The Philippines' most active Mayon volcano oozed lava and shot up plumes of ash, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes. State volcanologists raised the alert level on the volcano to two steps below a major eruption after ash explosions late Monday. Dark orange lava fragments glowed in the dark as they trickled down the mountain slope overnight. The head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the activity could get worse in coming days.<br/><br/>Governor Joey Salceda of Albay province said that more than 20,000 people were evacuated to safety by nightfall yesterday.<br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/>