Man vs. rain

MANILA, Philippines - During the rainy season, students put on their bravest faces and set out to battle the rain in such a manner that deserves heroic background music. Sometimes, you just can’t help but wish you had superpowers to get you by because you just can’t handle the rain as an ordinary student. Even an umbrella, raincoat and rubber boots won’t be enough to face the unfaltering winds and the torrential rains that come during this time of the year.

To many students, this season also brings romance (cuddle weather, anyone?), suspense (when waiting for announcements for class suspension), drama (the tension that rises while staying up late and waiting for class suspension), horror (waking up and realizing that class isn’t suspended), and action (the lengths you go just to get to school).  So when the going gets tough, here’s a list of superpowers you might need to pull through.

1) Water control

Imagine yourself so close to school only to be hindered by floodwater. Where to go? What to do? You’re late for class, and you have your best shoes on. Bet you’re wishing you could just gather all that water into a giant ball and throw it all into the ocean so you don’t have to plunge into the dirty water. Or better yet, make like Moses and walk through the parted waters like the Red Sea. One other perk of water control would be water purification, so you don’t have to worry about catching a disease and, at the same time, you get free water!

2)  Weather control

To all the Marvel fans out there, was there a point where you wished you had Storm’s powers when you had something important to do on a day where the weather just wouldn’t cooperate? To those who aren’t superhero savvy, Storm has the ability to manipulate the weather. She can control rain, fog, wind and lightning. So when you have her power and the weather goes bad, in a split second you can go from bagyo weather to beach weather.

3)  Human boat

This is where you can finally put your boat shoes to good use! You’re making your way home and a flash flood comes; tap your shoes together and you shape shift into a human boat. While other people are busy raising their bags above their heads, you’re cruising through the flood as a motorboat. You can also become a shuttle service to all the stranded people out there and earn cash for the next pair of boat shoes you’ve been saving up for.

4) Turn into stone

An article was released on the Internet entitled, “Top 25 Most Useless Superpowers of All Time.” Included on the list was a hero whose power was to turn into an immovable rock. If he had to fight a super villain, or simply chase down a mugger, then his superpower would be completely useless. But it’s all about context. If he were a typical Filipino citizen who happened to be along España during a rainstorm, he’d be the envy of everyone around him. Once he turns into rock form, no amount of water would be able to move him. He’d never have to worry about being washed away by the flood. Try that power on for size.

5) Psychic abilities (only works with class suspension)

The number one question on every student’s mind when there are heavy rains: “May pasok ba?”  During these times the most flooded area in the Philippines is most definitely Twitter. Students all over the country take to Twitter to express their violent emotions on how their school should suspend classes. During these times, it’s a constant dilemma among students whether or not to study for an upcoming test the next day, so just think about the possibilities of being able to predict whether or not classes will be suspended. You’d be the herald of good news and everyone would turn to you. The ratings of local news stations might lose a good amount of viewers, but hey, at least you’re doing your fair share of public service.

6) Being waterproof

When all else fails and your school still has classes despite the heavy rain, the greatest superpower you can ever have during times like this is the ability to become waterproof. Look amazing going to class and be the talk of the campus. While everyone else dreads the day ahead, you’ll be dancing to a happy tune and giving everyone a hug. You will most likely be the only one walking on sunshine.