From ‘Nonoy’ to ‘Nona’: Why did Pagasa change storm’s name?

The weather bureau changed the local name of tropical storm “Melor” from “Nonoy” to “Nona” for sounding like the nickname of President Benigno Aquino III.

In a report by radio dzMM, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said it changed the name of the storm which entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday morning “in deference” to President Aquino, who is commonly called “Noynoy.”

It was not the first time that the name of a tropical cyclone had to be changed due to resemblance to a president’s name.

In 2006, cyclone “Gloria” was renamed to “Glenda” for being similar with the name of then sitting president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“Nona” has intensified further on Sunday morning as it is expected to make landfall in the Samar-Bicol area on Monday.