The Cebuanos’ sense of community is robust, particularly in challenging times.
Immediately after the deadly 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu late evening on September 30, 2025, individuals and groups offered immediately to assist and transport patients from affected areas to hospitals in neighboring towns and in Cebu City.
GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak witnessed how kindness works from persons you would think have nothing more to give.
On October 1, 2025, while the news team was on its way to ground zero for a coverage, Grace Arnade and Elma Pepito of Yati, Liloan asked the news team that passed by the town to bring to earthquake survivors in northern Cebu the pancakes they have made.
They were supposed to sell the pancakes for income but decided to give them, instead, because they want to help in this time of crisis even in their own little way.
“Na-feel nako kon unsay bati-on sa kana ron ilang sitwasyon, nagutom, dili lalim ang nahitabo karon,” Elma said to the news team.
"Amo na man lang jud ning ipadala, mao to pagkakita namo naa man ang GMA nga sakyanan,” Elma added.
The Cebuanos' sense of community is so strong that one does not have to beg for it. It is automatic, swift, efficient, and voluntary.
Donors flocked to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City following the Provincial Government’s call for help after the devastating tremor.
Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, Capitol’s pro-bono consultant on health, in her Facebook account on October 2, 2025, wrote: “Currently at VSMMC. Massive number of blood donors. THANK YOU for answering the call to help.”
Based on latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), death toll reached over 60 while over 290 people have been injured during the quake.
Further, several students from Cebu universities gathered for the repacking of relief goods and other in-kind donations at the Capitol Heritage Park on October 1, 2025.
Based on a post of The Technologian, the official student publication of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U), these efforts are “directed to the residents of Bogo.”
Students are from CIT-U, University of the Philippines Cebu, Southwestern University, University of the Philippines, Cebu Normal University, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Cebu Technological University, University of San Jose - Recoletos, University of Cebu, Asian College Technology, University of San Carlos, and University of the Visayas.
The Veterinary Medicine Student Council, led by Gov. Eujin Ricci Regner, vowed help is on the way for furry friends in northern Cebu.
“In times of calamity, no pet is ever left behind,” Southwestern University (SWU) PHINMA said in a post.
In addition, student volunteers from various institutions arrived in large numbers at theCebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo City.
The volunteers helped manage the crowd and ensure an orderly distribution process of relief assistance.
Volunteers swarmed to thousands in just two days at the Cebu Provincial Command Center for earthquake relief operations.
Over 3,500 volunteers turned up at the the Provincial Capitol to help in the repacking and loading of relief goods on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
Initially, around 8,000 volunteers showed up right after Capitol announced of the need for volunteers in the relief efforts.
(via Fe Marie Dumaboc/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak; Dr. Elisse Catalan/FB, Hannah Jane Baldado/The Technologian; Dr. Rickmond Delabajan/SWU PHINMA; Zavia Angelene Tuzara/The Quill)
