Embracing the Chill - Our kind of Monsoon Memories in the Highlands of Benguet ( challenge #176)

It’s a cold and breezy day but I'm sending warm greetings to everyone here on Hive most especially to amazing @aseanhive community! I hope that everyone’s keeping warm and dry this monsoon season.”

The "ber" months have begun once again. It's time to feel chilly and cold again here in Ballay, Kabayan, Benguet. Our baranggay is nestled at the foothills of the famous Four Lakes and Mt. Pulag, this kind of weather has become part of our everyday life specially this "ber" months. And we called this as "BALOYBOY", a cold, rainy and windy weather. This is the weather were we need to wear thick clothes or sweaters to keep us warm.

Even without a storm, it often feels like we’re in the middle of one because of the cold winds, nonstop rain, and misty mornings along with the slight sunshines. Life here isn’t always easy, especially for us farmers. Our crops often get damaged and struggle to survive during this season. Sometimes We would prefer a dry month because we have more ways to make a our plants or vegetables thrive.

Because of the cold, non stop rain and wind, many people easily catch colds, coughs, or fever, so we usually stay indoors, especially the children. Sometimes the sun shines at 1pm until 3pm, this scenario was one reason why most people even the adult one can catch colds or even a flu. In this weather Our husbands still go out to work because, we cannot afford not to work since this is the only livelihood we are depending for us to live. Thankfully, there are a few crops that can survive this chilly weather, so those are what we plant most of the time. Sometimes, this kind of weather lasts until February but sometimes, only until December.

Interestingly, not every village experiences the same. Haha you might think it's weird but this is true. Sometimes, it’s only our area that’s rainy and windy, that’s why our village is called "Baloyboy" known for its unique and unpredictable climate. The other village is experiencing sunny weather but we on the other hand experiencing rainy and windy weather. But here in our baranggay we are all experiencing cold weather but not the rainy and windy one. Our clothes are dried inside our houses, thankfully there is a spin dryer that helps us dry our laundry.

And just like now, there’s another typhoon entering the Philippine area of responsibility but right in the Visayas or southern part of Luzon. This is the one reason why we are experiencing rain shower. Even though the storm’s center is down south in the Visayas or Mindanao, we can already feel its effects here in the highlands of Luzon. Being located in one of the highest parts of the country, we’re always among the first to feel the cold winds and rain.

During times like this, a warm drink is a must for us to stay hot and our favorite comfort is our very own "Barako coffee". It’s dark, aromatic, and strong that makes it perfect companion for a cold, rainy day. This rich brew, paired with our cool mountain air, makes our place truly one of a kind.

That's all about my monsoon stories here in Kabayan Benguet Philippines and I can't wait to read your monsoon stories too. Let's stay warm and dry everyone!

Again always remember to keep smiling 😊

Mabuhay!