Mount Mayon Volcano about to Explode – Dad’s Hometown

  Mayon Volcano is situated in the province of Albay in Bicol Region, Philippines. It is considered as the World’s most perfect form of Volcano cone. 

Quick history of my dad, he was born and raised in Daraga, Albay in Bicol region where Mt. Mayon Volcano is. He arrived Malaysia at the age of 18. After he finishes his high school in 1959, before the East & West region combined in 1963 to become Malaysia.  

My 1st visit to my dad’s hometown was during Christmas in 2009. Both of us head back to his hometown is for his 50th Reunion for Class 1959. It’s amazing how they can still keep in touch after 50 years apart.   

Dad’s 50th Reunion for Class 1959.     

When I arrived Bicol Airport, I immediately took photo of the Mt. Mayon Volcano. I am just proud to be at a place where there is still an active volcano that could explode anytime. This was because, at that very moment news were spreading that it would erupt anytime due to increased number and size of seismic activities on Mount Mayon’s Volcano. So I thought I should take photo of it as soon as possible before it get exploded. 

Then I was brought to Lignon Hills in Legazpi for a better view of Mount Mayon Volcano. Here you can see bunch of camera’s behind me from all sorts of local news agency including CNN Philippine just waiting for the explosion.   

Took the oppurtunity for a Zipline adventure passing through Mt. Mayon Volcano scenery. Look at that symmetry cone shape!

From Alert Level 4 in December 2009, it reduce to Alert Level 3 on January 02, 2010. And unfortunately, there was no explosion during my visit back in 2009. Otherwise it will be a lifetime experience not many could have. And then on January 13, 2010, the Alert Level reduces again from 3 to 2 due to a further reduction in the likelihood of hazardous eruption.   

Fast forward to recent news Jan 2018, the most active volcano in Philippine had started spewing lava and ashes! It was reported more than 25,000 people had been evacuated since the threats Alert rises to Level 3.        

My Aunt Lene who is still residing at Bicol region forwarded a photo of the street when she was on her way to Camalig Albay. In her message she said they are still blessed because the flow of the air and ashes is going to the north part of Albay. Yes agree with that, but NOT from my perspective! The streets is fully covered with ashes, none close to any haze that we faced past years. I can’t imagine how it is like to be at the North of Albay. Hope and pray there is nobody nearby the area since all had been evacuated up to 5 miles (8 KM) away from the crater.  

And in latest news 22 Jan 2018, Mount Mayon Volcano will erupt within this few days. As the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) raised its alert to level 4, signifying a hazardous eruption. Although experts cannot predict exactly the eruption will take place and cannot give certain dates, it is likely the volcano will blow within this week. 

Full details for the above updated news : 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/908078/Mayon-volcano-eruption-dates-update-when-will-Mt-Mayon-Philippines-erupt-alert-level-4  

Let’s all together pray for Albay, Bicol citizens so that when Mt. Mayon Volcano does erupts, it will be in within the danger zone only and no casualty will be reported.