Hello, Hive Family! I am @rufajane, currently living in San Remigio, a municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. Today, I’m writing not just another blog, but a story of survival and faith. We are currently facing a calamity we never expected. No one expected it.
[source](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/visayas/cebu-earthquake-updates-news-information-areas-affected-damage-aftershocks-september-2025/)
To be exact, the earthquake happened on September 30, 2025, around 9 to 10 PM. According to an [update and research](https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/33135-press-release-primer-on-the-30-september-2025-magnitude-mw-6-9-offshore-northern-cebu-earthquake), the quake had its epicenter 19 kilometers northeast offshore of Bogo City with an estimated depth of 5 kilometers. As of 8:00 AM PST on October 1, 2025, the DOST-PHIVOLCS Philippine Seismic Network (PSN) had already recorded 722 aftershocks ranging from M1.4 to M4.8.
That night, I was about to sleep. I had gone upstairs to our second floor and, as usual, I prayed before closing my eyes. Suddenly, the ground shook violently, so strong that trees fell and houses crumbled in our neighborhood. Our whole barangay was filled with traumatic shouts. Before the strong shaking, my father managed to shout, “Linog *(earthquake)*, cover your head!!!” But I was frozen, lying under my blanket. The house trembled uncontrollably. I held on tightly to the bed, praying over and over for God’s protection. It was a moment of pure terror, a trauma we never imagined we’d experience.
[source](https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/660518/live-updates-cebu-earthquake)
When the shaking finally stopped, I was still in my room, crying and unable to move. My siblings were just as shocked. From downstairs, my father shouted, “Naog mo! Naa pa ni aftershock. Ayaw mog padaog anang inyong karatol kay usahay mao nay mopatay sa inyo. Stop crying, hunahuna unsaon nato paggawas sa balay.” *(“Everyone, get downstairs now! There are still aftershocks coming. Don’t let your panic take over because that’s what can put you in danger. Stop crying and focus, think about how we can get out of the house safely!”)* His words snapped us out of panic. We hurried to our parents and let them guide us out of the house to a safer place away from falling debris.
We stayed outside the whole night, sleeping in the cold, uncertain of what would happen next. Even after the main quake, aftershocks kept coming, and each one brought a wave of fear and trauma.
The following morning, **"panic buying"** was declared but we didn’t panic. We couldn’t, because we had no money. Not even a peso. Thankfully, we had bananas ready for harvest. My father quickly gathered them so we’d have something to eat. In that moment, we truly felt God’s mercy. Despite our financial and emotional struggles, we survived.
But the destruction around us was heartbreaking. Schools were damaged, and sadly, some of my schoolmates were injured and some even lost their lives. I wasn’t related to them, but the pain of their loss hit me deeply. And according to an [update](https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/10/2/death-toll-rises-to-72-after-powerful-earthquake-in-philippines#:~:text=Gallery%7CEarthquakes-,Death%20toll%20rises%20to%2072%20after%20powerful%20earthquake%20in%20Philippines,unsettle%20communities%20in%20northern%20Cebu.&text=The%20death%20toll%20from%20the,risen%20to%2072%2C%20officials%20confirmed.), the death toll has now risen to 72 with more than 20,000 evacuees and 294 injured. Rescue teams even recovered more bodies overnight from a collapsed hotel in Bogo City near the epicenter. With all victims now accounted for, some rescue units in Cebu province have been instructed to “demobilise”.
[source](https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/660890/sleeping-in-plastic-bags-north-cebu-residents-struggle-after-quake)
Some survivors are now sleeping inside plastic bags just to stay dry when it rains. It hurts so much to see people in this state, knowing I want to help but also needing help myself. My family has always been known for generosity, but this time, all we can offer is our prayers and our deepest concern for everyone affected.
**TO ALL OF MY HIVE FAMILY HERE WHO EXPERIENCE THE SAME:**
I don’t even know where to begin, but please hold on and stay safe. I know many of you lost your homes, and some of you don’t even have food or water tonight. It breaks my heart to see people on the streets, with nothing but empty hands, begging strangers to notice them, begging just for a little hope.
And in those moments, I think of you, my Hive family. I wonder if you’re okay, if you’re warm, if you’ve eaten, if you’re still holding on.
I may be trembling from my own trauma, with my family struggling beside me, but still, I carry each of you in my prayers. If I had the means, I would not hesitate to help. But for now, all I can give is my love, my concern, and the reminder that you are not alone.
Please remember this: we are family here. And in family, no one is ever forgotten.
There is always a way out, even from the darkest night. Do not give up. Do not let this calamity steal the light from your heart. We will survive this storm together.
Stay strong, my Hive family. Stay safe. Please. Always. 😥
