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, causing homes, buildings, and churches to collapse and roads to crack.
I still couldn't process what has happened to us, Ms. Estalicas tells a reporter. I am overwhelmed with the things we experienced in the last two days.
The earthquake displaced nearly 80,000 people across Cebu and nearby provinces. Cebu is a major trading and transportation hub in the central Philippines. Ms. Estalicas, who lives in Medellin town, recalled how she ran outside with her family when the earthquake struck, sleeping under the open sky, and using plastic bags for shelter from rain.
About 10 km away, Lourenze Pareja also spent the night outdoors saying, There, under the night sky, we sat freely - in great faith - with our little lights, holding on to what resources we had. When the ground started shaking, he grabbed his phone to livestream the chaos, capturing neighbors fleeing their homes with children and pets.
As rescuers combed through the rubble, the military deployed troops for order during relief efforts. However, daily necessities like food and water remain a concern. Photographer Doods Demape drove to the provincial capital for supplies, struggling to find a petrol station that wasn’t swamped.
This earthquake hits amid a fierce typhoon season following heavy flooding in the region. Survivors continue demonstrating resilience, sharing resources in true bayanihan spirit, while remaining hopeful for immediate assistance and recovery from this recent tragedy.
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, causing homes, buildings, and churches to collapse and roads to crack.
I still couldn't process what has happened to us, Ms. Estalicas tells a reporter. I am overwhelmed with the things we experienced in the last two days.
The earthquake displaced nearly 80,000 people across Cebu and nearby provinces. Cebu is a major trading and transportation hub in the central Philippines. Ms. Estalicas, who lives in Medellin town, recalled how she ran outside with her family when the earthquake struck, sleeping under the open sky, and using plastic bags for shelter from rain.
About 10 km away, Lourenze Pareja also spent the night outdoors saying, There, under the night sky, we sat freely - in great faith - with our little lights, holding on to what resources we had. When the ground started shaking, he grabbed his phone to livestream the chaos, capturing neighbors fleeing their homes with children and pets.
As rescuers combed through the rubble, the military deployed troops for order during relief efforts. However, daily necessities like food and water remain a concern. Photographer Doods Demape drove to the provincial capital for supplies, struggling to find a petrol station that wasn’t swamped.
This earthquake hits amid a fierce typhoon season following heavy flooding in the region. Survivors continue demonstrating resilience, sharing resources in true bayanihan spirit, while remaining hopeful for immediate assistance and recovery from this recent tragedy.
