Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council personnel monitor the track of super typhoon #NandoPH at the city’s emergency operations center.

MANILA, Philippines — Super Typhoon Nando lashed Northern Luzon, hitting the Panuitan Islands in Cagayan after making landfall at 3 PM yesterday.

According to the 5 PM advisory from PAGASA, Signal No. 5 remains hoisted over the Babuyan Islands.

Nando is packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 295 kph.

Super Typhoon Nando is moving west at 25 kilometers per hour and has passed over the Babuyan Islands.

Although Metro Manila and Central Luzon are not directly affected by the strongest winds, these areas will continue to experience strong gale-force winds due to the trough of Typhoon Nando and the southwest monsoon.

Nando is forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

Northern Luzon

Northern Luzon is the northernmost major island region of the Philippines, renowned for its stunning Cordillera Central mountain range and the UNESCO World Heritage Banaue Rice Terraces. Often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” these terraces were carved into the mountains over 2,000 years ago by the indigenous Ifugao people. The region is also historically significant for its preserved Spanish-era cities, like Vigan, and for being a center of indigenous cultures that resisted colonization.

Panuitan Islands

The Panuitan Islands are a small, uninhabited island group located in the Cuyo East Pass of the Sulu Sea in the Philippines. Historically, they were noted by Spanish colonial authorities in the 19th century as a navigational landmark and a potential source of timber. Today, the islands are primarily known to fishermen and are recognized for their surrounding coral reefs.

Cagayan

Cagayan is a province in the northeastern part of the Philippines’ Luzon island, known for its rich agricultural lands and dramatic natural landscapes. Its history dates back to prehistoric times, with the discovery of stone tools and fossils in the Callao Caves suggesting early human habitation. The area was later a significant site for Spanish colonization, established as a province in 1583.

Babuyan Islands

The Babuyan Islands are a volcanic archipelago located in the Luzon Strait north of the Philippine mainland. Historically used for fishing and agriculture, the islands are known for their active volcanoes, particularly Babuyan Claro and Smith Volcano. The region remains relatively remote, with a culture and ecosystem distinct from the main islands of the Philippines.

Metro Manila

Metro Manila is the bustling capital region of the Philippines, a dense metropolis composed of 16 cities. It was officially established in 1975 to administer the rapidly growing urban area, which includes the historic city of Manila, the former capital founded by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Today, it serves as the country’s political, economic, and cultural center.

Central Luzon

Central Luzon is a key region on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, historically known as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines” due to its vast fertile plains. It is also historically significant as the location of Clark Air Base, a major U.S. military facility, and for being the site of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)

The Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is not a physical or cultural site, but a designated meteorological monitoring zone in the Western Pacific. It is a region defined by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to track weather disturbances, such as typhoons, that may affect the country. The boundary was established to clearly delineate the area where PAGASA has the primary responsibility for issuing weather forecasts and warnings to ensure public safety.

Quezon City

Quezon City was founded in 1939 and served as the capital of the Philippines from 1948 to 1976, replacing Manila. It was named after Manuel L. Quezon, the second President of the Philippines, who envisioned a new capital city. Today, it is the country’s most populous city and a major hub for government, education, and commerce.