France’s Filipino community has come through an extraordinary spell of hot weather without any casualties, according to Ambassador Eduardo Jose de Vega, who confirmed the outcome during a radio interview on Tuesday.
De Vega, who leads the Philippine mission in Paris, described the conditions in personal terms. “Pinakamainit na naramdaman ko sa buhay ko [eh] dito, for the past several days (It was here that I experienced the hottest days in my life),” de Vega said. He went on to note the reassuring news for his countrymen: “[Ang] Maganda rito walang naapekto na Pilipino so far (The good thing about it was that no Filipino was affected [by the extreme heat].”
The reassurance followed a warning issued days earlier. In the previous week, the embassy had urged Filipinos to take precautions as what it termed an unprecedented heatwave moved across France.
That June 18 advisory laid out the health dangers in detail. Prolonged time in high temperatures, the embassy noted, endangered the general population but carried heightened danger for certain groups: seniors, small children, expectant mothers, individuals living with disabilities or long-term illness, anyone on particular medications, and those in unstable living conditions. Symptoms flagged in the notice included lightheadedness, general weakness, cramping muscles, and loss of body fluids.
Practical guidance accompanied the warnings. The embassy told Filipinos to remain inside where possible and to keep fluid levels up. For anyone who had no choice but to venture out, the recommendation was to dress in breathable, lightweight garments and to bring along water, damp wipes, or a towel and similar items for cooling relief.
On managing the heat indoors and through diet, the advisory pointed people toward water while steering them away from caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea and sugary options like soda. “Wet your body, close shutters and windows, favor soft activities, eat fresh and balanced, avoid alcohol, and avoid crowded and poorly ventilated areas,” it added.
