Reflections on the Earthquake in Manay Davao Oriental, and other places in the Philippines; Understanding Why the Philippines Often Shakes
Recently, an earthquake struck the town of Manay Davao Oriental, not far from my birthplace in Mati Davao Oriental Philippines. Hearing about it brought both sadness and reflection. Earthquakes are natural events that remind us how fragile and unpredictable life can be. For those of us who have roots in Davao Oriental, the trembling ground is more than just a news headline — it’s a reminder of our connection to home, our people, and our responsibility to prepare and stay strong.
Every time I sleep without taking sleeping medicine, I always encounter deep dream. I oftened witness this in my deep dreams, and I've shared it with my close friends and to my husband(Japanese). Before I shared this kind of dream on social media already, but I immediately erased it because they don't believe it. I don't want to share it again repeatedly on Social Media because it might cause fear among others and some others don't believe, and I don't want people on Social media not to criticize me.
But my friend told me a joke that'd look like a sleeping witch. Because if have deep sleep naturally without taking sleeping pills, expecting will have a deep dream again like a clairvoyant witch, she said. But I replied "I'm not a witch," it's just happen to me. Actually if I'm taking sleeping pills I never encounter deep dreams. But if I'm not taking sleeping pills and sleep naturally, expecting to witness the visions again that are not pleasant. Then I woke up immediately crying because I'm scared of the tragedy that I witnessed in my dream. Without hesitation, I prayed with all my heart to prevent the occurrence of what I witnessed in my dream of disasters and calamities in the future. But it strike happened again. Many of my dreams have happened already. That's why I don't want to sleep naturally. I'll make it sure I will have sleeping pills.
So again, my friend told me if not a witch, so that's a gift from God or message from God, so you must share it with everybody so that they can be aware, be prepare, and tell them must be PRAY. But I said not to be share because I don't want to criticize or tag as a false prophet(BULAANG PROPETA).
My Opinion and Reflection on the Earthquake in Manay, Davao Oriental
When I first noticed about the earthquake in Manay Davao Oriental, my heart was immediately filled with concern; honestly I was so stressed and tensed because of worrying too much like an Anxiety. Because the calamities and disasters that I witnessed in my deep dream had terribly happened again.
That place is not just a location on the map — it’s close to where I was born in Mati Davao Oriental; and Banhawan Tarragona Davao Oriental. My elder brother reside in Mati Davao Oriental as well. I have cousin who live in Banhawan Tarragona Davao Oriental, and I have close relatives who live there too. Typically, Banhawan Tarragona, Davao Oriental is our hometown province. The distance from Manay Davao Oriental to Banhawan in Tarragona, Davao Oriental is approximately 30.1 kilometers by car. The usual duration of the trip is 49 minutes. The Surigao-Davao Coastal Road is usually where this route goes.
The thought that the ground I once walked on had shaken so strongly gave me a mix of fear and deep reflection.
For me, this earthquake is a wake-up call. It reminds us that even though nature is beautiful, it can also be unpredictable and powerful. The people of Davao Oriental are known for their resilience and faith, but each disaster tests our preparedness and unity once again. I believe that instead of living in fear, we must live with awareness and readiness — because earthquakes can happen anytime, anywhere in the Philippines.
Many of our kababayans (fellow Filipinos) in Mindanao may have already experienced tremors before, but every new earthquake brings new lessons. It shows us the importance of building stronger homes, planning evacuation routes, and always being informed about what to do before and after a disaster. I also hope that this event will inspire more people, especially local governments and communities, to strengthen disaster education and awareness programs.
What gives me hope is how Filipinos always rise after every calamity. Whether in Davao, Luzon, or Visayas — we have this spirit of helping one another. That’s something the earthquake cannot shake.
Why Do Earthquakes Happen in the Philippines?
The Philippines experiences frequent earthquakes because it is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active regions in the world. This “Ring of Fire” is a horseshoe-shaped zone surrounding the Pacific Ocean where many tectonic plates meet and constantly move against each other.
Under the Philippines, there are several major fault lines and trenches, including the Philippine Fault Zone, the Philippine Trench, and the Cotabato Trench in Mindanao. When these massive plates collide, slide, or move apart, the energy that builds up beneath the earth’s crust is suddenly released — this release of energy causes the ground to shake, creating what we call an earthquake.
The movement of these plates is a natural process of the Earth’s geology. However, the strength and frequency of earthquakes vary depending on the area and the depth of the movement underground. Davao Oriental, being near these active faults, is among the regions that often experience noticeable tremors.
The recent earthquake in the Philippines was caused by the movement and interaction of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
These two major tectonic plates are constantly colliding — the Philippine Sea Plate is moving toward the west, while the Eurasian Plate is pushing toward the east. This collision creates intense pressure along fault lines such as the Philippine Fault System, leading to frequent earthquakes.
๐ In summary:
- Main tectonic plates involved: Philippine Sea Plate and Eurasian Plate
- Cause: Subduction and collision between the two plates
- Result: Earthquake activity along the Philippine Fault and nearby trenches
What Can We Learn from This?
The earthquake in Manay or any part of Philippines is a reminder that preparedness saves lives. We cannot prevent earthquakes, but we can reduce their impact through education, planning, and cooperation. Families must know what to do — “duck, cover, and hold” during a quake, and evacuate safely if they live near landslide-prone or coastal areas.
Government agencies and communities should continue conducting earthquake drills, improving infrastructure resilience, and teaching people how to respond calmly during emergencies. Awareness and unity are our greatest defenses.
How to Prepare Before and After Calamities and Disasters
Disasters can strike at any time — whether it’s a typhoon, earthquake, flood, or fire. Being prepared can make the difference between safety and danger, between losing everything and saving lives. Preparation is not just about having supplies; it’s also about awareness, planning, and quick response. In this post, we’ll talk about what to do before and after calamities to keep you, your family, and your community safe. Preparedness is a routine practice in Japan for calamities and disasters. These are the methods of preparation that I learned here in Japan.
Before a Calamity: Preparation is the Key⤵️
1. Stay Informed⤵️
- Always monitor news updates and weather alerts from trusted sources. Learn about the types of disasters common in your area so you can prepare accordingly.
- Create an Emergency Plan
- Conduct regular Emergency Drills.
- Discuss with your family what to do during an emergency. Identify safe places in your home or community and establish meeting points in case you get separated.
- Prepare an Emergency Kit. Containing essential items needed for the first 72 hours of an emergency or evacuation.
- Pack essentials such as:⤵️ (It's important to keep these items in your home's emergency exit to ensure easy access during a disaster, as we did in Japan. We replace food, water, and medicine before it expires or we replace these things every 6 months.⤵️)
- Drinking water (at least 3 days’ supply)
- Pack a three-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food. Non-perishable food items such as canned goods like canned fruits, canned vegetables, and canned meats; high-protein options like peanut butter, nuts, and jerky; and shelf-stable grains such as crackers, cereal. Also, be include dried fruit, and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) if available. It is essential to also include a manual can opener and consider special dietary needs
- First aid kit, Prescription medications: Have at least a 7-day supply of any necessary prescriptions and contact lens, solution for those with blurred vision if the eyeglass is damaged unexpectedly.
- Important documents, Extra cash: ATMs and credit card systems may be down, so keep cash in small bills, Include a paper map of your area, in case you cannot access GPS, (stored in waterproof bags),
- Weather-appropriate clothing: Include a complete change of clothes, including long-sleeved shirts, pants, sturdy closed-toe shoes, and rain gear.
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items: Include moist towelettes, hand sanitizer, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine supplies.
- Optionally, portable folding toilet with plastic bag that we use at the campsite.
- If possible, place all these needed items in a bucket that can be carried. Because the bucket can also be used as a portable toilet, but don't forget the trash bag.
- Folding umbrella or raincoat,
- A multi-tooled pocketknife like a "Swiss Army Knife" or other multi-purpose tool thrifty items available in the market because Swiss Army Knife is expensive. They called here in Japan as pocket survival tool(ใตใใคใใซใใผใซ)or pocket utility tool. A multi-tool can be used for cutting, opening, and tightening tasks & Rope
- Flashlight: Include a durable flashlight or headlamp, extra batteries, power bank, Smartphone
- Radio: A battery-powered or hand-cranked radio is essential for receiving emergency broadcasts if power is out.
- Duct tape and plastic sheeting: Useful for creating a makeshift shelter or sealing off an area.
- Whistle: Use a whistle to signal for help.
- Emergency blanket: Pack an emergency thermal blanket to retain body heat; handcarry or small Tent, handcarry or small sleeping bag (optionally, if available would be better)
- Cooking supplies: Consider a portable camping stove and fuel if you plan to cook.
- Special needs and comfortไธBe sure to tailor your kit to your family's unique needs, which may include:
- Babies and infants: Pack diapers, formula, bottles, and any other necessary baby supplies.
- Pets: Include a supply of pet food and water, as well as any medications and a carrier.
- Children: Add age-appropriate books, games, or puzzles to help with boredom and stress.
- Face masks: Include N95 or cloth face masks to help filter contaminated air.
- Check your house for weak areas that might not withstand strong winds or earthquakes. Store loose objects properly to prevent injuries.
- Know the Emergency Numbers & Ensure the Safety Emergency Exit in the house.
- Keep a list of emergency contact numbers — police, fire department, hospitals, and local disaster response teams.
- Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
- Check yourself and your family for injuries. Do not panic — focus on safety first.
- Avoid Hazards
- Stay away from damaged structures, fallen power lines, and flooded areas. Turn off gas and electricity if there’s a risk of fire or electrocution.
- Listen to Authorities
- Follow instructions from local officials and rescue teams. Only return home when it’s declared safe to do so.
- Check Your Home for Damage
- Before entering, inspect for cracks, leaks, or unstable structures. Report damages to local authorities.
- Take Care of Your Mental Health
- Disasters are emotionally stressful. Take time to rest, talk with loved ones, and seek community support if needed.
- Help Your Community
- Offer assistance to neighbors, especially the elderly and children. Small acts of kindness help communities recover faster.
After a Calamity: Safety and Recovery⤵️
- Stay Calm and Assess the Situation. Check yourself and your family for injuries. Do not panic — focus on safety first.
- Avoid Hazards. Stay away from damaged structures, fallen power lines, and flooded areas. Turn off gas and electricity if there’s a risk of fire or electrocution.
- Listen to Authorities. Follow instructions from local officials and rescue teams. Only return home when it’s declared safe to do so.
- Check Your Home for Damage. Before entering, inspect for cracks, leaks, or unstable structures. Report damages to local authorities.
- Take Care of Your Mental Health. Disasters are emotionally stressful. Take time to rest, talk with loved ones, and seek community support if needed.
- Help Your Community. Offer assistance to neighbors, especially the elderly and children. Small acts of kindness help communities recover faster.
Conclusion: Preparedness Saves Lives
No one can predict exactly when a calamity will happen, but we can reduce its impact through preparation and awareness. Always remember — it’s better to prepare early than to regret later. A ready home, a calm mind, and a united community can overcome any disaster.
Strength Beneath the Tremors
As someone born near the area, I feel deeply connected to the people of Davao Oriental who continue to face nature’s challenges with courage. The earthquake may have shaken our land, but it cannot shake our spirit. Let this event remind us that while the Earth moves, our compassion and preparedness must move faster.
We must care not only for our homes but for our neighbors, our environment, and our shared future. Every earthquake teaches us that the strength of a community is measured not by the tremors it endures, but by the way it stands together afterward.
Stay safe, stay prepared, always Pray and let’s keep our hearts strong — for Davao Oriental, and for the entire Philippines. ๐ต๐ญ๐ช
Thank you for reading! Stay safe, stay alert, and always be prepared. Don't forget to PRAY always. ๐๐ช GOD BLESS PHILIPPINES๐
