It looks like Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon wants to imitate Mount Merapi in Indonesia. Let's hope not.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Mount Bulusan, which has been quiet for some time, emitted a light grayish steam and ash column early Saturday morning.

The ash explosion from Mount Bulusan reached an approximate height of 600 meters above the crater rim affecting at least six barangays including barangays Rangas, Aniog, Cogon and Juban Proper in Juban municipality; and Casiguran Proper and San Antonio in Casiguran municipality.

The ash ejection was reflected as an explosion type earthquake lasting 57 seconds. Seismic records before the event showed four volcanic earthquakes

Officials raised the Alert level from 0 to 1 (abnormal) because Mount Bulusan's current activity may indicate hydrothermal disturbance underneath the volcano which may lead to more steam and ash ejections.

Phivolcs director Re-nato Solidum advised residents to protect themselves from ash falls by covering their faces with handkerchiefs and towels. He also told them to close their doors and windows in case of ash falls then warned against entering the 4-km permanent danger zone even if there is no apparent volcanic activity because steam-driven explosions can occur due to hot rocks under the volcano interacting with rainwater.