranean rivers at Puerto Princesa”.

“The landscape and scenery are just gorgeous. It offers the most beautiful beaches, resorts, and scenery anywhere,” the travel magazine quoted a fan describing Palawan.

“It’s wonderful to see that our rehabilitation and sustainable development efforts last year, especially in El Nido and Coron, were well-received by tourists everywhere,” added Puyat.

Another popular destination in the Philippines, Boracay, made it to No. 14 in T+L’s World Best Island list and fifth in Asia this year.

This is the third citation reaped by the Philippines since community quarantines were enforced in various parts of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Forbes magazine earlier ranked the Philippines among the seven countries “that have the potential to become a major tourist destination in a post-COVID world’. Last month, Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) cited the Hidden Beach in El Nido, Palawan, as one of the 30 Best Beaches in the World.

Source: Travel + Leisure | The Top 25 Islands in the World