Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: MAN-YI) is currently moving over the sea east of the Bicol Region, threatening the eastern sections of Southern Luzon with life-threatening winds, torrential rains, and severe coastal hazards.
As of 4:00 AM today, the eye of Pepito was located 85 km northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte, carrying maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near its center and gusts of up to 255 km/h, with a central pressure of 925 hPa.
Current Movement and Track
Pepito is moving west-northwestward at a speed of 15 km/h. The typhoon-force winds extend up to 300 km from the center, putting a broad area of Southern and Central Luzon under significant threat as it progresses westward.
Forecast models indicate Pepito will pass near or over Calaguas Islands this morning, cross Polillo Islands by late morning, and make landfall over northern Quezon or central Aurora between noon and afternoon.
The storm is expected to cross the upland areas of Sierra Madre, Caraballo, and Cordillera Central, emerging over Pangasinan or La Union coastal waters by tonight or early tomorrow.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals
Signal No. 5:
- Wind Threat: Typhoon-force winds (185 km/h or higher)
- Areas Affected: Extreme threat to life and property
- Luzon: Eastern portion of Polillo Islands (Patnanungan, Jomalig), Calaguas Islands
Signal No. 4:
- Wind Threat: Typhoon-force winds (118 to 184 km/h)
- Areas Affected: Significant to severe threat to life and property
- Luzon:
- Northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Goa, San Jose, Tinambac, Siruma, Lagonoy, Presentacion, Caramoan, Garchitorena)
- Entire Camarines Norte
- Northern and western portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Caramoran, San Andres)
- Northern portion of mainland Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta)
- Remaining portions of Polillo Islands
- Central and southern parts of Aurora (Dingalan, San Luis, Maria Aurora, Baler, Dipaculao, Dinalungan)
- Eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (General Tinio, Gabaldon, Laur, Bongabon, Palayan City, Pantabangan, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad)
- Southeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda)
- Southern part of Quirino (Nagtipunan)
Signal No. 3:
- Wind Threat: Storm-force winds (89 to 117 km/h)
- Areas Affected: Moderate to significant threat to life and property
- Luzon:
- Remaining portions of Camarines Sur and Catanduanes
- Northeastern part of Albay (Santo Domingo, Polangui, Bacacay, Malilipot, City of Tabaco, Malinao, Rapu-Rapu, Tiwi)
- Eastern portion of Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Buenavista, Lopez, Quezon, Perez, Alabat, Gumaca, Plaridel, Atimonan, Mauban, Sampaloc, Real)
- Eastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Famy, Mabitac, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Cavinti)
- Eastern and central portions of Rizal (Pililla, Tanay, City of Antipolo, Rodriguez, Baras, San Mateo, Morong, Teresa)
- Remaining parts of Aurora
- Eastern and central parts of Bulacan (Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Angat, City of San Jose del Monte, Santa Maria, Pandi, Baliuag, Bustos, Pulilan, Plaridel)
- Northeastern part of Pampanga (Candaba, Arayat, Magalang, San Luis, San Simon, Mexico, Santa Ana, Apalit, Santo Tomas, City of San Fernando, Mabalacat City, Angeles City)
- Remaining areas of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac
- Northern part of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig)
- Rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino
- Southern part of Isabela (San Agustin, Jones, Echague, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Alicia, San Mateo, Ramon, San Isidro, City of Santiago, Cordon)
- Central and southern parts of Ilocos Sur (Alilem, Sugpon, Cervantes, Suyo, Tagudin, Narvacan, Quirino, Sigay, Gregorio del Pilar, San Emilio, Santa Cruz, Salcedo, Banayoyo, City of Candon, Galimuyod, Santa Lucia, Lidlidda, Santa Maria, Burgos, Santiago, San Esteban, Nagbukel)
- Entire La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Ifugao
- Western part of Mountain Province (Sabangan, Bauko, Tadian, Bontoc, Sagada, Besao, Sadanga, Barlig)
- Southern part of Abra (Tubo, Luba, Pilar, Villaviciosa, San Isidro)
Signal No. 2:
- Wind Threat: Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h)
- Areas Affected: Minor to moderate threat to life and property
- Luzon:
- Entire Sorsogon, rest of Albay
- Ticao Island, Burias Island
- Northern part of Marinduque (Santa Cruz, Boac, Mogpog, Torrijos)
- Remaining areas of Quezon, Laguna, Rizal
- Entire Cavite, northern part of Batangas (City of Tanauan, Santo Tomas, Talisay, Lipa City, Malvar, Balete, Mataasnakahoy, Laurel, Padre Garcia, San Juan, Rosario)
- Entire Metro Manila, Bataan, remaining parts of Pampanga, Bulacan, Zambales
- Southwestern part of Cagayan (Enrile, Tuao, Solana, Tuguegarao City, Piat, Rizal)
- Remaining areas of Isabela, Abra, southern part of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao), entire Kalinga, remaining areas of Mountain Province, southern part of Ilocos Norte (Pinili, City of Batac, Banna, Nueva Era, Badoc, Currimao, Marcos, Solsona, Dingras, Sarrat, Paoay, Laoag City, San Nicolas)
Signal No. 1:
- Wind Threat: Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h)
- Areas Affected: Minimal to minor threat to life and property
- Luzon:
- Rest of Masbate, entire Marinduque
- Northern part of Romblon (Cajidiocan, San Fernando, Magdiwang, Romblon, Banton, Corcuera, Santa Maria, Concepcion, Odiongan, San Andres, Calatrava, San Agustin)
- Northern and central portions of Oriental Mindoro (Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Naujan, Baco, Victoria, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Bansud, Gloria, Pola, City of Calapan, Bongabong)
- Northern and central portions of Occidental Mindoro (Sablayan, Santa Cruz, Mamburao, Abra de Ilog, Paluan) including Lubang Islands
- Remaining parts of Batangas
- Rest of mainland Cagayan, entire Apayao, rest of Ilocos Norte
- Visayas:
- Northern Samar, northern part of Samar (San Jorge, Matuguinao, Almagro, Calbayog, Pagsanghan, Gandara, Santo Niño, Tagapul-An, San Jose de Buan, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan)
- Northern portion of Eastern Samar (Maslog, San Policarpo, Dolores, Jipapad, Oras, Arteche)
Rainfall and Severe Wind Hazards
Heavy to intense rainfall is forecast across Bicol Region, Quezon, and parts of Aurora, increasing risks of flooding and landslides. As Pepito approaches the Sierra Madre mountains, significant rainfall is expected to spread to Central and Northern Luzon. Extreme typhoon-force winds can cause extensive damage in areas under Signal No. 5, while gale-force winds pose significant threats elsewhere.
Coastal Waters and Sea Conditions
The following sea conditions are expected:
- Up to 14 m waves: Northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands, and Aurora coastlines.
- Up to 12 m waves: Seaboards of Camarines Norte.
- Up to 10 m waves: Northern seaboard of Camarines Sur and Catanduanes. Mariners should take extreme caution, as sea travel is perilous for all types of vessels. Local authorities advise all seacrafts to remain in port.
Storm Surge Warning
Coastal regions from Ilocos to Metro Manila face the risk of life-threatening storm surges, with waves potentially exceeding 3 meters. Residents in low-lying and coastal areas should prepare for possible evacuations and heed local advisories.
Outlook and Precautions
Pepito is expected to slightly weaken as it traverses mainland Luzon but will retain typhoon status. Communities in the forecast path should prepare for preemptive evacuation and take precautions against severe winds and flooding. Stay tuned to PAGASA for timely updates and take all necessary actions to ensure safety.
