'Bagyong Basyang' PAGASA weather update February 11-12, 2018

MANILA, Philippines - The tropical storm outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has entered and was named "Basyang," state weather bureau PAGASA announced in its 11:00 p.m. update on Sunday, February 11, 2018.

Satellite image of Tropical Storm 'Basyan' | Courtesy of DOST-PAGASA

"Bagyong Basyang" is expected to make landfall in Caraga Region on Tuesday morning, February 13, the weather central added.

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#WalangPasok: Class suspensions on Monday, February 12, 2018

At 10:00 p.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm "Basyang" was estimated based on all available data at 870 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (07.1°N, 134.1°E).

"Basyang" has maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 27 kph.

Forecast Positions

• 24 Hour(Tomorrow evening): 265 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur(8.8°N, 128.7°E)
• 48 Hour(Tuesday evening):35 km Southeast of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental(9.1°N, 123.5°E)
• 72 Hour(Wednesday evening): 125 km East Southeast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan(9.4°N, 119.8°E)
• 96 Hour(Thursday evening):200 km East of Pagasa Island, Palawan(11.0°N, 115.9°E)
• 120 Hour(Friday evening):125 km Northwest of Pagasa Island, Palawan (OUTSIDE PAR) (11.7°N, 113.2°E)

Tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) No. 1 (30-60 kph Expected in 36 hours) was raised in 11 areas: Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.

Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over the eastern section of Visayas and of Mindanao beginning tomorrow.

Residents of these areas must continue monitoring for updates, undertake precautionary measures against possible flooding and landslides, and coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management offices.

— The Summit Express

Grab driver seeks justice after getting beat up for returning lost iPhone

MANILA, Philippines - A Grab driver is asking for justice after he was beaten up by his passenger for returning the phone he left inside the car.

Instead of a “thank you,” the driver got beaten up after returning the phone the passenger had left behind.

The Facebook post by Kiel Nigel Yabut on Sunday has gone viral after netizens strongly reacted to the story of the driver named Armando Yabut.

Yabut posted photos of himself after he was beaten up by his passenger identified to be Jinno John Simon. According to Yabut, he was already in his house in Taytay, Rizal when he realized that Simon had left his phone inside his car. He immediately called Grab and reported the incident. Yabut was even able to talk with Simon on the phone and assured him that he will return his phone.

The 30-year-old driver traveled to Kamuning, Quezon City and met up with his passenger. But instead of receiving a “thank you,” Yabut received countless of punches in his face. Simon even asked some of his neighbors to help beat him up. Yabut said, “Noong binubugbog po niya ko, hinila niya po ko doon sa tatlong tao na nandoon, mga nagbabasura po at pinagsisigawan po niya sa mga nandon na magnanakaw daw po ako na pagtulungan ako pero 'di po tumulong sila.”

Police officers came and invited them to the police station but Simon refused. The two instead agreed to settle in the Barangay.

In front of the Barangay officials, Yabut was surprised that Simon claimed that the driver tried to steal the phone. Simon defended his actions by saying that he tried to call Yabut a few times but the driver didn’t answer.

Yabut was so appalled that the Barangay officials even urged him to admit to something that he didn’t do. He said, “Pagdating sa barangay, pilit po nila akong ano... pinapaamin. Ang gusto mangyari po ng passenger humingi lang daw po ako ng pasensya at makakauwi na ko at mangako lang daw ako na 'di ko daw siya babalikan kinaumagahan dahil sa ginawa niyang pambubugbog.”

There have been no official statement from Simon as of to date. The viral post has already been shared almost 48,000 times already.

Drivers seek protection

Several incidents have already been reported about Grab drivers being abused or become victims of violence by their passengers. Last September, a Grab driver named Edgar Luciapao was beaten up by three of his passengers and stole his Mitsubishi Montero. Luciapao was lucky enough to have escaped.

One incident that made a huge mark last year the killing of a ‘model’ Grab driver named Gerardo Maquidato Jr. Maquidato was shot in the head by carnappers who posed as passengers. The suspect surrendered to the authorities and claimed he had no intention of killing the driver but “nanlaban po kasi siya.”

Grab and Uber push for passenger and rider security

Following the killing of Maquidato, Transport network companies (TNCs) Grab and Uber had a meeting with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to discuss security measures that would protect not just passengers but also their drivers.

One of the suggestions by Grab Philippines country head Brian Cu, was the creation of a common database of “blacklisted passengers.”

Due to this, several drivers have already started asking for valid IDs from their passengers.

Cu stated asked for a mandate that “TNCs to require passengers to update their profile on the respective ride-hailing apps by using Facebook login.”

For their part, the LTFRB formed a special technical working group to focus on several directions that would help protect TNC drivers.

— The Summit Express

#WalangPasok: Class suspensions on Monday, February 12, 2018

MANILA, Philippines - Local government units (LGUs) have declared suspension of classes for Monday, February 12, 2018, due to inclement weather brought by Tropical Storm "Basyang" (international name "Sanba").

In a bulletin issued by state weather bureau PAGASA on Sunday night, it says that "Bagyong Basyang" brings scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains over the eastern section of Visayas and of Mindanao beginning tomorrow.

Tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised over the areas of Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

(As of 10:30 p.m.) Here's the updated list of class suspensions for Monday, February 12, 2018 due to Tropical Storm Basyang #BasyangPH (refresh page for the updates):

Surigao del Norte – preschool to elementary, public and private

Based on automatic class suspension guideline by DepEd, LGUs have the authority to declare local suspensions in areas where there is no storm signal.

WEATHER UPDATE

At 4:00 PM today, the center of Tropical Storm was estimated based on all available data at 1,035 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (06.9 °N, 135.6 °E).

"Basyang" has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 27 kph.

Forecast Positions:

• 24 Hour(Tomorrow afternoon): 430 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur(8.2°N, 130.2°E)
• 48 Hour(Tuesday afternoon):50 km West of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte(8.9°N, 125.1°E)
• 72 Hour(Wednesday afternoon): 265 km East Southeast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan(9.0°N, 121.0°E)
• 96 Hour(Thursday afternoon):195 km West Northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan(10.1°N, 117.0°E)
• 120 Hour(Friday afternoon):80 km East Northeast of Pagasa Island, Palawan(11.2°N, 114.8°E)

Stay safe and dry, everyone!

Note: This is a developing story. Keep locked for the updates. Help us crowdsource class suspension announcements by tweeting @mysummitexpress.

— The Summit Express

“I’ll treasure this forever” Sharon Cuneta thrilled over video greeting from President Duterte

MANILA, Philippines - Sharon Cuneta couldn’t help but gush over a video greeting from no less than President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Megastar took to Instagram to show her elation over the greeting from the President whom she fondly calls, “Tatay Digong.” The President thanked Sharon for remembering him and recalled that his daughter, Mayor Sara is a proud “Sharonian.” He went on to call Sharon as his “friend.”

Sharon calls the President her “Tatay Digong” | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Sharon Cuneta

The President’s message read, “Ma’am Sharon, thank you for remembering me. I am your good friend and my daughter Sara ay talagang ina-idolize ka hanggang ngayon and I’m happy that she has chosen the right person to be her inspiration. She has been an avid admirer. Supporter and ako rin, for the many things that you have done for me and my family. I am grateful. Maraming salamat and may you live for a thousand years.”

The 52-year-old star appreciated the warm gesture and boasted about the “precious gift.” On her Instagram account, she posted a lengthy message of appreciation. She also pointed out “All politics aside and with all due respect to my husband who so understands my “wala akong pakialam sa politika” stand, I got this precious gift of a message (taken a few evenings ago) from President Rodrigo Duterte himself.”

The singer-actress added that she and Inday Sara have been friends since 2012 and that “we never cared about each other’s politics.”

Sharon admitted that she will “treasure forever” the video message and she is thrilled, “Ang yabang ko po ngayon dahil dito!”

The Voice Philippines coach promised that someday he will sing the President his favorite song, “Ikaw.”

Lastly, the Megastar couldn’t help but call out her husband, Senator Kiko Pangilinan who is a staunch critic of the administration, a message of gratitude. She said, “Thank you Kiko for your understanding and respect for me as your very apolitical/unpolitical wife.”

Inday Sara and the Megastar’s friendship

Despite Sen. Kiko Pangilinan being a critic of the Duterte administration, the President had been vocal that he always tries to blasting the senator because of Sharon. The President fondly recalls one of Sara’s childhood memory, “Pangilinan is my friend at may utang na loob ako sa kanya. Si Inday (Sara), when she was Grade 6, Grade 5, sabi ko: ‘Anak, anong gusto mong birthday gift?’ Sabi niya ‘gusto ko magkasama kami ni Sharon Cuneta.”

He then asked Pangilinan and a meeting was arranged.

Last year, Inday Sara blasted Pangilinan for joining the “Tindig Pilipinas,” a group of Liberal Party politicians criticizing the Duterte administration. The Davao City Mayor called Pangilinan and two other senators as “opportunists.” But the fierce Presidential daughter mellowed down when asked about Sen. Kiko’s wife.

She said, “I have high respect for Ate Sharon, she has been very kind to me since I was a child.”

Sara also pointed out the Sharon does not meddle into politics,“She has always been apolitical despite growing up with a politician father.”

The Megastar for her part has nothing but good words for her friend, “We never let politics get in the way of our friendship.” Mayor Sara would always remind her “to avoid stress and not get affected by politics.”

Wow. Thank you very much, Mr. President, Sir, my “Tatay Digong”!!! All politics aside and with all due respect to my husband who so understands my “wala akong pakialam sa politika” stand, I got this precious gift of a message (taken a few evenings ago) from President Rodrigo Duterte himself!!! You may not know this but Davao City Mayor Sarah and I have been friends since 2012. We never cared about each other’s politics, though I adore her as much as she, a “Sharonian” as the President himself once said, must adore me too. I am blessed that she and I are sincere and thoughtful enough to separate politics from what after all is more lasting - our friendship. Now I have this message to treasure forever! ALL POLITICS ASIDE, Excuse me po, pero si Pangulong Duterte po ito! So sorry am not sorry but in fact, am thrilled! Maraming salamat po, Mr. President. Ang yabang ko po ngayon dahil dito! And one day, I shall sing your favorite “IKAW” for you! God bless you po. May our Father in heaven guide you and lead you only to what will make our country great. (Thank you Kiko for your understanding and respect for me as your very apolitical/unpolitical wife.) Posting with permission. ( Kuya Chet, I know you’re happy but inggit ka no?!!! Hahaha!)

A post shared by Coach:TheVoice.phActorSinger (@reallysharoncuneta) on Feb 10, 2018 at 2:26am PST

— Sally, The Summit Express