Cebu, Philippines 6.9 Earthquake: A Call to Help Our Fellow Hivers

Hello Hive!!!

Where do I begin?

Personally, its not my first rodeo when it comes to experiencing first hand calamities - Typhoon, storms, flood, fire, and earthquake. Yes, I've experienced all of it growing up. So yes, mentally we have built up the resilience not to feel hopeless in moments like this. We are hopeful and we know this too shall pass.

I’m writing exactly 24 hours after the 6.9 earthquake that just hit Cebu, Philippines.

To be exact, the epicenter was located at Bogo, Cebu, in the northern part of the island, just a few kilometers away from my hometown SAN REMIGIO, where I currently live.

It was and still is a devastating experience, as waves of aftershocks are happening right now. Sources say it’s now 848+ aftershocks recorded and counting! Currently No power and electricity, we have water supply problems, road and infrastructure damages, deaths, and injured.

Source

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Unfortunately, we took a heavy toll as our ancestral home, where my grandpa still lives, has collapsed. Built in the 1930s, it had stood through decades of calamities, survived typhoons, storms, and fire. It held many stories from our generational family — but now, it’s finally come to pass.

Though we’re saddened by this, the most important part is the safety of our grandfather. Despite the fallen cabinets, broken furniture, collapsed walls, and blocked stairways, he was surprisingly unscathed. Yes, miraculously, he was unharmed while he was alone in his room during the shaking. (I guess Grandma in heaven made sure it wasn’t his time yet.)

My grandpa has dementia, barely walks, has other health issues, and is grumpy most of the time. It took some time to retrieve him because it was unsafe to climb to the second floor while the aftershocks were still going on. Fortunately, we managed to bring him to the evacuation center after that.

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Though we are all safe, we aren’t far from worse — not just for us, but for the rest of my fellow Hivers living in neighboring towns.

As some of you know, we have built a community of Hivers here north of Cebu mostly composed of teachers and students, with the help of my fellow @OCD onboarders @callmesmile, @mommyjane, @dehai, and more. Some of them are still sleeping outside their homes at night because of the ongoing aftershocks. We don’t know yet when the power, electricity, or water supply will be back; it may take days or even weeks. On top of that, we have constant heavy rains and possible typhoons/storms coming our way.

You can check here our past Hive/OCD onboardings.

For those who are feeling generous, feel free to send Hive or HBD here.

All your donations will be used to purchase the following:
Bottled water
Canned goods/Groceries
Rice
Solar/chargeable lamps and fans

And in times like this, we don’t just sit around — we come together and do what we can.

As of the moment, I am the only point person from Hive who can manage this. I have spearheaded a few donation drives here in Cebu, Philippines, with the help of @ybanezkim26 (currently out of the country). Rest assured that all your donations will be accounted for and made transparent with a report. Feel free to coordinate with @HIVEPH as well.

Past Donation Drive:

August 2023:
Fundraising: Letting the Amancion Students Experience the Magic at Cebu Safari
Starting the Year 2023 with some Hive Love: Amancion Elementary School Christmas Party.
December 2021:
HIVE PH donates 35,000 pesos to Typhoon Odette Victims
Eye of Odette | The Aftermath and A Call for Help
Moalboal Dog Rescue | Turn-over of Hive Donations and Transparency Report