PHIVOLCS Tsunami Alert Levels

Many people, especially those who are leaving near fault lines, are afraid of earthquakes. Such fear is understandable because the effects of earthquake is very great. Toppled houses, hundreds of dead people and destruction of many lives are just few of the many negative effects of earthquake.

Many people living along the Marikina Fault Line (West Valley Fault) are considering leaving their place and choose an area that is more safe. It is thought that it is safe to live far away from the fault line.

People living away from any fault line but living near the coast should not be complacent, however. Fault lines might be far away from their homes but the fact is that they are threatened by tsunami.

Tsunami is the wave created by earthquakes occuring under the sea. The destruction caused by tsunami is so great that a tsunami in Sendai, Japan (2011) killed hundreds of people.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is the lead government agecy when it comes to earthquakes and tsunami. PHIVOLCS created a map showing the areas in the Philippines that are threatened by tsunami. PHIVOLCS also had maps showing the location of fault lines.

Aside from these, PHIVOLCS also created Tsunami Alert Levels that can be used by coastal communities when deciding what to do when there is threat of tsunami.

Here are the PHIVOLCS Tsunami Alert Levels:

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Information on PHIVOLCS tsunami alert levels was obtained from PHIVOLCS website.

How to Make Palaspas

The Holy Week is getting near and I am sure that many Catholics are preparing for their yearly “panata”. Some of you will do the Visita Iglesia, which is the vow of visiting 7 churches during Maundy Thursday. Others will do the pasyon, which is the singing of the sorrowful suffering and death of our Lord. Few will do self flagellation and crucifixion on Good Friday.

However, before we reach the Holy Week we had to celebrate Palm Sunday or the Linggo ng Palaspas (in Filipino). On Palm Sunday, we commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem. People welcomed our Lord with great joy by throwing their cloaks and palm leaves as His carpet.

Pinoys celebrating Linggo ng Palaspas.

Palaspas, especially those with beautiful designs, are a little expensive. Fortunately, we have a small palm plant in front of our house. My mother just get some palm leaves and that's what we bring to the church.

What if you don't want a simple palaspas and you also don't want to buy the expensive ones? What you'll gonna do? The solution is to make your own palaspas.

Good thing that Tinay Bialaga made a tutorial video on how to make palaspas. What I like with her videos is that she features different designs of palaspas. These palaspas designs include heart design, whip lash design, cross design and zigzag design.

Watch her video here and learn how to make palaspas.

Palaspas Heart Design

Palaspas Zigzag Design

Palaspas Mized Design

Want to learn the other designs? Go to the YouTube page of Tinay Bialaga. Hope that you watch and learn.

27-Peso AirPhil Express Promo

I guess the fight for the lowest AirPhil Express promo has just begun. The airline company just announced its latest promo. The lowest deal is the 27 pesos airfare from Cebu, Davao, Manila and Zamboanga to various destinations in Visayas Islands and Mindanao.

27 Pesos AirPhil promo is available to the following routes:

1. Cebu City to Bacolod City, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Caticlan, Davao City, General Santos City, Iloilo City, Kalibo (Aklan), Legazpi City, Ozamiz City, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa City, Surigao City, Tacloban City, and Zamboanga City. 

2. Zamboanga to Jolo and Tawi-tawi. 

3. Davao to Cagayan de Oro City, Iloilo City, and Zamboanga City.

4. Manila to Legazpi City, Puerto Princesa City, Kalibo, Roxas, and Tacloban City. 

This 27-peso AirPhil Express promo is only available selling period of February 25 – 28, 2013 for the travel period of September 01 - November 30, 2013.

Aside from 27-peso promo, AirPhil Express also offer 688 pesos intro fare for Manila to Basco (Batanes) flight.

AirPhil Express is giving this promo because the Manila – Basco route was just newly opened.

This 688-peso intro promo can be booked from February 25 – 28, 2013 for the travel period May 01 – August 31, 2013.

Go to AirPhil Express website now and avail of this promo!