29 years
of
Community Service
MUNTING NAYON
News Magazine
Operated by couple Eddie Flores and Orquidia Valenzuela
News and Views of the
Filipino Community Worldwide
Midnight at Orangeburg



By Julia Carreon-Lagoc
Orangeburg-South Carolina
September 12, 2017

 
 


The day before, David, my daughter Randy’s better-half, searched for the best site in the whole of America with which to view the total solar eclipse. The result: Orangeburg, a three-hour drive from their residence in Bluffton, South Carolina. The specific place: South Carolina State University where we were one of the families that converged in the huge University Stadium.

A souvenir that I still have in my desk is the spectacle labeled ECLIPSE SHADES, given free to all who came for the great event. Now I have all the time to read what’s written at the back of the specs: “INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: Wear your Eclipse Shades to protect your eyes from solar radiation any time you look at the Sun or the Sun’s reflection. When looking at a solar eclipse, use your Eclipse Shades whenever ANY PART of the Sun, no matter how small is visible. This product should not be used with any other optical appliances such as cameras, telescopes or binoculars. This product is not a toy. Children should use only with adult supervision.”

On the other side of the specs is a “WARNING: NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT SPECIAL EYE PROTECTION. DO NOT USE IF DAMAGED. Using damaged Eclipse Shades can result in severe eye injury. BEFORE EACH USE: Check front and back of each lens for damage such as scratches, pinholes or separation from frames. If damaged, cut into small pieces and discard. DO NOT attempt to clean or disinfect. (Under general conditions of use, this should not be necessary).”

Why do I write all these here? Because my daughter Randy said that in 2042, the total solar eclipse will be viewed in our part of the globe, the Philippines. You may check her findings. To be knowledgeable is to be prepared. Knowledge is power, goes the cliché. But where will I be in 2042? I will be 106 years old by that time. Will this centenarian still have the breath of life by then? Or, I’m already up there in high heavens in the company of my dear departed Rudy, a human rights lawyer.

Prior to the climactic moment, a gigantic white balloon was hoisted in the middle of the University Stadium — untied to soar up high, getting smaller and smaller until it disappeared from our sight. It was a weather balloon in a science experiment related to the eclipse. The Emcee had a resounding command of the ceremonies which included the University’s marching band that prepped up the audience. And there was the Professor (I failed to get her name) who briefed us on the forthcoming mesmerizing wonder of the Universe that, thankfully, Science can explain. In the ancient past, children were foolishly told that the Sun and the Moon were engaged in a wedding — “A Tale Told by an Idiot” if I have to mock via Shakespeare. To the Scientists, bravo for throwing superstitions, prognostications, and the like into the garbage bin.

The clouds gave way as the Sun ever so slowly went into the shape of a crescent. From the heat of high noon, the atmosphere grew cooler and cooler, the Stadium lights dimmer and dimmer. There was hushed silence. Finally, the totality of it all, and never more was the audience rapt in unity. On that very day, it was most fitting that I wore my favorite green T-shirt boldly blaring the words: ONE LOVE—ONE CHANCE—ONE WORLD—ONE EARTH.
In the span of the night sky, we saw the planets Mercury and Venus predominant in the tiny glitter of stars. My granddaughter Danika, who dreams to be an astrophysicist, shed tears in sheer amazement. That midnight at Orangeburg was an experience of a lifetime. [email protected]
Julia Carreon-Lagoc was a columnist of PANAY NEWS for two decades. She pops up with Accents now and then.

    Tweet
    MoreFBL Canada Turkey Ball – A 2017 Major Basketball Event
    Emar Sy

    With 71 teams from 19 basketball clubs including teams from Montreal competing in 9 Divisions (8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U and 16U) FBL Canada’s Turkey Ball is now considered a major basketball event in the GTA for 2017....
     
    MoreBerghaus Girls - Wehl 1967-1970 50th Anniversary Celebration
    Irma Galias

    Berghaus Girls, Wehl group 1967-1970 celebrated their 50th anniversary, held at Novotel Hotel in Amsterdam last September 23....
    MorePhilippine food fest / Shangri-La Sydney
    Evelyn A. Opilas

    Food fest features all-time Filo faves
     

     
    All-time favourites, such as kare-kare, adobo,...
    MoreAGAPI rocks on their 13th year Anniversary Celebration
    Evelyn A. Opilas

    They rocked. Literally.
     

    The Association of Golden Australian Pilipinos Inc (AGAPI) marked its 13th...
    MoreDAGUIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2017 BATCH 1 (LABO WEST DISTRICT)LABO,CAMARINES NORTE- JUNIOR ARTS CLUB
    Cecilia Zabala Pedir

            We believed in one way or another an essential component in molding artists of the future,by opening avenues to...
    MoreLBC WALKS WITH ANCOP
    Manuel Papa

    In support of the charities that the ANCOP (Answering the Call of the Poor) organization regularly undertakes, LBC Express Cargo...
     
    More`CON AMOR’ FOUNDATION B0ARD MEMBERS VISIT PROJECTS IN PHILIPPINES
    By: Orquidia. Valenzuela,  as reported by Myrla Danao

    Businessman Jaap van Dijke, chairman and two board members, Myrla Danao and Dr. John Deen of Con Amor foundation in...
    MoreArt Creations
    Vicente Collado Jr.

    Welcome!

    Many believe formal training is a prerequisite to quality in painting. Not a few will agree with me one can...
    MoreTHE CHILDREN IN DON MANUEL GK VILLAGE
    Orquidia Valenzuela Flores

    Sixty-three children from age three to six years, in the very poor community of Don Manuel village in Barangay...
    MoreHistory of the Filipino Community in the Netherlands
    Orquidia Flores-Valenzuela

    Every story has a beginning and our story begins when a Cavitena accompanied her aunt to sail to another continent....
     
    Disclaimer

    Contents posted in this site, muntingnayon.com, are the sole responsibility of the writers and do not reflect the editorial position of or the writers' affiliation with this website, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine.

    This site, muntingnayon.com, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine do not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages arising for any reason whatsoever from this website or from any web link used in this site.