Typhoon Pepeng

'Pepeng' intensifies further; 7 areas now under Signal No. 1
SOPHIA M. DEDACE, GMANews.TV
10/01/2009 | 08:22 AM

(UPDATE 10 - 10:20 p.m.) Typhoon "Pepeng (Parma)" intensified further on Thursday afternoon, prompting the government to place six Luzon provinces and an island off the north-eastern coast of Quezon province under a storm alert.

Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Quezon, Aurora, and Polillo Island are now under Public Storm Signal No. 1, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 p.m. advisory.

Pepeng is the 16th weather disturbance that hit the Philippines this year. The country has not yet recovered from the devastation caused by tropical storm "Ondoy (Ketsana)," which claimed at least 277 lives and damaged close to P5 billion worth of infrastructure and agricultural crops.
Pagasa said Pepeng had gained strength and is now packing maximum winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

The typhoon, carrying what Pagasa called "disastrous" winds, was spotted 440 kilometers (km) east of Catarman, Northern Samar and was forecast to move west northwest at 24 kph.

Heavy rains

Heavy rains are expected in the Bicol Region and Eastern Luzon starting Thursday night, weather bureau chief Nathaniel Cruz told GMANews.TV. The rains would be triggered not just by Pepeng but by the southwest monsoon as well, he added.

On Friday afternoon, the typhoon is expected to be 100 km northeast of Virac in Catanduanes, according to Pagasa's 5 p.m. weather bulletin.

The latest bulletin said Pepeng was expected to make a landfall between the provinces of Aurora and Isabela and within the vicinity of Mt. Province in the Cordillera region Saturday morning.

On Sunday afternoon, it is expected to be 190 km northwest of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.

Not yet a super typhoon

With 195 kph of maximum sustained winds, Pepeng has not yet intensified into a super typhoon, which carries minimum sustained winds of 220 kph, according to Cruz.

A separate forecast from the US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center has already classified Pepeng as a super-typhoon. It said Pepeng was already packing maximum sustained winds of 240 kph based on a one-minute average over open water.

However, forecasts of weather agencies in Asia - Korea Meteorological Administration, Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau, and Japan Meteorological Agency - based on a 10-minute average, are similar to that of the Philippine weather bureau’s 195 kph.

Meanwhile, Beijing’s National Meteorological Center said Pepeng’s maximum sustained winds had already reached 200 kph on a two-minute average.

But the public should not underestimate Pepeng's strength, according to Cruz.

“Ang concern kay Pepeng ay ang kanyang disastrous winds (Our concern is Pepeng's disastrous winds)," said Cruz.

"Kahit walang mararanasang masyadong malalakas na ulan sa Metro Manila at sa mga kapatagan, pero ang mga pag-ulan sa kabundukan ay magiging sanhi pa rin ng pagbaha. Yan ang ating babantayan," added Cruz.


(Even if there will be less rainfall in Metro Manila, residents must still prepare against floods because rainfall in the mountains could trigger floods.)

Cruz said Pepeng’s strength could be more than Category 5, the highest tropical cyclone level, based on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. The said category packs minimum sustained winds of 250 kph.

“Ito ay napakalakas na bagyo. Dahil nasa karagatan pa ito, sa Philippine Sea, may oras pa para lumakas…kaya isang malaking bagyo ang ating binabantayan ngayon," Cruz said in a separate interview on 24 Oras.

(This is really a strong typhoon. Because it’s still in the Philippine Sea, it still has time to intensify further. So we are monitoring a really strong typhoon now.)

Dams to release water

Major water reservoirs in Luzon will be releasing water to prepare against dam spills when Pepeng, the 16th weather disturbance to hit the Philippines this year, starts rampaging across the country, Pagasa's Susan Villanueva said earlier in the day.

“Ang major reservoir ay magpapakawala ng tubig para ibaba ang safe level ng dam at elevation. Para pagdating ng ulan, meron tayong storage at hihina na ang pag-spill pagdating ng ulan at hindi na sasabay," she said.

(Major water reservoirs will be releasing water to achieve a safe level. In that way, we will have storage space when Peping arrives and water spills will be minimized.)

During Ondoy’s rampage, there was widespread public speculation that several dams in the region released volumes of water at the same time, causing the unprecedented swelling of the Marikina and Pasig Rivers. Operators of dams have denied the reports.

Fear of rain

Fear gripped Metro Manilans Thursday noon as dark clouds dumped heavy rains on parts of Quezon City, causing zero visibility in some thoroughfares.

The rains that started pouring minutes before 12 noon brought some motorists along Tomas Morato Avenue to a halt. Commuters became jittery, fearing that the showers were caused by Pepeng and would worsen the situation in the metropolis where many areas remain stuck in mud and floods due to tropical storm "Ondoy" (Ketsana)

But Cruz said the noonday rain had nothing to do with Pepeng, and was just "part of a thunderstorm."

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard reported that 139 passengers were left stranded in the capital city of Albay province on Thursday morning due to the rains triggered by the onset of Pepeng. They were stranded in various ports and transportation terminals in three barangays (villages) in Legazpi City.

Tropical depression "Melor"

Meanwhile, Pagasa weather forecaster Mario Palafox said a tropical depression (international codename "Melor") which is following Pepeng is still outside Philippine territory and is unlikely to enhance the typhoon.

"Itong tropical depression papasok sa boundary ng Philippine area of responsibility, pero 'di makaapekto sa atin (The tropical depression after Pepeng may enter the boundary of the Philippine area of responsibility but is unlikely to affect us directly)," he added. - with reports from Mark Merueñas and Kim Tan, GMANews.TV

Typhoon Ondoy (International name: Ketsana)

from: http://profiles.friendster.com/116292315

Typhoon Ondoy (International name: Ketsana) has devastated millions of Filipinos in the Philippines.

Ondoy roared across the northern Philippines near Manila on Saturday, dumping more than a month's worth of rain in just 12 hours.

Nearly 300,000 people were affected by storm, including some 47,000 people who were brought to about 100 schools, churches and other evacuation shelters, officials said.

In this time of need, let us all work hand in hand together to help out our brothers and sisters in the Philippines.

Friendster has compiled all the verified rescue relief centers across the country, as well as abroad.

With a little effort and helping out, we can give aid and assistance to those in need faster.

Show you care.

Friendster cares.

HOW TO DONATE:

RED CROSS
For logins from the Philippines:
- To donate to the Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: RED <> AMOUNT can be <10,> to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart).
- Donate to the Philippine Red Cross

For International logins:
- Donate to the Philippine Red Cross rescue and relief via Paypal.

SMART RELIEF
Via SMART Money
-- SMART Money accountholders may help victims of typhoon Ondoy by donating to the PLDT Smart Foundation Inc. (PSF) Ondoy-Smart Money account. Text ONDOY <> to 270. Or go to your Smart Money menu > purchase > mpay > store code (ONDOY) > pay from > choose card > amount > confirmation (OK) > enter W-Pin.

Via RED CROSS
-- SMART subscribers may help victims of typhoon Ondoy by donating to the Philippine National Red Cross via text. Text RED <10,> to 4483. Example: To donate P100, text RED 100 to 4483. Only donated amount will be deducted from your current load. No other charges applied.

DONATION IN THE FORM OF RELIEF GOODS may be turned over at the following SMART Wireless Centers: SM Muntinlupa, SM Bicutan, SM Sucat, Festival Mall, Ali Mall, Gateway, SM Fairview, SM North Annex, ATC South Mall, and Megamall. Selected PLDT business offices (locations to be announced) will also be accepting donated relief goods.

Relief Operation
1) SMART Libreng Tawag Centers at the following: Barangay Barangka Hall in Marikina City; Ever Gotesco Mall in Pasig City; and Cainta Municipal Hall. Affected residents may make calls for free and/or charge cellphones for free. Another Libreng Tawag Center to be set up ASAP in San Mateo, Rizal.
2) SMART Relief Goods Distribution Centers will be set up within the week right by the SMART Libreng Tawag Centers at Ever Gotesco Mall in Pasig City and Cainta Municipal Hall.
3) PLDT Medical Services at Barangay Barangka Hall in Marikina City provides emergency medical assistance. Additional medical assistance to be set up by Makati Medical Center and Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital ASAP beside the other stations SMART Libreng Tawag Centers (Pasig, Cainta, and soon San Mateo).
4) SMART relief distribution will also be done within the week in Marilao, Bulacan and Arayat, Pampanga.

The affected communities need the following:
1. Within the next three to four days (Sept. 28-Oct. 1)
a. ready-to-eat food which do not need to be cooked like boiled eggs, sandwiches, cooked rice, sardines, tuna, meatloaf, bread,
margarine, peanut butter. They also need bottled water, everyday clothes (including underwear) for both adults and children. Please
send mats for the families to sleep on.
b. By October 2, please prepare food packs of canned goods, rice, instant noodles, instant pancit canton, bread
and bottled water.

You can bring all goods to Operation GK "Walang Iwanan" Headquarters at RFM Gym along Pioneer St., Mandaluyong
City (contact person : Raul Dizon 0917-888-8109).

If you are nearer to any of these areas, you can also deliver straight to our command centers:
1. GK Camacho, Marikina (Bodoy 0917-888-8276)
2. GK Tatalon, Quezon City (Bobby 0918-906-9075)
3. GK Brookside, Quezon City (Rabbi 0906-462-7232)
4. GK Sitio Ruby, Quezon City (Benjie 0906-286-4447)
5. GK Sitio Pajo, Quezon City (Mar 0919-208-8784)
6. GK Selecta, Cainta (Dolphy 0928-604-4632)
7. GK Caliuag, Pasig City (Ryan 0922-859-6453)
8. GK Pinagsama, Taguig City (Raul 0919-229-1416)
9. GK PBA, Pateros City (Cesar 0905-235-7929)
Who I Want to Meet:

WHERE TO DONATE:
http://www.gk1world.com/
http://smartrelief.wordpress.com/
http://ateneotaskforceondoy.misa.org.ph/
http://www.myayala.com/ondoy/
http://www.txtpower.org
http://www.adobomagazine.com
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
http://www.spot.ph
http://www.gmanews.tv
http://specials.sunstar.com.ph

Michael Jackson

"I just wanted to say ... ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him — so much," said Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris-Michael, before dissolving into tears and falling into the embrace of her aunt Janet.




LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson was an entertainment phenomenon both triumphant and troubled, a dazzling performer who transcended barriers, transformed the music world and transfixed fans and non-fans alike in every corner of the Earth.

But Tuesday's memorial was not for that Michael Jackson.

Instead, those closest to the legend gave us a glimpse of Michael Jackson the man.

In a poignant and serene service, the portrait they painted was of a human just as remarkable, making his loss doubly painful to bear for those who truly loved him.

"I just wanted to say ... ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him — so much," said Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris-Michael, before dissolving into tears and falling into the embrace of her aunt Janet.

It was a deeply emotional moment, the most profound part of a memorial that accomplished what Jackson could not in life: humanizing a man who for so long had seemed like a caricature.

How could someone who moved like he moved, sang like he sang, and reached musical heights no person has ever touched be as human as the rest of us? How could a man who threw a wedding for Elizabeth Taylor, had a chimpanzee as a companion, and wore masks to cover his surgically altered face be any part normal?

How can a man who admitted he shared his bed with boys — though he maintained it was never sexual, as others suggested — be a decent man, closer to saintly than devilish?

It took those closest to him, from his brother Marlon to his old friend Brooke Shields, to explain Michael Jackson to those who saw him as a talented freak — an image that deeply pained Jackson.

So while Motown founder Berry Gordy talked about the child prodigy he signed at age 10, and pronounced him not just the King of Pop, but "the greatest entertainer who ever lived," he also talked about the little kid who played catcher during family softball games against the Gordys, who cracked jokes and frolicked in the pool. Magic Johnson talked about the perfectionist who made him achieve higher heights as a basketball player, but also told of sitting around and eating KFC at his home. And Shields talked about a friendship in which laughter was central to it all.

"We had a bond, and maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very, very young age," Shields said, fighting back tears. "Both of us needed to be adults very early, but when we were together, we were two little kids having fun. ... M.J.'s laugh was the sweetest and purest of anyone I've known."

For Jackson's family and the organizers of the memorial, it was a successful rehabilitation of the image of a superstar who had been derided for so long. The words "sweet" and "pure" had rarely been used to describe Jackson in the last two decades of his life, marked by allegations of child abuse, an ever-changing face, multiple lawsuits, eccentric behavior and what seemed to be one bad career move after another.

Only true Jackson fans, a number that seemed to be dwindling year after year, seemed to remember the man who dazzled us with "Thriller," made us swoon with delight with infectious grooves like "Rock With You" and "Remember the Time," and conversed with presidents, kings and queens.

Tuesday's memorial reminded us of that Michael Jackson, too. The universally revered and admired former South African President, Nelson Mandela, offered words of condolences and love for Jackson in a statement read by Smokey Robinson.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, talked about how Jackson held court with African leaders in his bid to help slow the spread of AIDS there.

And Maya Angelou, who was also represented by her words instead of her presence, offered a loving tribute for the entertainer in remarks read by Queen Latifah.

"He took a pose on his toes for all of us," Angelou wrote, remarking on his worldwide influence from "Birmingham, Ala., to Birmingham, England."

For an entertainer known for his amazing music, song took a backseat to sentiment at the service. But when it was used, it was to great effect. His very biggest hits were not part of the program.

Instead, what we heard were the songs that reinforced Jackson outside of entertainment. Longtime friend Stevie Wonder — who summarized the thoughts of many when he said, "This is a moment I wished I didn't live to see" — sang his own "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer," originally intended as a bitter breakup song but repurposed as a sad goodbye.

Lionel Richie, Jackson's collaborator on the anthem "We Are the World," sang a gospel classic, "Jesus is Love." Another gospel hymn heralded the arrival of Jackson's casket when a choir sang the lines, "Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're going to see the King."

Two of Jackson's songs underscored his humanitarian side — the closing numbers, "We Are the World" and the anthem for his charity, "Heal the World."

Usher's heartbreaking rendition of "Gone Too Soon," which Jackson wrote as a memorial for Ryan White, one of the early public faces of AIDS, captured the pain not only of his fans and friends, but of his family, as the Jackson brothers came together and gripped a sobbing Usher in their arms afterward.

And Jermaine Jackson's version of "Smile," which Michael Jackson had often used as a metaphor for his own tragic life, was a fitting epitaph for his brother.

But perhaps no one lifted up the image of Jackson more than the Rev. Al Sharpton, in rousing, church-like sermon that took Michael Jackson back from the tabloid headlines. Sharpton looked at Jackson's children and declared: "Your daddy wasn't strange — what he had to deal with was strange."

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_michael_jackson