Living in the danger zone

MANILA, Philippines - Children frolicking on the shore while their parents haul in another bountiful catch of fish found only in Taal Lake. It’s an idyllic scene that can now be obliterated in a few moments.

Taal Volcano is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world, and it is acting up again causing multiple tremors that crack walls clear across the lake to the mainland. Alert Level 2 has been raised by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or PHIVOLCS; and the entire volcano island has been declared a permanent danger zone. Hence, authorities have been urging the residents of Volcano Island to evacuate, convinced that the volcano is ready to erupt. Yet many refuse to leave, afraid of losing their livelihood.

Tonight after Saksi on GMA 7, I-Witness host Howie Severino and his team enter the danger zone on the island to see what’s at stake. They discover that in addition to the island residents, many live in floating houses on the water surrounding the island and may be even more at risk in case of an eruption.

The team also learns about the history of Taal’s eruptions, visits ruins from past cataclysms and realizes that a major eruption will not only kill many but could rearrange one of the country’s most famous landscapes.

Join Howie as he comes face-to-face with those who insist on living within the permanent danger zone.