“I was so afraid, I thought it’s our life’s end. To be saved from the falling debris, me and my youngest child went out of our house through the window. After that, I lost consciousness,” narrated 45-year-old deaconess Marbe Maguila from Tambongon Congregation who live at Purok Makipilipino, Lambusan, San Remigio.

“The earthquake was so strong that our appliances fell down, I was even hit by a speaker. Power went out. I was trembling with fear,” narrated 31-year-old Vannessa Catana, a resident of Purok 3-A Ampalaya, Tambongon, San Remigio, Cebu. “We have nothing to eat. No potable water. We’re so afraid of the aftershocks, that’s why my family chose to sleep at the side of the road. We’ve waited there for assistance, for relief goods.”

The 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck on September 30, 2025 at 9:59 p.m. It was felt in not only Cebu but also the nearby province of Bohol, some areas of Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Southern Luzon, and Mindanao. In Central Visayas or Region 7, as of October 3, a total of 53 municipalities and cities have declared “State of Calamity.” Triggered by the newly discovered Bogo Bay Fault, the earthquake has spawned over 9,000 aftershocks.

Inspired to help those in need, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) organized a Lingap sa Mamamayan or Care for Humanity event on October 7, 2025.

During the said event held at Bogo City Congregation’s house of worship compound, Cebu City, Cebu District supervising minister Brother Jomar Dueñas and Bogo City, Cebu District supervising minister Brother Dante Mujar led in handing over a total of 10,000 relief packs, which contained kilos of rice and canned goods, both to INC members and nonmembers.

Despite the great turnout of the afflicted at the said venue, “the giving of relief packs was orderly conducted,” attested Brother Mujar in an interview afterwards. “This prompt aid came from the Church Administration. Giving these packages is in obedience to God’s command of helping anyone in need.”

Respective families of Maguila and Catana received such aid, for which they were thankful. “I thank the Iglesia Ni Cristo for handing out to us even though we’re nonmembers. This is a great help to us,” said Catana. — With assistance from Ivan Shieldon Llesol and Kevin Andagan