Late on the night of September 30, 2025, at 9:59 p.m., a sudden, jarring tremor rattled northern Cebu. The magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Bogo City, with its epicenter about 19 kilometers northeast of the city and at a shallow depth of only 5 km. This combination magnified its destructive power.
Devastation in Towns and Heritage Sites
In Bogo City, one of the hardest-hit municipalities, structures fell. Cries echoed in narrow alleys as rescue teams rushed to clear debris.
Elsewhere in San Remigio, the sports complex hosting a basketball game collapsed mid-event, trapping players and spectators beneath concrete rubble, among the casualties reported.
In Daanbantayan, the famed Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima, a century-old landmark, was devastated, with roughly 70% to 80% of its structured destroyed. Yet, astonishingly, the image of Santa Rosa de Lima inside remained intact, a quiet symbol of endurance.
Across the region, more than 700 aftershocks were recorded in the days following, ranging between magnitudes 1.4 and 4.
Relief Amid the Ruins
Days after the quake, families were filled with uncertainty; they were displaced, they were afraid to return home, and their basic needs stretched thin. But alongside the fear came solidarity.
Select VoiceCom (SVC) Cebu responded by preparing and setting up relief packs and shelter materials for families most affected by the quake. Volunteers prepared 108 packs of essentials, including canned goods, drinking water, biscuits, milk, Milo, and coffee, together with 10 tents to serve as an emergency refuge for those who had lost their homes.
The donations were brought to Dakit in Bogo and Medellin, communities where many residents had been displaced and were forced to take shelter in open areas after their houses were damaged.
The sight of volunteers preparing food packs offered more than just supplies; it was a reminder that even in the darkest times, compassion can bring light.
“Our relief initiatives will offer immediate assistance to the community of Bogo following the recent earthquake. The involvement of our employees plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of unity and hope among those affected. Our help alleviates feelings of isolation, offering comfort and emotional support during this challenging period,” said Elsie Avergonzado, Head of HR at SVC.
In addition to community efforts, SVC has also extended aid to its own employees with families and homes in Bogo, Medellin, and Daanbantayan, recognizing that many of them were directly affected by the disaster.
Holding on to Hope
The earthquake left behind painful scars in Cebu, families mourning loved ones, homes reduced to rubble, and entire communities living with uncertainty. For those who lost so much, recovery will never be simple.
Yet in the midst of grief, something unshakable remains: the way people come together. Filipinos have always carried each other through hardship, and in Cebu, that spirit is alive, in neighbors sharing food, in strangers offering shelter, and in organizations and volunteers delivering relief.
Hope here is not loud or easy. It lives quietly in every gesture of care, in every hand extended to someone in need. And while the path ahead will be long, Cebu will keep moving forward, not alone, but with the strength of a community that refuses to leave anyone behind. - Paula Isaiah Panganiban-Castillo, Select VoiceCom