PAGASA Weather Bulletin for Super-Typhoon Yolanda

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) released the latest weather bulletin for Super-typhoon Yolanda at 11:00 AM. The PAGASA Weather Bulletin contains weather data obtained around 10:00 in the morning.

According to the PAGASA weather bulletin, the eye of Typhoon Yolanda was located about 637 kilometers East of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur or 738 kilometers Southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar or at approximate position 8.9°N., 132.1°E.

According to PAGASA’s hourly updates, Typhoon Yolanda is at 644 km Southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. This update was issued around 1:00 in the afternoon.

PAGASA weather bulletin further states that Typhoon Yolanda has maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph.

Here is the projected typhoon track from the PAGASA weather bulletin:

PAGASA reports that the center of Typhoon Yolanda will hit Guiuan. The typhoon is expected to pass through the Philippines in roughly following order: Leyte, Biliran, Northern tip of Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, Southern part of Mindoro and Busuanga. It will exit the Philippine landmass on Saturday morning towards the West Philippine Sea.

Here is the list of places in the Philippines that has Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) according to PAGASA.

For information about Typhoon Yolanda, please visit the PHIVOLCS website.

Areas Affected by Big Earthquake of Marikina Fault Line

The earthquake that happened in Bohol last month is another eye-opener to Metro Manila citizens. We are as vulnerable as the Boholanos are. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), a major fault line passes through Metro Manila. This fault line is the West Valley Fault or more popularly known as Marikina Fault Line.

Marikina Fault Line passes through the eastern part of Metro Manila. It passes through Marikina City, Quezon City, Pasig City, Taguig City, Muntilupa City and some towns in the Provinces of Rizal and Laguna. For maps affected by the Marikina Fault Line, please read my post PHIVOLCS Map of Marikina Fault Line Affected Areas.

PHIVOLCS, with the funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), conducted a study on earthquake impact reduction for Metro Manila. The study contains information about the earthquake damage scenario for Metro Manila, damage estimation due to earthquake, and a master plan and action plans for safer Metro Manila.

Those who are interested in this research study should visit the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) page in PHIVOLCS website.

An interesting information that I saw in the MMEIRS is the map showing the areas that are most vulnerable if Marikina Fault Line will cause a very strong earthquake.

The areas encircled on the map corresponds to the areas listed in the study that is highly vulnerable to earthquakes caused by Marikina Fault Line. Here is the list as shown on the study made by PHIVOLCS.

The list shows that Navotas Bay Area, Western Marikina City Area, Manila North Port Area, Eastern Pasig City Area, South Eastern Manila City Area, Muntinlupa Laguna Bay Area, Central Manila Bay Area, Mandaluyong - Makati City Border Area, and North Eastern Quezon City Area are the most vulnerable areas.

The PHIVOLCS study also made a list of the type of vulnerabilities that the 9 high vulnerable areas may experience if Marikina Fault Line causes a big earthquake. Here is the list:

The MMEIRS is very valuable since it gives us information of the areas that will be severely affected by a big earthquake. All residents of Metro Manila, especially those who are living in the 9 highly vulnerable areas, should keep in mind these information. Let us all prepare and be ready because it is just a matter of time before Marikina Fault Line will cause a big earthquake.

For more earthquake preparedness tips please read PHIVOLCS Tips on Being Prepared for Earthquakes and Tsunami.

Also read my posts regarding earthquakes and tsunamis:

PHIVOLCS Maps of Marikina Fault Line Affected Areas

PHIVOLCS List of Fault Lines and Maps

PHIVOLCS Map of Tsunami Prone Areas

You may also read all of my posts related to earthquakes and tsunamis.

Selecting Our Engagement Ring

My Beloved and I are already in the process of selecting our wedding rings as our wedding day is just around the corner. This reminds me of the day when I selected an engagement ring for my girlfriend (now future wife) years ago. The way we are selecting our wedding rings is somewhat similar to the way I selected our engagement ring.

Engagement ring is just a small thing but it is an essential part of our relationship. This ring is clear symbol that I am choosing my Beloved to be my lifetime partner. Our engagement ring served as the sign to the world that we already have our vows and we are not ashamed of it.

The importance of the engagement ring means that I had to be careful in choosing it. I do not want to buy an engagement ring that my fiancee will not like. I want an engagement ring that she will be proud of wearing.

Choosing our engagement ring is not easy for because there are plenty of things that should be  factored in. One of these, which I think is the primary factor, is the price of the engagement ring. What I want, of course, is an engagement ring that will fit my budget.

Another factor is the design. My Beloved is just a simple lady and I wanted an engagement that will fit that personality. There are plenty of designs for engagement rings. There are those that have big stones (usually diamonds and rubies) and others that have small stones that were discreetly set on the ring. There are those that are just simple bands and then there are engagement rings that have weird designs.

The last factor is the kind of gold that for the engagement ring. I read that there many kinds of gold that can be used for jewelries. There is the Italian gold then there is the white gold. It depends on the mix of gold and other metals that were used to strengthen the jewelry.

I had a very hard time deciding. Good thing that there are plenty of resources in the Internet that can be consulted. I read about Tacori. I read about the advantages and disadvantages of 14 karat over 18 karat engagement rings. I also read about what a perfectly cut diamond should look.

There are also plenty of online shops that makes it easy for us to shop for our wedding rings. One online shop that I discovered is whiteflash.com. I was dazzled by the wide array of wedding rings that are available from this online jewelry store. If you want to see the wedding rings (or even engagement rings) that this online jewelry store has to offer, I highly suggest that you visit whiteflash.com.

In the end, I chose a simple engagement ring that is of white gold and have one small diamond stone. My Beloved liked it and with it she said her very sweet “YES”.

So, for those who are looking for engagement rings, I suggest that you decide based on the factors that I used. What's important is that you will show how much you love your girl when you propose. And the engagement ring that you will buy will symbolize that love.