Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 15) — The state weather bureau warns heat rising to dangerous levels this dry season.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said some areas have experienced dangerous levels of heat index last week, just as the onset of summer was was declared.

Nueva Ecija on Wednesday recorded a 50.2 degrees Celsius heat index. On Saturday, the highest heat index was experienced in Calapan, Oriental Mindorro at 41 degrees Celsius.

The heat index or "init factor" is the temperature people feel. Heat indices 41 degrees Celsius and up are considered dangerous to human beings.

The PAGASA said continued exposure could cause heat cramps, or worse, heat stroke.

Aldczar Aurelio, a PAGASA weather specialist, said: "Iwasan lang po natin magbilad sa sikat ng araw lalo na po sa pagitan ng alas-10 ng umaga hangang alas-4 ng hapon. Bakit? Doon po natin nakukuha ang maximum na temperature sa buong araw."

[Translation: Let's avoid staying under the sun for prolonged periods of time especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Why? Because that's when the maximum temperature is recorded.]

Aurelio also gave the following advice:

Don't forget to keep hydrated;

Wear light-colored clothes, as dark colors absorb more heat.

He warned, the highest temperatures happen in May.

"Ito kasi nag-uumpisa pa lang. Hindi pa ito ang peak," Aurelio said.

[Translation: This is just starting. This isn't the peak.]