A GIANT "cauliflower-shaped" cloud of ash and smoke
                 rising over the Mayon volcano in Albay province, 340
                 km south-east of Manila, on Wednesday. The
                 2,460-m-high mountain has been restless since June last
                 year, prompting government vulcanologists to declare a
                 "danger zone" 6-km around the summit, and up to 7 km
                 on the south-eastern slope.

                 Famous for its almost perfect cone, Mayon is a favourite
                 site for tourists and mountain climbers.

                 The latest explosion is the most powerful since Sept 22
                 but there have been no immediate reports of casualties,
                 said the authorities.

                             Adapted from The Straits Times, 8 Jan 2000