Yesterday, February 5, the Visayas was hit by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake. Visayas. Our part of the country. Girlfriend and I were in the car on our way to Ayala Center at around 11.49 am to meet up with more friends for lunch. Next thing we knew people were grouping themselves out of a building. We figured, oh no, must a hold up (it was a bank). But as we went into the Ayala area, more people were streaming out into the streets. Ok, that's a bad sign. We didn't feel anything as we were in a moving car. The security guard told us what just happened. Didn't take me more than a second to speed dial my nanny at home. They were having lunch when the house shook. Picture frames feel but everyone's alright. Pre-schooler now at home was doing ok. Called the school for updates about my 1st grader. As expected school telephone line was busy. Hubby called to say he's ok but they were pretty shaken too. Minutes later the school called to say classes had been suspended. We all sighed in relief. Never have we experienced a 6.9. Caught us off guard. Nothing of that sort happens in Cebu. But then again... anything could happen , anywhere. Unlike our town, Negros part was hard hit. Very sad and unfortunate. They haven't even recovered from the great devastation brought by typhoon Sendong. After shocks went on until evening. Made me kinda whoozy. Around 3pm I decided I should be going home. Hubby had the same plan. But traffic was terrible. As I walked fast across the mall I saw sales attendants frantically packing up their booths and closing their stores. That was an alarming sight to me. My sweat became cold. I went to 3 different taxi bays at far ends of the mall. But no such luck. Taxi drivers have decided to go home to their families. I actually didn't blame them for that. I just wasnt lucky. Jeepneys were full. Hubby said traffic was crawling. We would have to meet halfway. I walked quite a distance before hubby caught up with me. Scene on the street was terrible. Mothers half-running dragging their little kids were crying. I felt their pain and fear. Tears were already threatening to fall out of my eyes. Big strong men walked with fear on their faces. In both directions all I could see was panic. I was cold all over. This wasn't happening. I'm too far from my kids. I had not been able to contact my friend Frederick who was working nearby and who I knew would have the right information. I was left with nothing but to walk and walk. A text message had been going around about an incoming tsunami thus the chaos. I happened to pass a security guard who was talking loadly on his two-way radio..."tsunami alert has been lifted..." was what I heard. I made a quick u-turn and confirmed his information. That made me calmer. Finally I reached a friend at ERUF for updates. Everything is going to be ok she said. But I just had to get home. My kids need me. How terrified they must be without anyone to explain the noise of the people outside our window. What an earthquake is. No tsunami. According to science (and our location), it would be impossible for a tsunami to hit the city. But then again... nothing is an exact science. And anything else could happen. It was better to be home.
At our street. Both hubby and I simultaneously said, "So near and yet so far...".
It took us about an hour to reach our house. Mind you, we live very near from where he caught me. It is just not the same. To be away from your kids when disaster strikes.
Thankfully everything is ok now. In our city at least. We continue to pray for those unfortunate who suffered from the earthquake.
Thank You Boss for our safety.
Thank You for taking good care of us.
Have mercy and give strength to those less fortunate.
We just had a wake up call. A jolting one at that.
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