The heatwave across Europe, particularly in the UK and Spain, has left residents facing extreme temperatures. While authorities and health experts are releasing detractors to deal with the heat, a Filipino American author’s tongue-in-cheek thread to adapt to the weather has brought some relief online.
In a rare occurrence, since heatwave alerts were sent out in various European countries, people from tropical countries have been poking fun and sharing tips to deal with the super hot and sweltering summers. An author, Jill Damatac, wrote an engaging thread with many popular Filipino practices, from what to wear to what to drink and eat for daily walks. From afternoon TV show recommendations to late-night dinner menus and more.
Beginning his whimsical thread, sprinkled with humor and sarcasm, she urged men to wear the “Duster Dress”—a large, loose dress, preferably made of cotton or linen—on sweaty summer days.
✨HOW TO STAY COOL IN THE UK HEAT WAVE (A THREAD FROM ME, A PHILIPPINE TROPICAL BABY):✨
1. Wear the loosest (it’s a word today) cotton or linen you can find, preferably a big baggy dress (men, this is a good time to try on a dress). In the Philippines, we call this a dust dress pic.twitter.com/QsnJivfmR7
— Jill Damatac (@JillDamatac) July 18, 2022
Moving beyond what to wear, she set out a schedule to follow, with certain tasks for certain hours of the day. “From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., don’t move. Don’t do anything. Open all the windows, but keep the sun out. Put on a soap opera,” asking people to watch shows.
Considering that air conditioners would be rare in the UK, she also informed people about cross ventilation using fans and paypay, a hand fan made from palm leaves. “With the windows open (and the sun out!) turn on all the electric fans for that sweet cross breeze. And don’t forget your payment,” she wrote, adding a video showing how to use it.
3. With the windows open (and the sun out!) turn on all the electric fans for that nice breeze. And don’t forget your tip (or give your nephew a few pesos to do it for you, he can treat himself to a taho later when the taho man comes your way) pic.twitter.com/aPgqMfhpTO
— Jill Damatac (@JillDamatac) July 18, 2022
Encouraging people to just sit back and relax on the sofa, the author asked people to catch episodes of Eat Bulaga! the longest running midday show in the Philippines and falls asleep. After a quick siesta, she then directs people to the banlaw, a quick shower. “No need for soap or shampoo here: that’s what the morning shower and the nighttime bath are for,” she explained in case anyone was confused.
5. It’s time for a quick midday banal! Step into the shower with your bucket of cold water and a tabo to wash away the sweat of sleep. Or use the shower head, if you are very careful. No need for soap or shampoo here: that’s what the morning shower and nighttime bath are for pic.twitter.com/ZegToukqQ5
— Jill Damatac (@JillDamatac) July 18, 2022
And after a nap and a bath, of course it’s time to enjoy some refreshing dishes to energize your soul. Asking people to enjoy taho, a traditional Filipino sweet dish made of fresh silken tofu, arnibal and sago pearls. Or an iced coffee if taho isn’t available.
7. Around 4:00 p.m., wander down to the beach. Lol there is no beach, because you are in England, and that strip of sand with dark water and frozen brown sea is not a beach. Take another nap from immigrant depression.
— Jill Damatac (@JillDamatac) July 18, 2022
9. 20:00. After dinner, hot flush ennui and drowsiness from carbohydrates. Shake it off and get Junior out for some karaoke. Sing Lionel Richie at the top of your lungs, freaking out on multiple bottles of Red Horse, until 5am. Wait, 11 p.m. We are in the UK. We don’t like to have fun here.
— Jill Damatac (@JillDamatac) July 18, 2022
While most people might want to stay inside to beat the heat, Damatac asked people to get outside. From a walk on the beach to a barbeque in the garden, she even asked people to go to a karaoke bar and drink themselves to sleep without change.
10. Shower at night, where the karaoke can continue. Move the carpet down, e.g. it is very hot upstairs. Fall asleep with memories of doing this as a kid in Manila between blackouts with all your cousins, laughing through stories of manananggal and other monsters 🇵🇭❤️
— Jill Damatac (@JillDamatac) July 18, 2022
The post got a lot of attention online, leaving everyone in splits. While some agreed with his suggestions, others from other tropical countries shared their stories of growing up in the summer months.
