Mang Tani's area of responsibility

MANILA, Philippines - The weather is becoming unpredictable these days. You see, even if the sun seems to shine at its brightest in the morning, it doesn’t mean there’s no chance that rain will fall in the afternoon or early evening and, worse, the sudden downpour could flood the whole metro in an instant.

Faced with this reality, GMA network’s resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz, or more popularly known as Mang Tani, knows too well he has a serious task on his shoulders. He is responsible in giving the public accurate information about the country’s weather condition. His every word is of interest and value to all.

“Informing the public about extreme events like typhoons and floods is a must and I know I should also be conscious about the terms that I’ll be using,” begins Mang Tani. “As a meteorologist, I am comfortable with the technical terms when I was still with PAGASA but now that I’m here in GMA, it’s different. Technical terms like isolated rain showers and thunderstorms should be translated in simpler words, kaya di na muna yung mga nakasanayan kong gamitin. I have to choose words that can be understood by everyone.”

Delivering the weather bulletin requires having Mang Tani inside the GMA premises as early as 4 a.m. for Unang Hirit. “Isa talaga itong napakaagang simula ng aking araw. And I stay until 12 midnight for Saksi especially when there’s a typhoon.”

Mang Tani admits changes in the weather have become part of his concern even when outside of work. He makes his observation while driving or simply staying at home. His neighbors, in turn, get a clear sign from him based on his actions. “When they see that I’m cleaning my car, they will start cleaning theirs kasi daw ibig sabihin hindi uulan.”

But for him, providing information as to whether a typhoon will enter the PAR (Philippine area of responsibility) or not is not enough for people to be worry-free. It is useless if people are not armed with the proper know-how on what to do, he emphasizes. “The most important thing is that people should also know not only what to expect but also what to do ‘pag narinig ang ganung klaseng balita.”

And with GMA 7’s aim of disseminating information to the public about natural disasters, it is only fitting for Mang Tani to share possible ways on how to manage their damaging effects as host of Hamon ng Kalikasan. It will also tackle natural occurrences like lightning, monsoon rains, earthquakes and tidal waves.

Using high resolution graphics, including GMA’s Weather Central, the science magazine program will explain the inner workings of some of the natural phenomena experienced in the Philippines and around the world. GMA science and weather consultant Karen Cardenas will be working closely with Mang Tani in providing knowledge on weather conditions.

“For non-weather related topics, we will interview experts from different agencies who can provide televiewers a clear view or explanation on the topic,” senior program manager Karen Lumbo says. “We will also try to find out if animals can truly predict calamities.”

GMA’s resident meteorologist Nathaniel ‘Mang Tani’ Cruz, host of GMA News TV 11’s Hamon ng Kalikasan: Educating viewers everything about Mother Nature

Asked about the challenges of the show for Mang Tani, he replies, “We will be dealing with different topics so I think everything about the show is a challenge because we will look deeper into each topic, bubusisiin namin ng husto.”

For those not in the know, Mang Tani is a graduate of agricultural engineering at Araneta University. He started training in PAGASA right after he graduated in college in 1982. He got his expertise in meteorology under former boss and famous weatherman Amado Pineda.

“He (Amado) was the one who told me, ‘Tani, nakikita ko parang ikaw yung papalit sa akin,’” relates Mang Tani who later became the spokesperson of PAGASA until he decided to work in Australia in 2010.

It was June 2010 when Mang Tani decided to come back to the Philippines to look after his wife who, according to Mang Tani, miraculously survived from a serious illness.

“When I came back, that was the time when GMA offered me to work for them as resident meteorologist. Nakikita na nila noon pa yung importance of giving information to the public about weather condition.”

He sees Hamon ng Kalikasan as one source for people to understand natural calamities. It will also look into some ideas proposed by urban planners and ordinary citizens to manage future floods.

Hamon ng Kalikasan will air on GMA News TV beginning tonight at 10, and every Thursday night thereafter.