I never thought that today would be different from the previous days of 2012.
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| "Precaution No. 1" |
I was getting ready for lunch at the office (and eventually, my cherished noontime nap) when I heard one of our officemates screaming “earthquake”. The warning was punctuated by darkness (power lines were immediately shut down) that I instinctively groped for my bag and my cellphone, held hands with an officemate closest to me, and went out of the office. My dilemma was to either wait for the tremors to abate or to seek the nearest exit and stay in an open space in case the quake’s intensity increases enough to collapse the whole building. I can hear a rumbling sound and literally see parts of the building move, including the stairs that we need to pass through.
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| "Precaution No. 2" |
I realized right there and then that when the possibility of death and serious injury is but a few seconds away, one achieves a calmness of spirit and a sense of acceptance of what could happen next. We bravely took the 4 flights of stairs that appears to be swaying to the earth’s beat, unmindful of the fact that it might collapse any minute. It was by far the longest 20 seconds of my life. Fortunately, there were no pushing and shoving because those who were there with us were focused on only one thing: praying. I have made it a point to memorize Psalm 23 and I found that the phrase “
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me. Your staff and your rod, they comfort me” couldn’t be more meaningful than when I intoned it today. God became the center of our minds and hearts that it was no wonder we all came out of the building unharmed.
I immediately texted tats that I was okay but felt my knees wobble a bit. I also received a call from a high school friend (who is more like a sister the past 20 years) but I was too choked up to talk to her except to assure her that everything’s fine. God, in his loving way, heard what our hearts were hoping so that we all walked away from our harrowing experience badly-shaken, but grateful nevertheless that our worst fears did not happen.
Thirty minutes after the earthquake ceased-while I was on my way home, secure in the knowledge that today at least, won’t be my last day of existence- I simply took off my armor of facile strength and cried. I cried for the gift of insight to remain as calm as possible. I cried for the existence of friends who truly care. I cried for the realization that all the material things we possess mean nothing compared to the gift of life, and most of all I cried for yet, another validation that God loves us so much that he spared everyone from harm. I was shedding tears for the joy I felt within.
The quake’s intensity was recorded at 6.8, with forty two (42) aftershocks according to Phivolcs. This may not mean so much to some but to be in the middle of it without knowing when it’ll ever stop- or if there is a possibility that it will still get stronger- one becomes engulfed by a numbing fear that you can think of only two powerful allies: your instincts and most importantly, your faith in God.
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| "Precaution No. 3" |
Traces of today’s trauma will surely haunt all of us who were there in the so-called “line of disaster”. I keep telling myself there is a perfect reward for all of us who plodded through this ordeal- and that is the thought that we are all very blessed to have come out of it unscathed. Filipinos that we are, we’ll definitely focus on the funny side of what we did like how one of us clung helplessly to our door post (and should our building collapse, just go down embracing a piece of wood). Or how one ignored possible aftershocks and risked life and limb to go back for her can of Coke. I too, could probably bring the office laptop with me or my textbooks and “save” them but all I picked were a plastic of rice and chicken liver. I was told a friend (in another office) jumped through several steps of stairs in her haste (probably in her high-heeled shoes and executive suit).
I’m just thankful that I could still write about this. That tomorrow, this will be nothing but a part of our history. Most of all, I’m thankful that God is so good.
