Signal No. 2 raised in portions of eastern Luzon as ‘Karding’ intensifies into severe tropical storm

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

(PAGASA)

Tropical cyclone Karding (international name: Noru) intensified into a severe tropical storm, with Wind Signal No. 2 now raised over portions of eastern Luzon before Saturday noon, Sept. 24.

Karding further strengthened over the Philippine Sea, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

It has maximum sustained winds of 90 kph and gustiness of up to 105 kph, previously.

“This tropical cyclone is forecast to intensify into a typhoon prior to landfall over Central or Northern Luzon,” PAGASA said.

Signal No. 2 was hoisted in the southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue), the northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag), and Polillo Islands.

Signal No. 1 was raised in the southern portion of Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the southern portion of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the southern portion of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, the northern and central portions of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, the northern portion of Batangas, Camarines Norte, northern and eastern portions of Camarines Sur, and the northern portion of Catanduanes.

“Winds may reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted throughout the passage of Karding. Strong winds—strong breeze to near gale strength—will be experienced within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 1 is currently in effect,” PAGASA said.

“Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4,” it added.

Landfall seen in Isabela-Aurora area on Sunday

Karding was last seen 660 kilometers (km) east-southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, or 595 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, and was moving west-southwestward at 25 kph.

Karding is projected to move west-southwestward or westward while gradually accelerating toward the east coast of Isabela or Aurora, where it is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon, Sept. 25.

“After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon, the tropical cyclone is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow late evening or Monday early morning (Sept. 25). Karding will then continue tracking westward over the West Philippine Sea for the remainder of the forecast period,” it added.

Brace for heavy to intense rains

PAGASA said light to heavy rains may begin affecting Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and the northern portion of Aurora, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning.

For the rest of Sunday through early Monday morning, heavy to torrential rains may prevail over the southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and the northern portion of Zambales.

Moderate to intense rains may also prevail over the rest of Central Luzon, while moderate to heavy rains may affect Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Metro Manila, and the rest of Isabela and Cordillera Administrative Region.

“Under these conditions, scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA said.

It added that because of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” partly influenced by Karding, occasional rains are possible over most of Southern Luzon and Visayas, especially over the western sections, as early as Saturday

Registration for Manila Bulletin Sketchfest 2022 Davao and Manila in full swing

by Jane Kingsu-Cheng, Manila Bulletin

Now in its 11th year, the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest continues to attract students, art enthusiasts of all ages and creative groups from all over the Philippines.

From having only 200 participants and held in one venue in 2011 to having over 2600 participants the last time it was physically held in 2019 in different parts of the Philippines, the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest has grown exponentially to become a nationwide activity and as the signature event of Manila Bulletin. Since its conception, the annual on-the-spot poster making competition has promoted the advocacy of art.

The last two years have proven to be challenging, but Manila Bulletin was able to adapt by going online, and by even adding a digital art category.

There will again be three categories: On-the-Spot, Digital, and Exhibition. On-the-Spot will have three sub-categories of Kiddie, Junior, and Senior. Participants may join one category only.

Participants can win as much as P50,000 worth of prizes, and round trip tickets for two to any domestic destination courtesy of AirAsia for each leg.

This year, Sketchfest is back as a physical event, and will again be in three legs nationwide: SM Seaside Cebu on Sept. 17, 2022, SM City Davao on Oct. 1, 2022, and SM Mall of Asia on Oct. 22, 2022. This year’s theme is “Saving Earth” which reemphasizes the importance of the environment and its conservation.

Registration to the event is still open and is FREE for the Davao and Manila legs. To join, just simply log on to Sketchfest 2022’s official website https://sketchfest2022.mb.com.ph/

Manila Bulletin Sketchfest 2022 would like to thank its partners, SM Seaside Cebu, SM City Davao, SM Mall of Asia, Grab, AirAsia, Casino Filipino, MG Cars, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Palacio de Memoria, and National Museum of the Philippines.

MTRCB on regulating online video streaming services

by Stephanie Bernardino, Manila Bulletin

The Movie & Television Review & Classification Board (MTRCB) recently released a statement regarding talks about them expanding their jurisdiction to include online streaming services as urged by legislators.

According to MTRCB Chairperson Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio, they will weigh the pros and cons of it.

“The matter will go through the process and will be discussed by the Board. We will assess the impact of legislators’ call to expand the board’s jurisdiction to cover online streaming platforms and applications and come up with a balanced and fair position,” said Lala.

The statement also mentioned how concerned parents have been asking them to clamp down on movies, programs, and videos shown on various online streaming platforms, some of which they claim should be subjected to regulation.

However, other groups have countered the idea noting it could prompt platform creators to collect or increase subscription fees to the detriment of users.

Lala reiterated that they will balance all the concerns raised by various groups.

“I assure the public that the MTRCB shares everyone’s desire to ensure that children are not exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age.”

‘Best time to do business in PH is now’ — Marcos

NEW YORK, USA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told American investors here that the Philippines is a wise investment choice and that now is the best time to do business with the country.

Marcos said this as he graced the Philippine Economic Briefing in New York City on Thursday morning, September 22 (New York time).

In his speech, the President invited strategic investors in the United States to invest in the Philippines, citing the country’s “economic resurgence” following the Covid-19 pandemic.

'Karding' intensifies, on track to West PH Sea

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

TROPICAL Storm "Karding" has slightly intensified while it continues tracking over the West Philippine Sea, the state-run weather agency said on Friday.

Senior weather specialist Raymond Ordinario of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Karding is moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It was estimated some 970 km east of Northern Luzon while gradually accelerating toward the east coast or Aurora, Ordinario said.

Pagasa said tropical cyclone wind signals may be hoisted as early as Friday night over the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon, he said.

"Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Signal No. 3," the Pagasa weatherman added.

He said Karding is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon as a severe tropical storm.

"After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon throughout Sunday, the tropical cyclone will continue tracking over the West Philippine Sea," the Pagasa forecaster said.

Due to the southwest monsoon locally known as "habagat" partly influenced by the tropical storm, occasional rains are also possible beginning Sunday over most of Southern Luzon including Metro Manila and Visayas, especially over their western sections.

Over the next 24 hours, Pagasa said the trough of Karding and habagat will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Visayas, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region, Zambales and Bataan.

On one hand, Metro Manila and the rest of the country might have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the localized thunderstorms.