This summer, it’s sweat or survive as families race for front-row freshness in the great electric fan showdown
Right now, it feels like the entire Philippines is roasting inside a giant oven, and the sun seems extra angry at us. When the aircon bill is sky-high or you simply don’t have one, there’s only one true hero in the house: the electric fan. Specifically, the stand fan — the unsung legend of every Filipino home. Forget about fancy coolers, because real family bonding happens right here in front of the whirring blades of hope.
Every household has that one person who acts like they own the “front row” spot — directly in front of the fan where the breeze is full blast. It’s prime real estate! It feels like you’re at a concert, except instead of music, it’s just the steady hum of the fan and your siblings fighting for position. Usually, the youngest sibling wins, pulling off the classic move with pleading eyes and the dramatic line: “Ma, I’m dying of heat!” Meanwhile, the older siblings either protest or give up in sweaty surrender.
This is where things get political. Should the fan oscillate so everyone gets a bit of breeze, or should it stay focused in one blessed direction? The person in charge of the oscillation switch basically becomes the president of the house.
“Kuya, don’t move it! Leave it on me!”
“But what about us? We’re melting over here!”
And just like that, a full-blown family debate breaks out, hotter than the temperature itself. Whoever controls the fan controls the household destiny.
But wait — here comes Mom with the ultimate pro move. She walks in with a damp towel straight from the sink, drapes it over your shoulders, and aims the fan at you. Instant chill! It’s like DIY aircon, Filipino edition. Bonus points if she hands you a glass of ice water or even ice tubig, while saying, “Drink up before you overheat!” Moms always know how to save the day.
Once everyone has claimed their share of the breeze and the room calms down, the conversations start flowing. Family gossip, throwback stories from Dad about how “it wasn’t this hot back in the day,” or debates about which fan brand actually lasts the longest. Even though you’re still sweating, you forget about the heat because you’re too busy laughing with the family. Somehow, the warmth feels a little less cruel.
Sure, aircon is great, but there’s something priceless about gathering as a family in front of the trusty electric fan. The small things — fighting over the breeze, debating oscillation settings, and Mom’s life-saving towel hack — these are the memories that make even the hottest days feel a little cooler. So next time the heat feels unbearable, just remember that it’s always better (and funnier) when you face it together in front of the fan.
