Tropical Depression Emong

Somewhere in the business jungle called Makati, I sit in my humble green chair reviewing case decisions drafted by the best legal minds of this government agency. I sit here like a royalty. Here in my little corner, I am the ruler. Outside, however, Emong reigns supreme. Damn, the trees outside sway like paper figures. Rains kept on pounding. I want to go home.

But how bad is Emong, really?

According to gmanews.tv, Emong is fierce (move over, Sasha Fierce!). Storm Signal No. 3 is now raised over Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Sur as of 12:03PM today.

Here's the entire report:

MANILA, Philippines - State weather forecasters have placed three areas in Northern Luzon under Storm Signal No. 3 as typhoon "Emong" intensified further Thursday morning.In its 10:30 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that "Emong" now packed maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gustiness of up to 170 kph."Emong" was estimated at 200 km west-northwest of Iba, Zambales, or 240 km west-southwest of Dagupan City, and moving at 15 kph.Under Signal No. 3 were Western Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Sur.Placed under Storm Signal No. 2 were Zambales, Tarlac, the rest of Pangasinan, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra and Ilocos Norte.Metro Manila is now placed under Storm Signal No. 1 along with Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Lubang island, Calamian Group of Islands, Cavite, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Northern Quezon, Aurora , Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino, Isabela, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands and Batanes.The typhoon is expected to make landfall on Friday but Pagasa warned residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes against possible flashfloods and landslide. Those living in coastal areas under Storm Signals 2 and 3 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this typhoon, Pagasa said. – with Katrina Elaine Alba, GMANews.TV

For more info, visit http://www.typhoon2000.ph/ (The Philippines First Website on Tropical Cyclones).