This beautiful sun halo amazed residents when it was seen in the Philippines.

The stunning natural phenomenon was caused when ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere were refracted, resulting in colored or white rings around the sun.

Locals across the region watched the extraordinary sight for several minutes as the sun halo, or fire rainbow, materialised in the sky.

The phenomenon shows a clear 22 degrees radius rainbow ring around the sun in the city of Zambales.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) explained the phenomenon. They said in a statement: ‘'Halos around the sun or moon happen when high, thin cirrus clouds are drifting high above your head.

''Tiny ice crystals in Earth’s atmosphere cause the halos. They do this by refracting and reflecting the light.’’