A CALL FOR HELP CHAIN: WHAT NORTHERN CEBUANOS NEED NOW AFTER THE 6.9 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE

What was supposed to be a peaceful night of rest and relaxation turned into one of the most horrifying experiences we will never forget. The hours that should have been spent sleeping and regaining our strength became filled with fear, screams, and panic. Even now, after a few days have passed, the memory of that night haunts us. The damage has been done, and the trauma will always be there. This disaster left a scar in the hearts of us Cebuanos that time can never easily erase.

Bogo City and nearby towns have recently been placed under a state of calamity after a strong earthquake struck us with a magnitude of 6.9. It was one of the strongest we have ever felt in years, and truly something none of us expected. In just a matter of seconds, lives were lost, houses were damaged, and communities were shaken both physically and emotionally. Many people never thought something like this would happen on an ordinary Tuesday night.

It was supposed to be just another fun evening. People went about their routines, some enjoying dinner with their families, while others were out with friends. Other people were even inside a sports complex in San Remigio, playing their beloved game—basketball. Nobody thought that it would be their last. The sound of cheers and laughter quickly turned into cries of fear as the building trembled and debris began to fall. For some, the dream of scoring another point turned into a nightmare of trying to escape.

One of the people who died inside that sports complex was a referee from our neighboring barangay in Hagnaya. We might not have been very close, but I knew him well enough to feel saddened by his sudden passing. He was a kind young man, respected by many, who died doing the thing he loved most. His death, along with many others, reminded us how fragile life is, how in just a blink of an eye everything can change.

I also cannot forget how we ourselves survived that night. We were just playing an online game at home, laughing and making jokes, when the ground suddenly began to shake violently. At first, we thought it would stop in a few seconds, but it only grew stronger. All we could do was shout, “Lord, have mercy on us,” as we tried to hold on. My mother and siblings were screaming in the other room, their voices filled with fear. I rushed to shield my two younger siblings, trembling as I prayed that no debris would fall on us. Hearing my mother call out our names broke me inside, knowing that even she could not protect us from what was happening.

The earthquake was so strong that it felt like we were in a movie. Everything seemed unreal, like a dream we wished to wake up from. But it was not a dream. It was a painful reality. The trauma, the scars, and the grief of those who lost loved ones can never be exchanged for anything.

After the quake, we could not even return to our house to check our belongings. The aftershocks were too strong and too frequent. We had no choice but to camp outside, on the streets, along with our neighbors. It was safer under the open sky than under the roof of our houses that might collapse at any moment.

Now, three days have passed since that night, and the aftershocks still continue. It has been reported that more than 4000 and counting aftershocks have already been recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 1.2 to 5.1. The death toll has reached 72, with over 200 injured. Every aftershock feels like another alarm clock, waking us in the middle of the night, making us panic and wonder if another big one is coming. Nights have become longer and scarier, as many of us can no longer sleep soundly.

Some children in our area even resorted to writing banners asking for food and water, holding them up to passing cars in hopes of help. It broke my heart to see kids forced to do such things just to survive. Relief goods were slow to reach some areas, and for days, many families had nothing to eat. Parents watched their children cry from hunger, feeling helpless. Some households had no choice but to share whatever little they had left, if any.

It’s so heartbreaking to see kids at such a young age forced to do things like this because they have no other choice. The people in our area still haven’t received any relief goods. So, my friends @whosee, @rheign, @cintilla and I here in Hive decided to use this platform to do a fundraising effort to help our fellow cebuanos who are also victims of the calamity. The relief goods have not yet reached our area, and it has already been three days. We are planning to use the HBD we’ll earn from this post and from their posts to buy groceries and other necessities for the people in our community.

But if any of you are planning to help, we want to let you know the things that our community needs the most:
• flashlights
• mosquito nets
• mosquito coils
• tents
• food (canned goods or any easy-to-cook food)
• clean water
• diapers for babies
• hygiene kits
Let me know if you want to extend your help to us, and we will meet half way.

Despite all this pain and suffering, one thing I realized is how resilient and helpful Cebuanos are. Even though many of us are struggling, people still find ways to help their neighbors. Families share food with those who have none, and strangers extend comfort to each other even while dealing with their own fears. What’s more inspiring is seeing how Cebuanos from other municipalities reached out to us, bringing donations and supplies to areas that have not yet received help. It showed how strong the bayanihan spirit is among us.

We also humbly ask for your prayers. In times like this, when fear and uncertainty surround us, prayers become our greatest source of strength. We may not have control over the aftershocks or the hardships that follow, but we believe that prayers can give us hope, courage, and comfort. As we continue to face sleepless nights and the challenges brought by this disaster, your prayers mean so much to us. They remind us that we are not alone, that people care, and that brighter days will eventually come.

We may have lost homes, belongings, and even loved ones, but we have not lost our courage and faith. This disaster has scarred us, but it also reminded us of the strength we hold as a people. Together, we will rebuild. Together, we will rise again. And for every hand that reached out to help, for every gesture of kindness extended to us during this dark time, we Cebuanos will always be grateful.