Resilience Amid Ruins: The Aftermath of the Philippines' Devastating Earthquake

Sun Oct 12 2025 02:37:12 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the wake of a catastrophic earthquake in Cebu, survivors like Arguel Estalicas face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives while battling physical and emotional scars. Relief efforts are underway, but basic necessities remain scarce.

A powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu, Philippines, displacing nearly 80,000 people and resulting in at least 68 deaths. Survivors are living in temporary shelters, coping with the aftermath while seeking essential supplies like food and water. As relief efforts begin, local communities unite to support each other in their most trying times.

Two days after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck her hometown in the central Philippines, Arguel Estalicas says she still feels dizzy every time she stands up.

That spinning feeling, coupled with a string of aftershocks, has left the 35-year-old tourism officer and many other survivors too scared to return to their homes, forcing them to live in tents temporarily.

The earthquake shook the northern coast of Cebu, one of the country's most populous islands, on the night of 30 September, jolting many out of their sleep.

It killed at least 68 people and wounded more than 500 others, as homes, buildings, and churches collapsed and roads cracked.

I still couldn't process what has happened to us, Ms. Estalicas tells the BBC. I am overwhelmed with the things we experienced in the last two days.

The 35-year-old lives in Medellin town, near the quake's epicenter. Disaster response officials say the earthquake displaced nearly 80,000 people across Cebu and nearby provinces. Cebu is a major trading and transportation hub in the central Philippines.

She said she got out of bed screaming when the earthquake struck and ran outdoors with her family.

They slept under the open sky, but when a light drizzle fell, Ms. Estalicas and her family wrapped themselves up in plastic bags because they did not have raincoats.

Photos on social media showed them slouched on plastic chairs, swathed in plastic bags fogged up by their breath.

About 10km away, in San Remigio municipality, Lourenze Pareja also spent the night outdoors on the night of the earthquake.

There, under the night sky, we sat freely - in great faith - with our little lights, holding on to what resources we had, Mr. Pareja wrote on Facebook. Pray for us, everyone.

When the ground started shaking, Mr. Pareja said he grabbed his phone and ran to the street to livestream the unfolding chaos - neighbours in pajamas leaving their homes, with their children and pets in tow.

The Philippines is vulnerable to natural disasters, located on the geologically unstable Ring of Fire. This earthquake is among the strongest and deadliest in recent years, prompting the military to assist with relief efforts.

Despite many challenges, Cebu locals remain hopeful, demonstrating their tight-knit community spirit, known as bayanihan, as they support one another through these trying times.