Historic Cebu church damaged in quake, but image of Santa Rosa de Lima remains untouched

A powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook northern Cebu on Tuesday night left visible cracks and damage to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Bogo City, but amid the destruction, one sacred object remained unscathed.

Church officials shared photos on Wednesday morning showing the extent of the damage to the historic shrine, which suffered structural cracks following the tremor.

But despite the quake's force, the retablo image of Santa Rosa de Lima, the city’s patron saint, was left completely intact.

The parish posted the photo of the undamaged image, calling attention to what many parishioners consider a sign of hope and resilience amid the tragedy.

The centuries-old church, a spiritual center for Bogo’s predominantly Catholic community, has withstood earthquakes and typhoons before. 

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Bogo City in Cebu on Tuesday evening at 9:59 p.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS.) 

Meanwhile, the reported death toll has increased to 60, according to an update from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) around 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

— Sherylin Untalan/LA, GMA Integrated News