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After dumping rains in some parts of Caraga, Davao Region and Palawan, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has already weakened and dissipated.

However, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Glaiza Escullar said that the Tail-End of a Cold Front remains dominant in the eastern section of Northern Luzon.

jan 31 wx today

On the last day of January 2017, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the province of Aurora.

For areas under Ilocos Region, cloudy skies with light rains will prevail.

In the remaining parts of the country including Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will be experienced.

Gale warning remains in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon where rough to very rough seas are expected.

jan 31 5am gale

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves that could reach as high as 3.4 to 4.5 meters.

Today January 30, 2017, a very lucky woman will be crowned the 65th Miss Universe at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

According to PAGASA, two weather systems are still bringing rains in the country today. These include a Low Pressure Area (LPA) estimated at 330 kilometers south-southwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Meanwhile, the Tail-End of a Cold Front is affecting the Eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon.

jan 30 wx 5am

Cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides are expected in Palawan.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in Cagayan Valley Region and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon.

Cloudy skies with light rains are expected in Cordillera and Ilocos Region.

For the rest of the country including Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies or generally fair weather will prevail only with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

miss u coronation

More than 80 candidates from all over the world are in the Philippines as the country is hosting the Miss Universe competition for the third time. The country first hosted the competition in 1974 when Spain’s Amparo Muñoz was crowned while the second happened in 1994 with Sushmita Sen of India winning as Miss Universe.

Just last year, our candidate Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe.

On the last Sunday of January 2017, three weather systems are bringing rains in the archipelago.

These include a Low Pressure Area (LPA) estimated at 70 kilometers south of Davao City, Davao del Sur at 4:00 AM, the Tail-End of Cold Front affecting Southern Luzon and Visayas, and the Northeast Monsoon prevailing in Northern and Central Luzon.

Today, cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms that may trigger flashfloods and landslides, are expected in Eastern Visayas and Caraga.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in the Bicol Region, the rest of Visayas and Mindanao, CALABARZON and the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Aurora.

Cloudy skies with light rains are expected in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley Region and rest of Central Luzon.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will prevail in the rest of Luzon.
jan 29 gale
The LPA inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) may be bringing rains, but it is no longer expected to to intensify into a tropical cyclone in the next 24-48 hours, PAGASA Weather Foracaster Gener Quitlong said in an interview with PanahonTV.

Patuloy po itong magiging LPA hanggang sa ito po ay malusaw o malakalabas po ng ating bansa. Hindi po ito magiging isang bagyo so ngayong buwan po wala na tayong inaasahan na bagyo na maaring makaapekto sa ating bansa.” (This could remain as an LPA and dissipate or exit the country. It is not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone, so no tropical cyclone is expected to affect the country this month.)

It can be recalled that Tropical Depression Auring, the first tropical cyclone of 2017 occurred last January 7. It made four landfall activities in Mindanao and Visayas areas before weakening into an LPA.

Gale warning remains in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Visayas. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves due to rough to very rough sea conditions in these provinces:

jan 29 gale

Two weather systems are still bringing rains in the country today.

These include the Tail-End of a Cold Front in the eastern section of Mindanao, and the Northeast Monsoon prevailing in Luzon and Visayas.

jan 24 5am

Today, cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in the regions of Caraga and Davao. Residents of these areas are alerted against flash floods and landslides.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected in the rest of Mindanao.

In Luzon and Eastern Visayas, cloudy skies with light rains will prevail, while moderate rains are expected in Cagayan Valley and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon.

Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains are expected in the rest of Visayas.

In an interview with PanahonTV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Loriedin de la Cruz said that no weather disturbance is expected to affect the country in the next three days. However changes may still transpire, so stay tuned for updates.

Gale force winds are affecting more areas in the country as the Amihan intensifies. Due to rough to very rough seas, small seacraft and fishing boats are not advised to venture out, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

jan 24 5am gale

A tornado is a thin column of air extending from a thunderstorm cloud to or near the ground. Rotating counterclockwise at around 450 kilometers per hour or even faster, it is strong enough to uproot trees, damage buildings, and displace vehicles.

Also known as twisters or buhawi in Filipino, tornadoes in the Philippines persist from one to ten minutes, and are capable of traveling a distance of one kilometer. “Kapag ang buhawi ay short-lived, maaaring mas maiksi ang distance na kayang baybayin niyan. Maaari rin namang magkaroon ng matagalang tornado pero almost stationary lamang iyon,” said PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez. (If a tornado is short-lived, it can only a travel a short distance. On the other hand, a long-lasting tornado can also stay stationary.)


A tornado is a secondary hazard of severe thunderstorms that can also produce hailstorms. Tornadoes can transpire in any part of the country from March to December; however, Luzon experiences less number of tornadoes during the northeast (amihan) season from October to February.

To prevent loss of lives and damage to properties, know what to do before, during, and after a tornado.

BEFORE A TORNADO:
• Check your house for possible weaknesses.
• Keep fragile and light items away from the window.
• All types of buildings must have a safe room, preferably without windows.
• Create a family communication plan and practice it.
• Keep an emergency kit.
• Always monitor the weather, and be alert to changing conditions.
• Stay indoors when a thunderstorm transpires. Severe thunderstorms are heralded by hailstones and huge, dark low-lying clouds.

DURING A TORNADO:
• Be alert at all times.
• Proceed to the basement or the ground level of the building.
• Stay away from windows and items that may fall or break.
• Crouch under a sturdy table if the wind is very violent.
• When inside a car, move out and seek a safe area. If you can’t get out, buckle your seatbelt and drive to the nearest sturdy shelter, and park using the hand-break.
• When outdoors, watch out for falling debris, and stay away from electric posts, underpasses, and bridges. Better to evacuate to a concrete structure.
• If buildings are not present, proceed to a low-lying area or lie flat on the ground.

AFTER A TORNADO:
• Check for injured or trapped people.
• Deal with injuries.
• Stay away from debris and damaged structures.
• Shut off utilities and inspect the house for damage.

Photo: Harold Obaña
Photo: Harold Obaña

A tornado is different from a waterspout, which transpires in bodies of water. Because the wind is colorless, it is difficult to see the first few seconds of a tornado until it becomes visible due to dust and other objects carried by the swiveling winds. In other countries, meteorologists easily predict formation of tornadoes because of their wide diameters that can expand to 200 meters. This weather phenomenon exists in almost every continent except Antarctica due its below-zero temperatures.

Meanwhile, PAGASA Forecaster Perez said that our state weather bureau is now discussing the issuance of tornado watches and advisories.

According to PAGASA, two weather systems still prevail in the Philippine Area of Responsibility today. As the Tail-End of a Cold Front affects the eastern section of Southern Luzon, the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan dominates Northern and Central Luzon.

The Cold Front is an area in the atmosphere where masses of warm and cold air converge, resulting in thunderstorms. Ordinarily, the axis of the Cold Front is in level with Taiwan or Japan. The only part that affects the Philippines is its tail end or extension. The Amihan, characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China, is responsible for lower temperatures.

jan 23 5am blue map

Ready your umbrellas because cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila, Bicol, Davao, Aurora, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon and Samar.

In the Cagayan Valley Region, Cordillera and the rest of Central Luzon, cloudy skies with light rains will prevail, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains are expected in the rest of Luzon.

For the remaining parts of Visayas and Mindanao, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will be experienced.

Here’s the weather forecast in the next three days:

Gale warning remains over Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Visayas. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out in these areas while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.
jan 23 5am gale

Mental health is just as important as physical health.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), mental health illnesses are the third most common forms of morbidity among Filipinos. In fact, between 17 to 20 percent of Filipino adults experience psychiatric disorders, while 10 to 15 percent of Filipino children aged 5 to 15, suffer from mental health problems.

To promote healthy eating, internist-cardiologist Willie Ong enumerated brain foods you should always have in your kitchen:

1) OILY FISH

Examples of oily fish are sardines, salmon, tilapia, tamban and bangus. According to Ong, these types contain fatty acids that help develop brain cells.

tilapia
courtesy: peters-pan.blogspot

WHAT’S IN IT: “May taglay itong omega-3 fatty acids na nagpapaganda ng daloy ng dugo. Dahil dito, mababawasan ang tsansang magkaroon ng sakit na stroke at atake sa puso.” (Oily fish have omega-3 fatty acids that help blood flow, minimizing the possibilities of stroke and heart disease.)

INTAKE: thrice a week, 4 ounces per serving

2) NUTS

Examples of brain-boosting nuts are peanuts, cashew and walnuts. Nuts have Vitamin E and Niacin, known as healthy fats that help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

nuts
courtesy: motherearthnews.com

WHAT’S IN IT: “Ang mani ay maganda sa puso, utak at nakapagpapababa ng cholesterol. Ayon sa pagsusuri, kapag mataas ang lebel ng vitamin E sa iyong katawan, mas matalas din ang iyong pag-iisip. May tulong din ang mani para sa memorya.” (Nuts are good for the heart and brain. It also lowers cholesterol. Based on studies, those who have high Vitamin E levels also have sharper minds. Nuts also help in improving memory.)

INTAKE: Avoid salted fried nuts. Limit consumption to a palm-size portion or 30 grams daily.

3) EGG

Eggs can be cooked in different ways, and have high levels of choline, as well as Vitamins B2 and D that are good for kids, too.

boiled egg
courtesy: samalatnews.com

WHAT’S IN IT: “Ang itlog ay mataas sa choline, isang kemikal na kailangan ng mga bata para mag-develop ang kanilang utak at memorya. Mataas din sa Vitamin A, iron at folate ang itlog.” (Eggs are rich in choline, a chemical that kids need for brain and memory development. Eggs also have high levels of Vitamin A, iron and folate.)

INTAKE: Kids may consume one egg per day. However, those who have high blood or high cholesterol should limit intake to three eggs per week.

4) COFFEE

Help improve short-term memory with your morning buddy that’s rich in caffeine and antioxidants.
coffee-stock-photo-0e8b300f42157b6f
courtesy: nj.com

WHAT’S IN IT: “Makatutulong ang kape para maiwasan ang Alzheimer’s disease at panghihina ng ating isipan. May sangkap na antioxidants at caffeine ang kape. May tulong din ang kape sa pag-memorya ng iyong inaaral pero panandalian lang ang epekto nito.” (Coffee helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease and strengthens the mind. It has antioxidants and caffeine. Coffee helps you memorize, but only on a short-term basis.

INTAKE: Limit consumption to two cups per day to avoid palpitation. Full cream milk and whipped cream, which are rich in fats, should also be avoided.

5) AVOCADO

Avocados are good for digestion and help lower bad cholesterol, preventing the risk of cancer.

Avocado
courtesy: steptphealth.com

WHAT’S IN IT: “Ang abokado ay may taglay na good fats at healthy oils. Dahil dito, nakatutulong ito sa pag-iwas sa sakit sa puso at stroke. May sangkap din itong Vitamin B6 at Vitamin E na pampakinis ng ating balat and may help relieve stress.” (Avocado has good fats and healthy oils that help prevent heart disease and stroke. It contains Vitamins B6 and E that are good for the skin and may help relieve stress.)

INTAKE: Half cut per day, thrice a week.

According to Ong, apart from healthy foods, a healthy lifestyle is also important for mental health.

“Umiwas sa alak at mga bisyo. Ang pag-inom ng sobrang alak ay nakababawas ng brain cells sa ating utak. Hihina ang iyong memory. May sakit na kung tawagin ay “alcoholic dementia.” Ang ibig sabihin nito ay nagiging ulyanin ang pasyente dahil nabababad ang kanyang utak sa alcohol. Iwas din sa paninigarilyo at pagpupuyat.” (Avoid alcohol and other vices. Drinking excessive alcohol diminishes brain cells and causes poor memory. There is a condition called alcoholic dementia characterized by forgetfulness because of too much alcohol consumption. One should also avoid smoking and lack of sleep.)

So whether you’re an employee striving for a promotion at work, or a student wanting to get good grades in school, it pays off to always eat healthy!

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In a press release dated January 18, 2017, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that 2016 was the hottest year on record. With a global average temperature of 1.1 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial period, it surpassed the heat recorded in 2015.According to WMO, it was approximately 0.07 degrees Celsius warmer than the previous year.

A strong El Niño event was assumed as one of the main factors that fuelled high temperatures during the early months of 2016. However, high temperatures prevailed even after the El Niño episode.

Climate change is the long-term shift in weather patterns in a region. This includes changes in precipitation, temperatures, sea levels and many more. It is also a phenomenon brought by the increased emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

According to Dr. Rosa Perez of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Climate change can be caused either by natural occurrences or human activities. Natural causes include the sun’s activity, volcanic eruptions and other natural events that contribute to the warming of the earth.

But the problem now is that climate change has worsened due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, clearing of forests, improper waste management and production of industrialized products.
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Among the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide has one of the most ample concentrations in the atmosphere. In September last year, carbon dioxide levels have exceeded the tipping point or the harmful threshold of 440 parts per million (ppm). This figure indicates more catastrophic events like extreme drought, melting of ice, sea level rise and stronger typhoons in the future.

2016 was filled with extreme weather events, leaving socio-economic disruption and losses. The warming of the ocean has contributed to widespread coral bleaching.

Recently, the United Nations reported that three-quarters of the world’s coral reefs are expected to be exposed to terrible heat by 2070. Reefs closer to the equator face annual bleaching that may occur at an earlier frequency, affecting more than 75% of the reefs.

Coral bleaching happens once the micro plants called “zooxanthellae” leave the corals when the water becomes warm because of climate change. This leads to the deprivation of the corals’ food source and color, turning them white or bleached. If the heat persists for a longer period of time, the corals may die. When this happens, it will take decades for reefs to recover or worse, they may not recover at all.
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PH ratification of Paris Agreement underway

“Addressing global warming shall be our top priority, but upon a fair and equitable equation. It must not stymie our industrialization.” These were the words uttered by President Rodrigo Duterte during his 1st State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2016.

Earlier this year, Duterte announced that he will be signing the Paris Agreement by July 2017. Before the agreement reaches our President, 33 government agencies and private groups have to submit their respective Certificates of Concurrence first. These certificates will serve as a guarantee that the agencies understand, approve and are willing to cooperate in the implementation of the pact.

Sources:
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Climate Home
Climate Central
PAGASA
Rappler
Science Daily

2017 FITNESS TRENDS

The New Year symbolizes fresh starts. For most of us, goals at the start of the year include a fitness routine. We all know the benefits of exercise: healthy skin, feel-good endorphins and overall physical wellness. And if you feel like trying something new to tone your muscles and burn fat, here are some of this year’s fitness trends!

1. Crawling

Looking for a multi-joint workout that engages the entire body with emphasis on the core and shoulder muscles? Do as the babies do before they learn to walk—crawl! In the book, Becoming Bulletproof, fitness expert Tim Anderson explains that infants crawl to develop unilateral strength in all four limbs, which is essential to walking. Crawling helps develop endurance and stability in the wrists, shoulders, hips, ankles and toe, while providing support for your back. Plus, it also promotes healthier blood pressure!


Video courtesy: Redefining Strength

2. Boxing

This anxiety-reducing, ultra-empowering workout has been around for a while, but some predict that it will be a hit more than ever this year. Aside from increasing endurance, strength and speed, it also has mental perks! Boxing requires a focused mind, and can also serve as a form of meditation.

This year, more and more women are getting into boxing. Gone are the stereotypes of bulky arms, monster muscles and nosebleed; boxing is now considered a brilliant way of sculpting and toning.

But if you’re too busy to swing by the gym, the next best thing is to do it virtually. Set to launch this year, The Boxx Method (theboxxmethod.com) is the “world’s first virtual boxing experience.”


Video courtesy: Wexer

3. Workout Apps

Let’s face it; gym memberships can be expensive. Home workouts are becoming more popular, not just because of their convenience, but also because of their affordability. This year, workout videos-on-demand will continue to expand this year on the internet. More and more people are streaming their daily needs, so why should workouts be any different? From strength training and yoga, to running and boxing, social media outlets are now providing fitness routines from health professionals.

Here’s our top 5 list of apps available free on Android and iOS that provide step-by-step instructions—just like an expensive trainer—for free:

1. Map My Fitness
2. Workout Trainer
3. Nike + Training Club
4. JEFIT
5. Daily Workouts

Exercise is medicine—and yes, it is possible to adopt a lifestyle that includes regular exercise. Go ahead and jumpstart your year with the life-boosting activities today!