On a lighter note, Pinoys have been bathing for years
Felix Laureano is a Spaniard who travelled the Philippine Islands towards the end of the 19th. He took photographs of the Indios and gave commentary on his photos. One of these photos is entitled "En el bano" with the following praise (if not critique) on the early Pinoy's love for bathing:
"In no country is the bath used with so much frequency than in the Philippine archipelago. The cleanliness of the body is proverbial in those islands. The people bathe in all weather, the same in the hot days of March, April, and May, as in the cooler days of December and January.
There are no prescribed hours for bathing; they bathe at all hours. Morning, noon, afternoon and night. One can say that they spend the whole day in the water. All the houses, no matter how poor, have a well for drawing water and 'tinaja' for bathing.
In the rich and the well-appointed houses, especially in Manila aind Ilo-ilo, there are luxurious baths of oriental taste.
Baths are originally taken with a tavo or tabu. With this instrument, water is poured from the head to the entire body.
The people, as soon as they get out of bed, at the sun's first light, all go take a bath. At noon, before sitting dow at table, and after resting briefly from their labor, they look for water to refresh their sweaty and tired bodies...
A delicious spectacle presents itself, just as when, unchained, a tempest and the torrential rains frequent in those latitudes break out. Little childre, women and men of the town, abandoning their occupations, run to the street; under the drainpipes of the houses they take their showers with great desire."
From the book "Recuerdos de Filipinas" originally produced by Felix Laureano, brought back to life by Felice Noelle Rodriguez.
Fortunately, I still managed to experience the joys of bathing and running in the rain as a kid. Now, the best that I can do is walk as it drizzles.
PS
Get a copy at Fully Booked.