'Bagyong Amang' PAGASA weather update (January 15, 2015)

MANILA, Philippines - State weather bureau PAGASA on its 11am update today, January 15, 2015 said that 'Bagyong Amang' (international name: Mekkala) has maintained its strength as it continues to move over the Philippine Sea.

'Bagyong Amang' has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday morning which coincides with the arrival of Pope Francis in the country.

At 10:00 AM today, the center of tropical storm was estimated based on all available data at 905 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar(11.5 °N, 134.0 °E).

The maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 19
kph.

Forecast Positions:
24 hour (Friday morning, January 16): 615 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar
48 hour (Saturday morning, January 17): 230 km East of Virac, Catanduanes
72 hour (Sunday morning, January 18): 180 km East of Casiguran, Aurora

Reports said that if the weather turns bad and keeps the plane of Pope Francis from landing at the Tacloban City airport on Saturday (Jan. 17), the flight may be diverted to the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City.

PAGASA said the possible raising of public storm warning signals over Northern Samar, Catanduanes and Camarines Norte tonight.

The estimated rainfall amount is from 7.5 – 20 mm per hour (heavy - intense) within the 300 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.

Residents over flood and landslide prone areas in Samar & Leyte provinces experiencing rains for the past few days are advised to be alert for possible occurrence of flashfloods and landslides.

Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon and the Eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon and of Visayas.

The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions.

ABS-CBN, GMA News bring multi-platform coverage for Pope Francis visit in PH

MANILA, Philippines - Leading broadcast networks in the country ABS-CBN and GMA bring special news coverage via multiplatform channels for the historic papal visit from January 15-19, 2015.

ABS-CBN News: Pope Francis sa Pilipinas "Thank You Sa Malasakit"

Through up-to-date reports and special features, ABS-CBN will deliver all the latest developments on its news platforms on free and cable TV, radio, and online: ABS-CBN Channel 2, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), DZMM TeleRadyo, DZMM Radyo Patrol Sais Trenta, and their websites and social media accounts.

ABS-CBN, ANC, and DZMM will broadcast live all the Masses to be celebrated by Pope Francis at the Manila Cathedral (January 16), in Tacloban (January 17), and in Luneta (January 18). Aside from that, ABS-CBN will offer free public viewing of the Luneta Mass at Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, Trinoma, Fairview Terraces, Market Market, and Harbor Point in Metro Manila and in more than 50 locations nationwide.

No stone will be left unturned when ANC brings its wall-to-wall coverage of the historic visit with nonstop live updates from all the events beginning the morning of January 15, while DZMM will cover the papal visit starting at noon on January 15.

Boosting ABS-CBN’s news coverage are the Pope Patrollers of citizen journalism arm “Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo” who will be closely monitoring all the on-ground papal events in Manila and Tacloban. The Pope Patrollers will document the events as they unfold in photos and videos, which will capture the mood and emotions of the people during the five-day papal visit.

All of the Pope Patrollers’ works will be highlighted in special sections on ABS-CBNNews.com/PopeFrancisPH, which also houses all TV reports and interactive multimedia features about Pope Francis.

Filipinos on the go may also check all the latest papal visit-related developments on their mobile devices by watching ABS-CBN’s consolidated videos and features in the PopeTYSM (Pope Thank You Sa Malasakit) channel on iWanTV.com.ph or the iWanTV app using an ABS-CBNmobile SIM.

Filipinos abroad can also keep track of the latest developments of the papal visit via The Filipino Channel (TFC), which will air its special live coverage of the event from January 17 to 19 and a documentary titled “Pope Francis: In the Eyes of Four Filipinos,” which features four different members of the clergy who share a very special, albeit experience — a rare interaction with the Holy See.

With Vatican Media correspondent Lynda Jumilla who is joining the papal flight, ABS-CBN’s “Thank You sa Malasakit: Pope Francis sa Pilipinas” coverage will be led by veteran broadcast journalists Noli De Castro, Korina Sanchez, Ted Failon, Tina Monzon-Palma, Karen Davila, Ces Drilon, Julius Babao, Alvin Elchico, Bernadette Sembrano, Henry Omaga Diaz, Vic Lima, Bro. Jun Banaag, Winnie Cordero, Ariel Ureta, Pinky Webb, TJ Manotoc, Ron Cruz, Coco Alcuaz, Gigi Grande, Karmina Constantino, and David Celdran.

GMA News: "Ang People's Pope sa Pilipinas" Special Coverage


Aside from radio and TV broadcast, GMA News also partnered with various malls and establishments nationwide to present the special coverage of Pope Francis' visit.

The following malls have agreed to show GMA News' live special coverage via big screens:

MEGA MANILA

• SM North Edsa
• SM Manila
• SM San Lazaro
• SM Sta. Mesa
• SM Marikina
• SM Masinag
• SM Taytay
• SM Novaliches
• SM Fairview
• SM BF Paranque

LUZON

• City Walk Mall, Tarlac
• SM Clark
• SM San Fernando, Downtown
• SM Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecijia
• LCC Mall Legazpi
• LCC Mall Naga
• LCC Mall Polangui

VISAYAS-MINDANAO

• The District Ayala Mall, Bacolod
• Public Plaza, Bacolod
• Marymart Mall, Iloilo
• GT Mall, Iloilo
• Gaisano Mall, Davao City
• Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City
• Limketkai Mall, CdeO
• Gaisano Mall, CdeO
• Centrio Mall, CdeO
• Provincial Capitol, Misamis Oriental

These bus companies will also join in showing the live coverage of the papal visit on their fleets:

• G Liner
• Fariñas Bus Transit
• Five Star Bus company (including bus stations)

Mercury Drug in Quiapo also agreed to show GMA News' special coverage through their big screen.

The special coverage can be followed from:

January 15, Thursday: Arrival Of Pope And Open Air Motorcade
GMA 7: 5:15pm – 8:00pm

January 16, Friday: Manila Cathedral Mass
GNTV Channel 11: 11:15am – 1:30pm, 5:00pm – 8:30pm

January 17, Saturday: Going to Tacloban City
GNTV Channel 11: 9:30am-7:00pm

January 18, Sunday: Pope Travels from Nunciature to UST, UST Motorcade, Meets w/ Young People
GMA 7: 9:45am –12:00pm, 2:00pm – 6:00pm

IN PHOTOS: Boardwalk launches 2015 collections, new endorsers

MANILA, Philippines - Lifestyle brand Boardwalk formally launched its fresh collections for 2015 and officially introduced the new line up of endorsers in an event held on Tuesday at the Luxent Hotel in Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

BOARDWALK FRESH START. Official launch of new faces this 2015.

One of the country's sexiest Sam Pinto, Kapuso leading man Alden Richards and GMA-7's Starstruck Season 2 Ultimate Survivor Mike Tan are among the new faces of Boardwalk that will join prominent endorsers Derek Ramsay, Matteo Guidicelli and Kris Aquino.

YOUNG AND LIVING IT. Kapuso stars Mike Tan (second from left) and Alden Richards (3rd from left) join Boardwalk newest roster of endorsers

CONFIDENT WOMEN. Rich Asuncion (second from left) and Janine Gutierrez (third from left) are the new faces of Boardwalk's Missy and Cosmopolitan Collection

Boardwalk fresh faces for 2015 also includes young but rising stars Janine Gutierrez, Rich Asuncion, Jeric Gonzales and Thea Tolentino.

"For 2015 and beyond, new battle cry is Fashion for Social Change. The business is to keep Filipinos fashionable while sharpening their entrepreneurial skills through teaching them how to make a living out of their fashion signature styles," Boardwalk said in a statement.

Boardwalk as the newest member of the Superbrands Ltd community brings new designs of men’s and women’s apparel.

Check out some photos as Boardwalk unveils its 2015 collections with young stars headline the celebration (Hover photo for the navigation).