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For four years, Panahon TV, the country’s longest running weather program, has partnered with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to bring daily updates on weather and related issues such as disasters, preparedness and climate change.

This partnership was again solidified as Panahon TV’s Executive Producer Donna May Lina and Associate Producer Dr. Garrie David, as well as Drs. Vicente Malano and Landrico Dalida, PAGASA’s Administrator and Deputy Director, respectively, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on April 20, 2017 at the PAGASA office.

Nakita nyo rin ang aming commitment for PAGASA as we deliever the daily news. With our team here, we have found great meaning also in delivering the weather information to the Filipino people,” said Lina.

“Tamang-tama dahil yung ganitong klaseng undertaking, hindi naman ito competency ng PAGASA, kungdi ang pag-improve ng information dissemination ay makakatulong itong PanahonTV. Tulungan naman tayo dahil yung disaster risk reduction management ay hindi lang trabaho ng PAGASA, kungdi nating lahat. Marami tyaong pwedeng gawin on improving how we could communicate our information,” noted Dr. Malano.

Panahon TV airs daily on Pilipinas HD at 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM. The program also appears on DZRH News Television (channel 18 on Cignal, channel 129 on Sky Cable, channel 3 on Cable Link, and channel 135 on G Satellite) at 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

With this partnership, reliable weather information from PAGASA can be shared through various media platforms, such as the free Panahon TV mobile app on Android and IOS. Panahon TV also supplies content to DWIZ 882 kHz on AM radio, as well as major newspapers and magazines including the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer Libre, Inquirer Bandera, Inquirer Golf, The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, The Manila Times, Pilipino Mirror, BusinessMirror, United Daily News, United Daily Press, Cebu Daily News and Philippines Graphic.

A weather disturbance prevails in the western section of extreme Northern Luzon. At 4 AM today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was last spotted at 135 kilometers west of Basco, Batanes. In an interview with Panahon TV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Lori dela Cruz said that this LPA has a slim chance of developing into a tropical depression.

However, it may still dump rains in the regions of Cagayan Valley and Cordillera. Residents are advised to prepare for cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Meanwhile, the Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) continues to extend across Luzon and Visayas.

Easterlies are dominant oin Mindanao, bringing warm and humid weather. Metro Manila and the rest of the archipelago will experience generally fair weather but isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are still possible in the latter part of the day.

No gale warning is hoisted today. Sea travellers can safely venture out into the sea as coastal waters throughout the entire country will be slight to moderate.

#InSaTaginit: Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect
Have you noticed that the weather in the city like Metro Manila is much warmer than in nearby provinces? This is due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect wherein the urban or metropolitan area is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas.

Dela Cruz said there are factors that affect higher temperatures in the city such as human activities, machines and structures. Smaller vegetation or little evaporation causes cities to become warmer than the surrounding countryside.

Brace yourselves for another warm day. Here are the highest expected heat indices this Thursday:

Tuguegarao City =38.9 C
Metro Manila = 38.4 C
SBMA, Olongapo = 38.1 C
Puerto Princesa City = 37.6 C
Metro Cebu = 37.5 C

Brief Recap: #CrisingPH
Rains poured amid the observance of the Lenten Season after a Low Pressure Area (LPA) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Maundy Thursday. On Good Friday, it developed into a Tropical Depression and was named “Crising”. PAGASA issued Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 1 in several areas in Mindanao, Visayas and Southern Luzon. On Black Saturday, it made landfall in Hernani, Eastern Samar and weakened into a Low Pressure Area hours later.

Rainy Easter
The LPA, formerly Tropical Depression Crising, was last spotted at 85 kilometers east-southeast of Roxas City. This weather disturbance may still bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms in the regions of Eastern and Central Visayas. Residents of these areas are advised to prepare for possible flash floods and landslides.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced in the regions of Bicol, MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon & Palawan), Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, the rest of Visayas and the province of Quezon. Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

In an interview with Panahon TV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Robb Gile said that the LPA has yet to dissipate in the next 24 hours, bringing Easter rains mostly in parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

No gale warning was issued but fisherfolk and sea travelers are alerted against moderate to rough seas in Luzon and Visayas. The remaining seaboards will be slight to moderate.


Easter Earthquake

Another strong earthquake rattled parts of Mindanao earlier today. Measuring magnitude 5.2, the quake has a depth of 3 kilometers and an epicenter located at 14 kilometers west of Wao, Lanao del Sur.

PHIVOLCS recorded different intensities, indicating that the tremor was also felt in nearby areas. Intensity 5 rocked Wao, Lanao del Sur while residents of Kalilangan, Bukidnon experienced Intensity 4. Meanwhile, Intensity 3 was felt in Cotabato City and Intensity 2 in other parts of Bukidnon, including Pangantucan, Maramag, Valencia City and Quezon. No initial reports of damage yet but the public is advised to be alert against possible aftershocks.

All of us have a dream job – one that can fulfill the desires of our hearts and the needs of our pockets. For fresh graduates, such is the ultimate goal as they find their place in the workforce.

When an online job portal website released a list of jobs that supposedly provided the best salaries, we asked employees in the fields mentioned what they thought about the report. Read on and may their words of wisdom guide you in choosing your first job.

LEGAL SERVICES


Mark Anthony Rojo
San Beda College, Class of 2015
Bachelor of Laws
Junior Associate

What can you say about the report?
We have to distinguish first; those who enter our field as fresh college graduates with a background on legal studies (Legal Management or Political Science) are employed as paralegals, which, I think they are well compensated. Their salary is around P25,000 to 30,000 gross. On the other hand, a law graduate, who has taken the Bar Exam is hired as a Legal Assistant, compensated in the same way as a lawyer. When I was former Legal Assistant, I was paid around P40,000 gross amount plus benefits.

What do you consider as the most difficult part of your job?
The hardest part is the responsibility in managing the affairs of our clients.

Is your salary worth it?
To be honest, I think a salary raise is needed, considering the volume of our work.

What is your advice to fresh graduates who plan to work in the same field?
Work hard and be patient to make it. It will be difficult at first. But to stay in the game, you have to get out of your comfort zone.

HEALTHCARE


Franklin C. Manuel
Saint Michael’s College of Laguna, Class of 2011
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Registered Staff Nurse

What can you say about the report?
Healthcare includes healthcare providers and various employees on the healthcare team. Each healthcare provider has a special role. Some involve doctors or technicians who help diagnose disease, such as medical doctors and technologists; others are experts who treat disease or care for the patients’ physical and emotional needs, such as nurses and therapists. The first time I saw the report, I was surprised by the salary offered in the healthcare industry. It seems too good to be true for us nurses working in public and private institutions. It would’ve been better if the website specifically indicated the profession that had that kind of salary, like doctors.

What do you consider as the most difficult part of your job?
We, nurses, do the dirty work like cleaning up the patients’ excretions, and bathing and washing them, thus exposing ourselves to different diseases. RESPONSIBILITY is our byword. To become fully, legally and ethically responsible for very sick people and knowing that the very well-being of patients is in our hands can add to the tremendous weight already on our shoulders.

Is your salary worth it?
Ideally and legally, according to R.A 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, we should be compensated fairly. But in reality, this never happens. We have low salaries, less benefits and run the risk of having communicable diseases. The way I see it, this is how nurses are treated in our country compared to abroad.

What is your advice to fresh graduates who plan to work in the same field?
You should know yourself more deeply, because nursing is not just a profession, but also as vocation. It is full of hardships and sacrifice. You need to invest time, energy, health, bravery and patience to fuel your future.

JOURNALISM


Gerald Saavedra
Malayan Colleges Laguna, Class of 2014
B.A. in Communication, Major in Multimedia Arts
Senior Television Producer

What can you say about the report?
I am curious about how the study was conducted and the factors involved. A well-performing call center agent can get more income than a senior producer of a major media network; this is because some of the call center agent’s revenue follows a commission-baed system compared to the wage system commonly used in most companies. Also, the salary should not be the sole basis of one’s preferred career. One should also consider their passion and the said career’s impact on the greater system of things. But if want to find out if I am paid competently as a senior producer, my answer would be yes.

What do you consider as the most difficult part of your job?
News and current affairs’ usual challenges are fact verification and ethical concerns. In an age of internet .trolls, fake articles, and people eager to post sensational news, it’s a challenge to bring the truth to the public. Media ethics tread on a thin line, but we manage to overcome this by sticking to what we believe in, which is telling the story of the Filipino.

Is your salary worth it?
Yes. But salary is not a big factor in choosing this job.

What is your advice to fresh graduates who plan to work in the same field?
Stick to your strengths and passion. When you love what you do, your job will make you feel complete, and you will push yourself to the limit. Also, choose your first job carefully. Each job you take should build your career and help mold you to be a responsible citizen.


Mark Gene D. Makalalad
Polytechnic University of the Philippines Class 2013
Bachelor in Broadcast communication
Reporter

What can you say about the report?
I think the field I am in deserves to be among the highest-paying jobs in the country. However, this is not the scenario in all companies. Neophyte reporters get a range of P12,000 -17,000, and might increase over time.

What do you consider as the most difficult part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is doing several tasks at the same time, and doing more tasks with so little time—most especially if you work for a not-so-big network, with less manpower.

Is your salary worth it?
No, salary does not always compensate for these hardships.

What is your advice to fresh graduates who plan to work in the same field?
While the salary does not compensate for hardships, fulfillment and passion do. My advice to fresh graduates who are planning to work in the same field is to do what you want to do. Happiness and success do not always equate to money. You can always do better if you love what you’re doing.

IT-RELATED


Rossano Dionio
STI College Muñoz EDSA, Class of 2014
Diploma in Information Technology
IT Support

What can you say about the report?
It depends on what level or industry you are working in—unless you are working overseas. I previously worked overseas and I can say that you can earn more abroad.

What do you consider as the most difficult part of your job?
You are required to resolve the issue as fast as possible without panic, as it will just lead to mistakes. Also, there are new things that you are required to study in order to survive a dynamic environment.

Is your salary worth it?
No. Sometimes, people won’t notice or understand what you are doing.

What is your advice to fresh graduates who plan to work in the same field?
Try to be in a company that specializes, or at least has the right technology in the field that you want. Don’t be afraid of things that you don’t know. Try new things and don’t get stuck with what you are used to.

EDUCATION


Angelo Cleofas Jabagat
Polytechnic University of the Philippine Manila, Class of 2013
Bachelor in Business Education
Public High School Teacher

What can you say about the report?
With our current starting salary of P19,500 based on the Salary Standardization Act of 2015, it can be accepted that yes, education is one of the fields that offers a high salary. But I guess they have underestimated the overall cost teachers have to go through to perform their duties. I believe that we belong to the group of highest-paid workers in the country, but we also belong to those who have the lowest net salary. These are two different things.

What do you consider as the most difficult part of your job?
For me the hardest part of being a teacher is that every day is a different routine. Unlike others who do the same thing every day, we, teachers have to think of various activities and strategies to deliver our lesson.

Is your salary worth it?
Our salary is not even enough to support our family— what more for our daily expenses for our teaching and test materials, paperwork, classroom decorations and the like? We even shoulder some of our students’ allowances if they really do not have money for their lunch and projects.

What is your advice to fresh graduates who plan to work in the same field?
I do not consider this as an advice but a reminder: if you want to become rich financially, don’t pursue a teaching career. No one becomes rich in teaching. Every teacher needs to have their additional sideline just to support their family’s needs. But teaching is not all about money. You take part in each of your students’ lives and that is something money can’t simply replace. Teaching is for passionate people. If you do not have the passion for teaching, you better find a new career.

BANKING


Arl Valenzuela
Bachelor of Broadcast Communication, Class of 2013
Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila
Bank Teller

What can you say about the report?
Honestly, I really don’t know where they got the figure! It’s not the entry-level salary in any bank.

What do you consider as the most difficult part of your job?
The hardest part is dealing with clients who always insist on what they want even if it’s against the bank’s policy. Sometimes, you also have to pay for your shortages, which sometimes, is actually higher than a teller’s salary. There’s also a reputational risk. Because money is the root of all evil as they say, some bank employees may be exposed to temptation.

Is your salary worth it?
Actually no, but as you start loving what you do, you eventually desire to always give your best every day.

What is your advice to fresh graduates who plan to work in the same field?
Being a bank employee is not really an easy job. You’re being entrusted with money that your clients worked hard for, and you need to protect it. You can eventually learn the process; you just have to be committed.

PUBLIC RELATIONS


Maria Cathlea Rosas
De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, Class of 2011
Bachelor of Arts Major Communication
Copywriter

What can you say about the report?
In the creative field, your ideas are your output. They’re the product you have to sell to the clients. You have to work from scratch—to create something out of nothing. And you have to keep up with the trend. When you master the ins and outs of the job, a career as a creative can really be rewarding.

What do you consider as the most difficult part of your job?
When you’re not in the mood to create. When you don’t get momentum. When the creative brief’s not really a creative brief. Burnout. Creative block. Insane deadlines. When clients ask you to “do something like this, but different.”

Is your salary worth it?
Sometimes it motivates you. Most of the time, it doesn’t. When you’re in the middle of giving birth to ideas for a full stretch-campaign, your salary is going to be the last thing on your mind. (But on Friday nights and piso fare sales, it is.)

What is your advice to fresh graduates who plan to work in the same field?
Learn and unlearn. Believe in your ideas. But don’t fall madly in love with them. Know when to push it and when not to push it. Know when to say your but, and when to save your butt. Know that clients have the last say. They’re paying you for what you can bring to the table. So yup, you still have the last say, technically.

Fair Weather on Palm Sunday

For millions of Catholics across the world, today marks the beginning of the Holy Week. This day commemorates the bible story wherein Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem where He was welcomed by a crowd waving palm branches. As part of today’s tradition, devotees head to church bearing young coconut leaves woven as palms to be blessed by the priests.

PHOTO: Devotees attend the Palm Sunday mass in Nuestra Soñora de la Porteria Church in Daraga, Albay. (Courtesy of Gov. Joey Salceda)

Marking this tradition is generally fair weather, which prevails today. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will be experienced in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This weather condition is caused by the Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) extending across Northern and Central Luzon, and the Easterlies affecting the eastern sections of Southern Luzon, of Visayas, and of Mindanao.

“Ridge” refers to the extended part of a High Pressure Area or an anticyclone. Unlike a Low Pressure Area, this indicates an area where the atmospheric pressure is higher than its surroundings. Formation of clouds is usually suppressed, producing a less chance of rains. Likewise, Easterlies are warm and humid winds coming from the Pacific Ocean, which usually affect the eastern section of the country. However, since warm air or heat is a major factor for cloud formation, Easterlies can also generate isolated thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

In an interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Rob Gile, no weather disturbance is expected to affect the Philippine within the Holy Week but the public is still advised to continue monitoring updates.

Weather plays an important role in our lives. By monitoring the weather, we are equipped to handle our routines and are prepared for possible hazards.

But in this day and age where ideas can be disseminated with the click of a mouse, it’s our responsibility to verify before sharing them. To get you started, here are some weather myths that need to be debunked.

1) Climate and weather are the same.

This is one of the most common weather misconceptions that can be clarified by understanding one important factor – time.

Weather refers to the condition of the atmosphere over a short period of time. It is what we experience when we step outside on any day: sunny, windy, cloudy, rainy or stormy. Climate, on the other hand, refers to how the atmosphere behaves over a relatively long period of time, usually 30 years or more.

2) Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

Originating from an idiom which means that a highly unlikely incident can never happen to the same person twice, this myth–when taken seriously— can actually lead to misfortune.
The truth is that tall, pointed, isolated objects can generate strong electric fields that can be repeatedly struck by lightning.

In the Philippines for example, lightning has struck the Metro Rail Transit lines thrice in the past years, halting operations. In fact, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) explained that cloud-to-ground lightning frequently strikes the ground in two or more places. The chances of being struck are about 45% higher than what most of us commonly assume.

3) Sun + Rains = Tikbalang Wedding

According to Philippine folklore, whenever rains fall while the sun is shining, it means that a mythical creature called tikbalang (a half-human, half horse trickster that hangs out in the forests and mountains, leading travelers astray) is being wed.

PAGASA explains that both sunshine and rain may occur at the same time during the Hot and Dry Season. Called “sun showers”, this happens when the ground surface heats up, resulting to a vertical movement of warm air. This forms clouds that bring precipitation while the sun is at a 30-degree angle from the earth. This weather phenomenon most likely occurs in the months of March, April and May.

4) There is summer in the Philippines.

Summer vacations, summer adventures and summer getaways are some phrases we off-handedly use during school break from March to May. do you know that there is no summer here in the country?

According to PAGASA, the Philippines, being a tropical country, has only two official seasons – wet and dry. A season refers to the time of the year caused by the tilting of the Earth. The location of an area, whether it is in the northern or southern hemisphere, affects its seasons. Other regions have complete seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall.

In Philippine context, the Hot and Dry Season is the equivalent of summer. This marks the start of warm and humid days.