At 10:00 AM today, the center of tropical storm “Amang” was estimated at 560 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 90 kilometers per hour. If Amang continues to move westward at 15 kilometers per hour, it is expected to make landfall over Northern Samar tomorrow evening.
As Amang moves closer to Visayas, some areas were put under Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1.
Amang is expected to bring estimated rainfall ranging from 7.5 to 20 millimeters per hour (heavy to intense) within its 300-kilometer diameter. Those who are residing in low-lying and mountainous areas under these storm signals are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Occurrence of ocean waves that may reach up to 6.5 meters are also possible.
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio explained that the presence of two high pressure areas are influencing the movement of the tropical storm. However, there is still a chance for it to re-curve only if the high pressure area in the upper right will give way. As of now, Amang has a slim chance of intensifying into a typhoon. Continuous monitoring will be done in the following hours.
For today, occasional rains with gusty winds will be experienced over Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains are expected over Central Visayas and CARAGA. The rest of Visayas and Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rains and possible thunderstorms.
Meanwhile due to the northeast monsoon or amihan, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera will have cloudy skies with light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated light rains.
Due to the winds associated with the prevailing amihan and Amang, sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Weather outlook for Papal Visit Days 3 and 4
Today is the 2nd day of Pope Francis in the Philippines. Based on his itinerary, tomorrow, January 17, he will travel from Manila to Tacloban to meet with Yolanda survivors. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio, Tacloban will experience occasional rains with gusty winds.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis is expected to return back to Manila on January 18 to meet the youth and conduct a holy mass in Quirino Grandstand. Aurelio said we are expecting cloudy skies with light to moderate rains by Sunday.
We, Filipinos, are known for our strong faith and hospitality. As we unite in welcoming Pope Francis, dubbed as the people’s pope, let us know more about his enigmatic yet humble personality.
December 17, 1936 was when Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His mother, Regina Maria Sivori, came from a Catholic family from Northwestern Italy. As a full-time mother, she bonded with Jorge over watching their favorite football team in the stadium, and listening to opera broadcasts via the phonograph or state radio. Until now, Jorge would reminisce the moments when her mother would explain the opera to him on Saturday afternoons.
Jorge and his father, Mario Jose Francisco Bergoglio, have a lot in common. Jorge’s sister, Maria Elena, said that aside from having pleasing personalities, they also shared a love for both the opera and tango. While the family played cards, they enjoyed watching their father play basketball at the local club. On Sundays, they would see their father working at home with his accounting books, while the house overflowed with classical music. Their family had no luxuries but they got everything that a happy life defined.
Just like every little kid, the young Jorge had a mischievous steak. During his elementary days, the nuns in his school recalled how he would incessantly jump up and down the stairs. There was also a time when his mother was called by the teacher due to his behaviour. When his mother asked him to apologize, Jorge admired her all the more for not tolerating his act.
As a sixth grader, he excelled in conduct, religion and the Gospel. He revealed that he felt his first calling during the sixth grade when he had a chance to speak with Fr. Martinez, who was known to be the famous “fisher” of vocations.
In his school, Ramos Mejia, there were “good night talks” that helped him build a solid foundation for his vocation. Jorge became a devotee of the Blessed Virgin from whom he learned about the love for purity.
Jorge’s father asked him to work while studying. At a young age, he worked in a sock factory as a clean-up boy. Because his father also works at home, Jorge learned about accounting, which led him to an administrative job on his third year of secondary school. On his fourth year, he was enrolled in an industrial institute specializing in food chemistry.
It was in 1953 when he visited the parish church of San Jose de Flores. During his confession with Fr. Carlos Duarte Ibarra, Jorge felt a personal encounter the Lord—a surprising religious experience that changed his life.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the new pope on March 13, 2013. He was considered to be a pope of many firsts as he was the first to take the name “Francis” after Saint Francis of Assisi, the first pope from the Americas, the first pope from the Society of Jesus, and the first ordained priest after Vatican II.
Being the pope for almost two years now, he has expressed his views on various social issues by encouraging the church to treat the homosexuals or LGBT community with respect and sensitivity. In an address delivered to the members of the Italian Catholic Doctors Association, he emphasized that life is sacred, therefore abortion and euthanasia should not be practiced for these are “sins against the creator”.
Another great sin, according to the pope, is the division among religions. The pope explained that despite our differences in our beliefs, we are called to unite. Recently on January 11 this year, Pope Francis baptized 33 babies in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, where he told mothers that it is acceptable to breastfeed their children even inside the church. These are just some of the things that we will never forget about the pope.
Pope in PH
Fr. Lito Geanan of Baclayon Church in Bohol, one of the country’s oldest churches that was destroyed when a magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook Visayas in 2013, shared his thoughts on why many Filipinos want to meet the pope.
“Pope Francis has the heart for the poor. We all know that majority or marami talaga sa mga Pilipino ay nasa kahirapan. Si Pope Francis ay malapit talaga sa mga tao. Isa pa, nagpapakita rin siya ng magandang example ng kahalagahan ng simbahan sa mga tao. ‘Yung Papal Visit ay nagtutugma sa primary concern ng Papa – ang mga tao.”
Because many devotees feel that he is a pope they can relate to, millions are looking forward to meet him in person during the Papal Visit, happening on January 15 to 19, 2015. Below is the Pope Francis’ itinerary:
Sources:
papalvisit.ph
http://www.donboscowest.org/
http://www.bohol.ph/
www.catholicnewsagency.com
www.uscatholic.org
At 4 AM today, a tropical depression (TD) was located at 1,610 kilometers east of Mindanao with maximum winds of 55 kph and moving west-northwest at 19 kph.
PAGASA Meteorologist Jun Galang says that the tropical depression is forecast to enter the PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility) today or tomorrow morning. Two possible scenarios are expected to happen. First, there is a chance that it will make its landfall in the Bicol Region. Its effect will be experience too in Metro Manila. The other scenario is that the TD will re-curve, not hitting any part of the landmass. Either of the two, this will bring light to moderate rains, especially in Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region.
Meanwhile, today, the northeast monsoon is still affecting Luzon, bringing light rains and cold weather over Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. Isolated light rains may still affect Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
CARAGA and the provinces of Leyte and Bohol will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers. Possible occurrence of thunderstorms is also expected in the said areas. The rest of Visayas and Mindanao will continue to have fine weather aside from isolated rains and thunderstorms.
Welcome, Pope Francis!
Tomorrow, Pope Francis will arrive at the Villamor Airbase at 5:45 in the afternoon.Churches in the whole archipelago are encouraged to ring their bells as a sign of welcoming the Pope in the country.
The state weather bureau said that fair weather condition or partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will prevail tomorrow over Metro Manila.
Because the New Year is all about fresh starts and perspectives, clearing the mind is a must. To achieve this mental clarity, one needs to first clear his or her surroundings. And the easiest to way to jumpstart this change is to declutter your home.
With tips we’ve gathered both from the web and Lifestyle Specialist Carole Guiam, here are ten easy ways you can work your way to a clean, clutter-free living space:
1) Create shelf space.
Dispose of old magazines and books by donating them to a local library.
2) Aim for mean, clean kitchen.
Check and clean your pantry for expired canned goods. Transfer the contents of near-empty bottles of liquid seasonings to smaller containers so they don’t occupy too much space in the pantry.
3) Streamline your wardrobe.
Make it a habit to check your closet every 6 months and dispose of clothes that are no longer in use. The same goes for accessories and footwear.
4) Give, give, give.
Each year, we receive gifts from friends and relatives that we don’t really like or have no use for. Keeping them in a cabinet will just take up space. According to Guiam, there’s no shame in recycling gifts as long as you give them to people who’ll find them useful.
5) Be a boxing champ.
Invest in sturdy boxes wherein you can store things you don’t use often but will still use in the future. Label them and stack them in a corner for easy access.
6) Declutter one room at a time.
So you won’t be overwhelmed with the task of decluttering, break down the task in bite-size steps. You can allot an afternoon of each day for clearing a particular room. Make this a habit to avoid accumulating possessions.
7) Go through your drawers.
In each room, start checking drawer by drawer. Take out all the
unnecessary things, from dysfunctional gadgets to old compact
discs.
8) Have fun with numbers.
Some people declutter better when given a limit. Try the 12-12-12-challenge–that means 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate and 12 items to restore. This is a fun way to de-clutter your home with your family, especially with kids.
9) Sell or give away.
Garage sales are a great way of earning while getting rid of furniture and other household items that you no longer find useful. Another option is to donate to charitable organizations such as the following:
Caritas Manila
Drop off point:
Caritas Manila 2002 Jesus St., Pandacan Manila or Radio Veritas office along West Avenue cor. EDSA, Quezon City
Telephone: (632) 564-0205 to 562-0020 to 25
Fax: (632) 563-930
Save the Children Philippines
Address: 3/F Midland Building, 1040 EDSA
Magallanes Village, Makati City 1232
Philippines
Fax number: (632) 853-0215
10) Be a discriminating consumer.
Clutter is nipped in the bud most effectively when you buy only the things you really need. Spend only on the necessities and live simply—you’ll be surprised with how much you’ll save and how much more content you’ll feel.
Eastern and Central Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and possible thunderstorms due to the trough or the extension of a low pressure area (LPA). The rest of Visayas will have fair weather apart from isolated cases of rains.
The northeast monsoon continues to prevail over Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with light rains in the regions of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. As for Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, skies will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated light rains.
Meanwhile, the LPA is now estimated at 1,990 kms. east of Mindanao. State Meteorologist Buddy Javier says it is still expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday.
Current data analysis shows a less probability of the LPA crossing the Visayas as compared to it moving towards Luzon before recurving to the northeast where it will weaken due to cold air intrusion. PAGASA implements continuous monitoring as significant changes may occur.
PAPAL VISIT WEATHER OUTLOOK
PAGASA releases a special weather outlook during Pope Francis’s visit covering January 13 to 19, 2015.
Starting January 13-17, Metro Manila is expected to have generally good weather condition aside from passing light rains due to the northeast monsoon. However, moderate to heavy rains are possible come Sunday, January 18, as the monitored weather disturbance is expected to move near the eastern side of Southern Luzon. By Monday, January 19, a rainy weather condition will continue in Metro Manila as the weather disturbance moves north and is expected to recurve in a northeast direction.
Meanwhile, in Tacloban, light to moderate rain showers are expected on Friday and Saturday (January 16-17). Thunderstorms are also likely to occur. This weather condition will continue on Sunday. Improved weather conditions are then expected by Monday.
Surrounded by bodies of water, the Philippines sits astride the typhoon belt. Each year, an average of 19 to 20 tropical cyclones or bagyo enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), with 8 to 9 of these crossing the landmass.
In 2014, 19 tropical cyclones were recorded to have entered PAR. Two of them were experienced before the year ended, making their respective landfalls in the Visayas and Mindanao areas.
Bagyong Ruby
Since its development from a low pressure area on the last day of November, major weather agencies across the globe closely monitored the potentially dangerous typhoon, later given the international name Hagupit.
Filipinos were alerted against the threat of the approaching cyclone as early as December 2, even if Hagupit was still too far to affect the country.
Entering PAR on December 4, the cyclone was locally named Ruby. Two possible scenarios were presented: for it to 1) make landfall and 2) recurve. Despite hoping for the latter, Ruby crossed the archipelago, hitting the land five times before exiting PAR by the evening of December 10.
During its course on land, Ruby left 18 dead and 916 injured. Over 5 billion pesos in damages to agriculture and infrastructure were also reported.
With the catastrophe endured by Filipinos in November 2013 caused by bagyong Yolanda, the Philippines may have learned its lesson. A lot of it, it seems, were applied during the preparations for Ruby.
No less than President Benigno Aquino III ensured that each agency’s preparations were already in place before Ruby’s arrival. This included quizzing his cabinet secretaries on their efforts in preparation for Ruby, to avoid a repeat of the Yolanda situation. A meeting in Camp Aguinaldo was held to mitigate the impact of Ruby in the following days.
Agencies also layman-ized the terms and phrases used in order to make sure everyone understood and acted accordingly. Continuous dissemination of weather bulletins, the initiation of pre-emptive evacuation, and other precautionary measures were undertaken as early as December 2 when the typhoon was still outside the PAR.
BAGYONG SENIANG
Right after Christmas up until New Year’s, PAGASA weather forecasters dutifully monitored the last tropical cyclone of the year— Seniang.
Dumping heavy rains that caused widespread flooding and landslides, among others, Seniang made landfall four times before leaving the PAR on the 2nd of January.
Aside from the 65 deaths, 41 injuries and 7 missing persons, Seniang also caused damages of more than 758 million pesos as of press time.
With the death toll significantly higher compared to Ruby, criticisms were thrown at the government for “falling short in its preparations” for the onslaught of bagyong Seniang. However, Malacañang refuted these claims saying that the government’s preparations and response were comprehensive. Citing the latest report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma stated that many of the casualties came from isolated cases of landslide and flashflood incidents, in areas that were not “designated as danger zones.”
LESSONS LEARNED
A weather disturbance often takes a few days before it develops into something massive. State meteorologists monitor this through weather satellites, enabling them to alert the public and give them ample time to prepare before a bagyo strikes.
Over the years, the Filipinos have endured the countless devastating effects of cyclones with rising death tolls and damages headlining the news. Though we can’t stop a cyclone from forming, we can minimize its disastrous impact. By focusing on disaster mitigation and preparedness, we help curb the overwhelming consequences of a calamity.
Arm yourself with some weather wisdom.
What is a thunderstorm? A low pressure area? The most dangerous part of a bagyo? (The eye wall, fyi.) Knowing these relevant weather terms help us understand forecasts better, which help us prepare for the coming weather disturbances.
Monitor weather updates.
Nowadays, information comes easily through various platforms—the television, radio, and the Internet. With real-time updates and lead-time forecasts, disaster preparedness is within our reach.
Have an emergency kit.
We can’t stress this enough. Emergency kits save lives. Prepare emergency kits ahead of time and store them in accessible areas so you can easily find them when the need arises.
Make emergency plans with your family.
When disaster strikes, family members may get separated. Make sure the whole family is prepared and informed on crucial information, such as emergency exits, meet-up points, and ways to contact each other. In line with this, it’s also important to know the emergency hotlines in your area.
Identify the threats on your property.
Is your area prone to flooding? Can a storm surge reach your house? Is your area mountainous and prone to landslides? If you are living in a hazard-prone area, evacuate as early as possible. Otherwise, stay inside the house and keep calm.
Store enough food and water.
The movements of tropical cyclones are not definite. Some move speedily; others start fast then slow down later on. Business operations may take time to resume after a disaster so better make sure your supplies will last for a few days.
Heed the advice of local authorities.
If you’re asked to evacuate, do so and be sure to follow instructions. Before leaving, turn off all utilities and secure your home. After the disaster has passed, return home only when officials have deemed it safe.
Are you ready for future disasters? Be informed, prepared, and safe! See below the names that will be used for tropical cyclones that will enter the PAR this 2015
The northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan” still prevails over Luzon this Monday, bringing cloudy skies with light rains over the regions of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. Isolate cases of light rains are also expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
Eastern Visayas, CARAGA and Davao regions, on the other hand, will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorm, while the rest of Visayas and Mindanao can expect a fair weather condition apart from localized thunderstorms.
Strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas. Sea travel is risky due to the rough to very rough sea conditions generated by the strong surge of the northeast monsoon.
Meanwhile, PAGASA continues to monitor the low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier says it is expected to enter PAR on Thursday. Current analysis of the forecasting models show three scenarios of what may happen to the said weather disturbance – to dissipate, to recurve or to intensify as a tropical cyclone, which would make it the first bagyo this year.
In other news, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake was recorded 73 kms. east of Hernani in Eastern Samar at 12:07 this morning. There are no expected aftershocks or damage that may occur in the following hours, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Earlier this morning, devotees of the Black Nazarene faced light rains during the Pahalik event of the Traslacion 2015. This weather condition will likely continue during the procession.
PAGASA explains this is due to the prevailing northeast monsoon affecting Luzon. This will continue to bring cloudy skies with light rains in Metro Manila, Aurora and the regions of Bicol, CALABARZON, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. The rest of Luzon can expect isolated cases of light rains brought by the same weather system.
CARAGA, Central Visayas and the provinces of Leyte and Camiguin will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers caused by a wind convergence. The remaining parts of the country will enjoy fair weather apart from isolated thunderstorms.
Gale warning has been issued inthe seaboards of Luzon and Visayas, as well as in the seaboards of the CARAGA region. Apart from strong to gale force winds, rough to very rough sea conditions are also expected, making sea travel risky in the following hours.
Meanwhile, Panahon TV continues to monitor the low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). State meteorologist Jori Loiz states that the said weather disturbance is expected to enter PAR between Sunday and Monday.
Currently, it has a slim chance of intensifying into a tropical cyclone due to unfavorable conditi
THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE
Every year, thousands of devotees flock to Manila to be part of the “traslacion” or the transfer of the Black Nazarene, which commemorates the transfer of the statue from a church in Intramuros to Quiapo Church on the 9th of January in 1767. It is one of the biggest religious processions in the Philippines.
The 248-year icon is considered by faithful devotees of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno as miraculous. In 2014, 3 million devotees attended the procession, with the parade lasting 19 hours. The longest parade was in 2012, which went on for 22 hours.
Due to a fire incident in Escolta, organizers of the feast have updated the routes of the procession. See below for changes:
Today is the “Pahalik,” wherein the Black Nazarene of the Quiapo Church is brought to Luneta to make it more accessible for devotees to kiss and touch. For those planning to attend the event, remember to bring your umbrellas. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon may be affected by the northeast monsoon, resulting to partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains.
Meanwhile, CARAGA, Davao, and Northern Mindanao will experience light to moderate rains due to wind convergence or the boundary where the northeast monsoon and winds from the east meet.
The rest of the country, including Visayas, will have good weather condition today. Isolated rains and thunderstorms will be prevalent in the afternoon or evening.
The cloud clousters outside PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility) has now developed into a low pressure area and has a possibility to enhance into a tropical cyclone.
But, good news from the weather bureau, the said weather disturbance will not affect any part of the country. Therefore, we may look forward to sunny days ahead.
Amihan (Northeast monsoon) until March
The termination of the northeast monsoon last season was on March 26, 2014. Mendoza says that most likely, this year’s amihan will also probably last until March. PAGASA will completely terminate the amihan season when the easterlies (another wind system from the east) becomes dominant.
