Storm Ma-on makes landfall

Watery lessons: A teacher leading the singing of the national anthem at a flooded school in Pampanga province. — Reuters

A TROPICAL storm lashed the northern Philippines with strong wind and rain, injuring at least two people and prompting the president to close schools and government offices in the capital and outlying provinces.

Tropical Storm Ma-on slammed into Maconacon town in Isabela province Tuesday morning with sustained winds of 110kph and gusts of up to 150kph and will barrel northwestward through northern provinces before blowing away from the country overnight, forecasters said.