Even though the total solar eclipse will not be visible in the Philippines on April 8, the state-run weather bureau advised the public not to be afraid to go out, citing some superstitious beliefs that were not scientifically explained.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the total solar eclipse, also called the “Great North American Eclipse,” may cause “temporary” darkness in some areas, as the moon passes in front of the Sun.
“The totality of the solar eclipse will be visible in a narrow strip on the Pacific Ocean passing 200 nm north of the Marquesas Islands and later in North America, beginning at the Pacific Coast, then ascending in a north-easterly direction through Mexico, the United States, and Canada, before ending in the Atlantic Ocean,” PAGASA said.
However, because the Philippines was not one of the areas where the eclipse could be seen, some ideas spread, instilling fear in people.
PAGASA Astronomical Observatory Chief Renato De Leon there is no truth to the myths claiming that people should not go outside during an eclipse.
He said if the phenomenon is visible in a particular area, people can still witness it by donning protective gear like certified eclipse glasses to mitigate any potential harm from the sun's brightness.
“Hindi ipinagbabawal ang lumabas ng bahay, iyan ay mga pamahiin lamang, pwedeng tingnan ang solar eclipse pero may mga protective gears para hindi mabulag ang mata (Going outside during an eclipse is not prohibited—those are superstitions only, solar eclipse can be observed but with protective gears to avoid possible blindness),” De Leon told the Manila Bulletin in a phone interview.
PAGASA also refuted the claims that the eclipse will result in three days of darkness.
“Pinabulaanan na ng PAGASA ang mga impormasyong walang katotohanan tulad ng magkakaroon raw ng three-day darkness, iyon po ay walang mga scientific basis (PAGASA ruled out the fake information regarding the three-day darkness, there is no scientific basis for this),” he added.
The total solar eclipse was last observed in the Philippines in October 1995, said De Leon.
De Leon noted that the phenomenon may be visible again in the country on April 20, 2042.