Super Typhoon Yolanda, the Philippines and the Mapping Advocates

MTSAT Image of Haiyan pre-landfall

Super Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda is the strongest typhoon recorded in modern history. Packing up winds of 320km/h with maximum wind gusts of up to 380km/h and having a forward velocity of 29km/h. That is the maximum state of the typhoon before it had its first ever landfall at Guiuan, Samar at exactly 5:00 AM local time (21:00 UTC) at dawn of November 8, 2013, Friday. From then, it has directed a straight swath of havoc from Eastern to Central and Western Visayas of the Philippines. The tragedy then has called for a collective effort of people with various expertise to assist on the post-disaster missions. This includes the need for an accurate map so as to distinguish areas of concern so that rescuers, and field workers may be able to do their job in clearing and rescue operations over the distraught islands that were a direct hit of the record-breaking typhoon.

Touring Panay Island

Touring Panay Island from Iloilo to Antique and Boracay December 26-31, 2009

Beach bum at Boracay

It is early Saturday morning just right after Christmas, and I had an extended vacation. In fact, I only booked a one-way ticket to be able to tour a stretch of Panay Island at western Visayas. It is only about an hour from Manila to Cabatuan Airport of Panay and I am excited to tour 3 provinces of this island for the first time. Starting from Iloilo, to the whole stretch of Antique and then the beaches of Boracay Island at Aklan.