6.9-magnitude earthquake rocks international pageant in Cebu

CEBU CITY —It was an ending that nobody expected. 

At 10:40 p.m.—just when the host was delivering the closing spiel of the gala night of Miss Asia Pacific International 2025—a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Cebu, sending everyone to seek shelter under tables to protect themselves from falling debris.

The night started off in a festive mood with dances and songs showcasing the best of Cebu's talents inside the ballroom of a hotel located in the city's north reclamation area. 

In attendance were former titleholders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, representatives from public and private sectors, and no less than Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.  

A pair of earrings from a jewelry brand and chairs from the collection of world-renowned furniture designers, Kenneth Cobonpue and Vito Selma, were some of the items auctioned off during the benefit gala. 

Cebu's top designers headlined by master couturier Cary Santiago dressed up the 42 candidates of the international pageant with their interpretations of the Philippine terno. (The pageant is scheduled to have its coronation night on October 8 at the Cebu Coliseum.)

The official invitation of the benefit gala noted that poceeds from the auction and a portion of the table sales will be donated to Operation Smile Philippines Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides free surgeries to children with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities. 

In the audience was Manila-based public affairs professional Alphonse Estacio, who was in Cebu for work-related tasks.

Estacio, who was watching the finale runway walk of the beauty queens, felt the table vibrating and then in split-second realized that it was an earthquake.

He waited for the shake to subside, just like his previous experiences, but the shaking grew stronger. 

With other guests, Estacio followed what he learned from earthquake drills —to duck, cover, and hold—just when a portion of the hotel ballroom's ceiling gave way and pieces of the chandelier fell on the floor. 

He later called his wife and children to tell them that he is safe.

"At first, I was relaxed thinking the tremor would simply pass during the program’s finale. But as it grew stronger, I realized it was not an ordinary earthquake. I am still shaken and shocked but I feel relieved knowing that everyone [in the ballroom] is safe," he said. 

As the tremor's intensity subsided, hotel personnel led guests to the parking lot as they assessed the situation. 

Bottled water and chairs were distributed to help calm down the guests and candidates. 

Miss Belgium, Jana Janssen, who was earlier recognized with the Best in Philippine Terno award, suffered an injury after falling off the runway.

In a statement, the Miss Asia Pacific International organization assured everyone that the candidates and working team are safe.

"The organization has taken immediate measures to ensure the well-being of our candidates and staff and we remain committed to their continued safety and care," the official statement reads.

The organization also expressed their solidarity to the people of Cebu and to "all those affected by this incident."

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, in a video released on her Facebook page, called on the local government units to be proactive and to stay alert as aftershocks are to be expected. 

Baricuatro said the Capitol has already set up the emergency operations center and is currently coordinating with relevant agencies to assess the damage. — BM, GMA Integrated News