With winds of up to 240km/h, Nock-Ten is due to make landfall in the Bicol region on Christmas Day, the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center says.
The Philippines' weather office said sustained winds were up to 175km/h.
Dozens of ports have been closed, as officials warn of potentially deadly two-metre (6.6ft) waves.
In October, Super Typhoon Haima hit the country, killing at least four people.
On Sunday morning, typhoon Nock-Ten (also known as Nina) was about 195km east of the Catanduanes island.