Albay town gears up for possible Mayon eruption

BY NIÑO LUCES

Jun 6, 2023 01:02 PM

  

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LEGAZPI CITY, Albay -- The town of Sto. Domingo in this province is preparing for a possible eruption of Mayon Volcano after authorities raised the alert level from 1 to 2 on Monday morning, June 5.

Mayor Jun Aguas said that Mayon-unit barangay risk reduction and management councils (BDRRMCs) and other concerned LGUs will convene for preparation, evacuation and execution of the plan in case the volcano erupts.

A photo of Mayon Volcano with crater glow was taken by Erickson Balderama in Sto. Domingo town around 4:40 a.m. on Tuesday. Balderama said that the photo is a long exposure shot using 800 telephoto scope. (Photo by Erickson Balderama)

Mayor Aguas said that part of their action plan is to issue advisories on the current status of the volcano and prohibit entrance or human activity inside the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).

The local government will also establish a Mayon Volcano response cluster approach through an executive order.

The LOGU is also set to activate BDRRMCs and MDRRMC for alert preparedness and monitoring status and at the same time conduct inventory of BDRRMC and MDRRMC resources and rescue equipment.

Mayor Aguas said the province is now in the process of identifying the evacuation areas for the affected residents, and readying the needed materials and lifelines.

In their action plan, prepositioning of basic emergency supplies; establishing agreement with the transport sector for evacuation purposes and monitoring of affected communities are being done.

Paul Alanis, resident volcanologist of Phivolcs here, said that phreatic eruption may occur but there is a small chance of having a big eruption.

As of 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Phivolcs recorded at least 74 rockfall events at the crater of Mayon Volcano. Other parameters such as sulfur emission are above average and the slope of Mayon is inflated.

Press Briefing: Tropical Depression "#ChedengPH" Update Tuesday 11:30AM ...

Girls’ Generation’s Yuri to hold fan meeting in Manila

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Jun 5, 2023 04:04 PM

  

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Yuri, member of K-pop group Girls’ Generation, will be coming to Manila to hold a fan meeting in July. 

The official Twitter account of Girls’ Generation and Yuri made the announcement on June 5 as well as events company CNCA. 

Girls' Generation member Yuri (Instagram) 

(CNCA)

The K-pop idol will be holding her “Yuri 2nd Fanmeeting Tour: Chapter 2” in Manila on July 9, 7 p.m., at the New Frontier Theater. 

“Are you ready for a new chapter? YURI is finally coming for her first-ever solo fan meet in Manila on July 9, 2023 (Sunday) 7PM at The New Frontier Theater! Tickets will be available on http://ticketnet.com.ph or any TicketNet outlets later at 3PM!” CNCA posted on Twitter. 

Yuri’s second fan meeting will be held in Seoul on July 1 followed by Manila on July 9, Bangkok on July 22 and Taipei on Aug. 6. 

Besides singing, Yuri has also ventured into acting, starring in dramas such as “Good Job,” “Bossam: Steal the Fate” and “Fashion King.”

Heavy rainfall causes road inconvenience to Davaoeños

Vehicles wade through the flooded road in Lanang area of Davao City on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Heavy rains on Monday night swamped many parts of the city causing traffic congestion and temporary closure of some business establishments. (MB Video by Keith Bacongco)

‘Increased unrest’: 74 rockfall events at Mayon Volcano in past 24 hours

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Jun 6, 2023 09:49 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Phivolcs said the rockfall events lasted one to four minutes.
• “Moderate” degassing from the summit crater continued, which produced steam-laden plumes that drifted to the west-southwest. 
• Alert Level 2 was raised on June 5 due to the "increased unrest" at the Mayon Volcano. 

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The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 74 rockfall events at Mayon Volcano in the last 24 hours as a result of the ongoing volcanic unrest.

In its bulletin issued at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, Phivolcs said the rockfall events lasted one to four minutes and “emplaced lava debris on the southern gullies within a kilometer from the summit crater.”

“Thin brownish-gray ash from the rockfalls also drifted to the general southwest,” it pointed out.

According to Phivolcs, “moderate” degassing from the summit crater continued, which produced steam-laden plumes that drifted to the west-southwest. 

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 208 tons per day when it was last measured on June 5.

Phivolcs’ visual and camera monitoring of the Mayon Volcano on June 5, 2023 (Screengrab from Phivolcs)

“Short-term observations from EDM and electronic tiltmeter monitoring show the upper slopes to be inflating since February 2023. Longer-term ground deformation parameters based on EDM, precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring indicate that Mayon is still inflated, especially on the northwest and southeast,” Phivolcs said.

Alert Level 2 was raised on June 5 due to the "increased unrest" at the Mayon Volcano. 

“The public is reminded that there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruptions,” Phivolcs said.

“Entry into the six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone must be strictly prohibited to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfalls, and landslides. In case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Mayon’s crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth, or dust mask,” it pointed out.

Phivolcs also requested that authorities advise pilots to avoid flying near the volcano's summit because ash from a sudden eruption can be dangerous to aircraft. 

Shades of green: How to create a garden in shady areas

Gardening is a popular hobby that allows people to connect with nature and beautify their surroundings. However, not all gardens have access to abundant sunlight. Shady areas pose a challenge for gardeners, but with the right knowledge and techniques, it is possible to grow plants successfully even in these conditions.

BY JAMES TABABA

Jun 5, 2023 01:01 PM

  

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 (Priscilla Du Preez/Unsplash)

By JAMES TABABA

Gardening is a popular hobby that allows people to connect with nature and beautify their surroundings. However, not all gardens have access to abundant sunlight. Shady areas pose a challenge for gardeners, but with the right knowledge and techniques, it is possible to grow plants successfully even in these conditions.

Choosing the right plants

When it comes to gardening in shady areas, selecting the right plants is crucial. While not all plants thrive in shady areas, many shade-tolerant crops are available. Choose for shade-tolerant varieties that thrive with limited sunlight. There are several vegetables that can tolerate shade to some extent. Leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, kale, and herbs like parsley and mint can grow reasonably well in shady areas. However, it's important to note that most vegetables thrive in full sun. Additionally, many beautiful flowers are well-suited for shady gardens. Some popular choices include impatiens, begonias, and ferns.

Ensuring sufficient lighting

Although shade gardens lack direct sunlight, there are ways to maximize the available light. Trim or remove overhanging branches to increase the penetration of natural light. Additionally, consider using reflective surfaces such as light-colored fences or walls to bounce light onto plants. In extreme cases, supplementing with artificial lighting, such as grow lights, can help provide the necessary light spectrum for plant growth.

Controlling weed growth

Weed management is crucial in any garden, including shady areas. Weeds compete with plants for nutrients and resources, hindering their growth. To control weeds effectively, employ strategies like regular hand-pulling, using a hoe, or applying organic mulch. Mulching is particularly beneficial in shady gardens as it helps conserve moisture and suppress weed growth.

Pruning and maintenance

Proper pruning and general maintenance are essential for the health and appearance of shade plants. Pruning helps maintain the shape of plants, remove dead or damaged foliage, and promote airflow. Trim back overgrown branches to allow more light to reach the lower parts of the plants. Additionally, regularly check for signs of disease or nutrient deficiencies and take appropriate measures to address them promptly.

By choosing shade-tolerant plants, preparing the soil, providing adequate lighting, managing weeds and pests, and maintaining proper pruning and care, you can create a lush garden in even the shade-covered spaces.

Outsmarting the know-it-all

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE should never dare to deceive God. In the gospel, there is a part where some leading Jews dared to trap Christ in his speech. (cfr. Mk 12,13-17) They asked if it was lawful to pay census tax to Caesar. 

Of course, Christ knew what was behind that question. He therefore asked them to show him a denarius. And since the image of Caesar was in that coin, he just dismissed the whole issue by telling them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” So, their “gotcha” question completely backfired.

The same thing happened when they accused Christ of casting out demons by the power of the ruler of demons. (cfr. Mk 3,22) That’s when Christ pointed out the inconsistency in their logic. “How can Satan drive out Satan?” he asked. “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mk 3,23-25)

Clearly, when one is driven by unbelief and hatred, his reasoning can go off the rails, even the simplest of logic is thrown out. We need to do everything to always strengthen our belief in God, the very cause, origin and pattern of unity amid the vast and increasing diversity and variety of elements we can have in this world.

Nowadays, we are seeing the intriguing phenomenon of asserting what is right and moral as wrong and immoral, and vice-versa. What is clearly an expression of true freedom is now called slavery, and vice-versa. What should clearly be considered as taboo is now regarded as a human right. The forms of self-contradictions go on and on.

To correct this situation or, at least, to deal properly with it, we need to take care and strengthen our belief and our charity. We cannot take this duty for granted, especially now when the world is sinking in confusion and error as it distances itself farther from God.

            

            In many places in the world today, people are now legalizing and inculturating outright immoralities and perversions, rationalizing them as part of their human rights, their freedom, or as a gesture of tolerance on a multiplicity of preferences, etc.

            

            This is a big challenge for all Christian believers who want to be all-the-way consistent with their faith and with humanity itself, for the issues at hand are not just a matter of a particular religion but rather that of our common humanity.

            

            And the Christian faith is not meant only for a few. It is for all, though it obviously is not meant to be imposed on everyone. It has to be accepted knowingly, freely, lovingly, that is, with charity.

Instead of responding to evil with evil, hatred with hatred, we should rather respond to evil with good, hatred with love. That way we turn things around, rather than plunge into the spiral of evil and hatred.

This was specifically articulated by St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans where he said: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Rom 12,17-20)

We have to try our best to erase whatever disbelief, doubt or skepticism we can have as we consider this teaching, since most likely, our first and spontaneous reaction to it would precisely be those reactions.

Pagasa: Potential LPA may enter PAR Monday

(A cloud cluster is being monitored. This is the one expected to become a low pressure area and enter the Philippine area of responsibility. We will continue to monitor this because it is possible that today or tomorrow, this will become a certified low pressure area.)      

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau is monitoring two weather systems, one of which is a possible low pressure area (LPA) that may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Monday or Tuesday.  

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), one of the weather systems is already an LPA on the western side of  the country but is not expected to enter PAR. 

“Isa namang cloud cluster ang minomonitor natin sa kasalukuyan. Mas ito po ang expect natin maging low pressure area at pumasok sa Philippine area of responsibility. Patuloy natin itong imomonitor kasi posible po ngayong araw o bukas ito’y maging ganap na low pressure area,” said Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina. 

“Habagat” rain 

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or “habagat” is forecast to trigger rain over western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Palawan, said Pagasa. 

Pagasa added that Metro Manila and the rest of the country may also expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains due to localized thunderstorms.  

No gale warnings have been raised by Pagasa on Monday, but warned of possible flash floods and landslides in areas affected by rainfall.

Luzon

Metro Manila: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Baguio City: 16 to 23 degrees Celsius

Laoag City:  25 to 33 degrees Celsius

Tuguegarao: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Legazpi City: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Puerto Princesa City: 25 to 31 degrees Celsius

Tagaytay: 22 to 30 degrees Celsius

Kalayaan Islands: 26 to 31 degrees Celsius

Visayas

Iloilo City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Cebu: 26 to 31 degrees Celsius

Tacloban City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Mindanao

Cagayan De Oro City: 25 to 31 degrees Celsius

Zamboanga City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Davao City: 24 to 33 degrees Celsius