Funnel cloud leaves Bicolanos in awe, others in fear


A teacher in Pili, Camarines Sur was able to capture a funnel cloud that is most likely associated with typhoon “Bising” (international name “Surigae”) as the province and most parts of Bicol are now under tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1.

HOVERING CLOUDS. Teacher Nerissa Decepida of the San Jose Pili National High School in Pili, Camarines Sur captured a funnel cloud that instantly became viral once it was posted on Facebook Sunday, April 18. (Nerissa Decepida, Philippine Weather System)

Nerissa Decepida, a teacher at San Jose Pili National High School, posted photos of the phenomena which immediately went viral and most of the comments were about prayers for the safety of residents living in and around the region.

“Parang tornado, ingat kayo taga Bicol region. Ingat tayong lahat. God bless us all,” said Facebook user Josephine Aldamar when she saw the photos posted on PH Weather System’s Facebook page.

That type of cloud is a funnel-shaped cloud of condensed water droplets, associated with a rotating column of wind and extending from the base of a cloud.

Meanwhile, close to 1,000 sea travelers bound for Visayas and Mindanao were still marooned Sunday in various ports in Bicol, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

Gremil Alexis Naz, OCD spokesperson, said aside from 995 stranded passengers, drivers, and helpers, there were 192 trucks, 116 cars, 11 buses, seven vessels, and 20 small boats still grounded at the ports of Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Masbate, Catanduanes.

The Philippine Coast Guard canceled sea travels in various ports Friday as a preemptive measure due to the imminent danger posed by Bising.