When the Earth Shook, Kindness Moved: Stories From the North Cebu Earthquake 2025

When the North Cebu earthquake struck on the night of September 30, 2025, it changed thousands of lives in an instant. Buildings fell, homes cracked open, and entire communities were shaken awake not only by the tremors but by the realization that life can shift so quickly.

In the week that followed, more than 8,000 aftershocks were recorded. Power lines were down, roads split, and familiar landmarks (schools, churches, restaurants) were left in ruins.

Yet amid the chaos, one thing stood firm: the Cebuano spirit of kindness.

My husband was among those who traveled north just two days after the earthquake. He rode his motorcycle from Mactan to Daanbantayan to check on our family’s small lodging, Arriyus Apartelle, and to help his father who manages it.

Along the way, he passed through Bogo City and San Remigio, two of the hardest-hit towns. Many buildings were damaged, and roads had cracks running across them. Hagnaya Port, one of Cebu’s busiest gateways to Bantayan Island, was partly underwater. Some families were camped out by the roadside, too afraid to sleep indoors.

But what stood out most wasn’t just the damage, it was the kindness on display everywhere he went.

All along the Transcentral Highway and in small towns leading to San Remigio, people were setting up tables and makeshift stalls.

They weren’t selling anything. They were giving things away.

He saw groups of young people holding bright yellow signs that read: “Free Popcorn and Gulaman.” Others were handing out bottles of buko juice to volunteers and drivers bringing relief goods to the north.

I smiled when he sent me photos. There it was - a cup of popcorn and a bottle of drink, given by total strangers who had probably lost as much as anyone else.

That’s what struck me most about this earthquake: how quickly people moved to help one another, even when they themselves were recovering.

In several towns, handwritten signs hung along fences and power poles. Most were simple, made of tarpaulin or cardboard, but their messages carried so much warmth.

“Salamat sa pagtabang sa norte.”
(Thank you for helping the north.)

“Amping sa byahe.”
(Take care on the road.)

“Daghang salamat, God bless you all!”
(Thank you so much, and may God bless you all!)

Each sign was a thank-you note from the people of the north to those who had come to help. It didn’t matter if the relief came from government groups, private donors, or small families sending what little they had -- everyone’s effort was seen and appreciated.

I imagined the people who wrote those words: perhaps tired from cleaning debris, yet still finding the time and heart to say thank you. That’s Cebuano resilience in its purest form.

In Maya, Daanbantayan, our apartelle became a small part of the relief effort too. A volunteer group asked if they could use our property as a temporary base for their distribution drive. They planned to give aid to residents behind our property, but parking was limited there, so we offered our space.

It was a simple gesture, but it turned into something beautiful. Cars arrived, locals gathered, and soon, the entire backyard was filled with people - some volunteers unloading supplies, others lining up patiently under the sun.

Even though the event was quick, it left a mark. Watching the video (which my husband accidentally filmed in hyperlapse mode!), I could still feel the energy: laughter, gratitude, and relief all blending together.

Here are screenshots from the video:

Cebuanos have a saying: “Ang kalisod, muagi ra. Ang kalooy, magpabilin.”
(Difficulties will pass, but compassion will remain.)

I think that perfectly describes what happened after the North Cebu Earthquake 2025.

We’ve seen it before - during Typhoon Odette in 2021, when the south was hit hard and the north sent help without hesitation. This time, the roles were reversed. Families from the south are now returning that kindness, filling trucks with water, rice, and relief packs, driving hours just to lend a hand.

It’s not about who gives more. It’s about the shared understanding that someday, the roles could switch again - and we’ll still be there for each other.

There’s still a long road ahead for the people of North Cebu. Rebuilding homes will take time, and the psychological toll of constant aftershocks is something no one can measure. But one thing’s for sure: the heart of Cebu remains unshaken.

From free snacks handed out to strangers, to handwritten thank-you signs along the road, to volunteers traveling hours just to distribute food, every act of kindness proves that compassion travels faster than any calamity.

If you’re reading this from afar and wondering how to help, many organizations are still collecting donations for rebuilding efforts in Bogo, San Remigio, and neighboring towns. Even the smallest contribution - a few pesos, a bag of rice, or simply sharing verified information - makes a difference.

Because when the earth shook, kindness moved. And it continues to move, one helping hand at a time.