Friday, 11 December 2015

PAGASA: Bagyong Nona enters PAR, threatens Bicol, Samar

MANILA, Philippines - State weather bureau PAGASA announced today, December 12, 2015 that tropical storm 'Nona' (international name: Melor) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Saturday.
Bagyong Nona enters PAR, threatens Bicol, Samar


At 4:00 am, the center of Tropical Storm (Bagyong) 'Nona' was estimated based on all available data at 1,110 km East of Maasin, Southern Leyte (10.2°N, 135.0°E).

TS Nona has maximum sustained winds of 65kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 25kph.

Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 100 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.

PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said that 'Nona' may make landfall over Samar or Bicol region on Monday and Tuesday.

“There’s a possibility of it becoming a typhoon. But we don’t see it becoming a supertyphoon,” he said.

Forecast Positions:

  • 24 hour (Tomorrow morning): 580 km East of Catbalogan City, Samar.
  • 48 hour (Monday morning): 370 km East of Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.
  • 72 hour (Tuesday morning): Vicinity of Virac Catanduanes.
  • 96 hour (Wednesday morning): 250 km West of Virac Catanduanes.
  • 120 hour (Thusday morning):150 km West of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro


Nona, originally named as 'Nonoy' is the 14th typhoon to hit the country this 2015. It was formed out of a low pressure area that formed over the Marianas Islands early last week. On average, there are around 19 to 21 typhoons in the country every year.

Meanwhile, here's the weekly outlook as announced by the weather bureau:

By Sunday (December 13) , Eastern Visayas will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Cloudy skies with light rains will prevail over Northern Luzon while the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

By Monday (December 14) , Bicol region, Eastern and Central Visayas will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. The regions of Ilocos and Cordillera will be cloudy with light rains. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

By Tuesday (December 15) , stormy weather will be experienced over Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, CALABARZON and the provinces of Marinduque, Romblon and Metro Manila. Central Luzon, Central and Western Visayas and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

By Wednesday (December 16) , Metro Manila, MIMAROPA and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan will have stormy weather. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over the rest of Luzon. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

By Thursday and Friday (December 17-18), Metro Manila, Bicol region, CALABARZON, Central Luzon and MIMAROPA will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Visayas and Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Alleged Montero sudden unintended acceleration incident reported in Iloilo

ILOILO City, Philippines- A family driver in Iloilo City has reported another case of sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) in Mitsubishi Montero Sport on Monday, December 7 inside a house in Monte Rosa Subdivision in Mandurriao, Iloilo.

Alleged Montero sudden unintended acceleration incident in Iloilo
Photo Credit: Elurose Naorbe via CNN Philippines
According to Gregorio Deloeste, he experienced SUA while he was about to park the 2012 automatic transmission Montero Sport in the garage of the family home. Although Deloeste shifted the gear stick to neutral and applied the handbreak, the vehicle still mysteriously accelerated plowing through the living and dining area of the house.

“Bigla na lang nag-rebolusyon nang malakas, 'di na siya makontrol. Inapakan ko ang preno,” Deloeste told GMA News.

(It suddenly drove off at high speed, which I couldn’t control. I stepped on the breaks.)

The SUA incident caused damage to the house destroying several appliances and furniture. Part of the house’s ceiling also collapsed. Luckily, no one was harmed by the incident.

Prior to the incident, Deloeste claimed that the vehicle was subjected to a computer test and proved to be in good condition.

Following the SUA case, Allan Palacios, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport car dealer in Iloilo City, immediately inspected the crash site.

After conducting an investigation on Thursday, December 10, Mitsubushi Motors Corporate Communications Senior Manager Arlan Antonio Reyes said that they have not found anything wrong with the vehicle.

“Kung tama ang pagmamaneho ninyo hindi kayo ma aaksidente,” Reyes added.

(If you drive right, you will not get into a car accident.)

Despite several reported incidents of SUA, an official statement from Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) claims that Montero Sport is neither defective nor unsafe to use. Stating that MMPC has conducted extensive investigation and testing of units with SUA complaints, the company says that no defect of malfunction had been observed linked to SUA.

“MMC and MMPC have concluded that the performance and behavior of the Montero Sport is completely dependent on driver action and reaction, and that the vehicle will only move upon driver intervention.”

Montero Sport owners with similar concerns may visit any Mitsubishi service center for free check up or contact Mitsubishi Customer Care Center at (+632) 250-8888 from Monday to Friday.-Mini/TheSummitExpress