A Celebration Turned to Fear: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake in The Middle of Our Teacher's Day Celebration

Hello my dear Hivers of the @asean.hive community. I hope you're all well and safe.

Today is supposed to be a day of joy and celebration for the teachers of our municipality. Today is our municipal wide teacher's day celebration.

There were so many events organized for us to enjoy. In the morning, would be the simultaneous opening program and the championship games for basketball men and women, and volleyball men and women.

Prior to this day, the ball game events were already started to have it finished today. Going back, the next part of the program today would be the "larong pinoy". Basically games that are played by Filipinos. Later in the afternoon would be the induction of municipal officers and awarding of certificates to personnel's who have brought pride to the district. Also those who are recognized as best in their fields.

We actually had the first game which was the egg catching. We had so much fun. Cheering for the participants representing the different clusters of the municipality.

We even had the chance to pose and smile for photos prior to the games.
You can't say something is also preparing to shock us all.

After the egg catching game, everyone waited for the next game. The organizing cluster were actually already giving the eggplants and the lemonsito. The game is supposed to be a relay.

Before the game started, a slow swaying of the ground happened for about ten seconds. I thought I just felt dizzy from standing abruptly, but someone shouted "linog!" Which means earthquake in bisaya.

Everyone was startled but stayed still, until the ground shaking become stronger. It's the time when everyone ran out the venue and dropped in the ground. Some were shouting and even crying.

It was longer than usual. We were scared and thought of the family members we left home. What made it even worse was the electricity went off and the cellular signal was down. There was no way to contact our families.

When the shaking finally stopped, the school head immediately had a meeting. They agreed upon the program, should it be pursued or not. They all agreed to cancel it. Before everyone was told to go home. A breathing exercise was done and a little sharing to release the tension and let go the emotions everyone is holding. It was a good thing to do because some really had it bad.

Who would have thought that the activity we all looked forward to, became a nightmare for us. The epicenter has a magnitude 7.4, stronger than the Cebu quake which was at 6.9 magnitude.

Earlier tonight, an aftershock of 6.9 magnitude struck us again. Good thing it was only for a few seconds. It left us not wanting to sleep anymore. There are news spreading that may be at 1 in the morning tomorrow another earthquake might happen which stronger than today. So terrifying.

Seems like the earthquake wants to travel the whole Philippines and experience it's terrifying effect.

Thanks for reading this far. Til my next post!

Note: Lead photo is edited in Canva.