Where were you when the ground shook?

“I was in my boarding house eating dinner when the earthquake occurred. I searched the Net for information on earthquake safety tips. I was worried because  my family is in Catarman, Northern Samar.”  — Johnry Morales, USC Law student, Cebu City

“I was at home with my pregnant wife. We went outside the house right away.” — Dhan-dhan Gonzales, 28, key account specialist of Johnsons and Johnsons.

“I was in our room  with my cousin and sister when I noticed that the mirror was moving. We went outside the room. ” — Christine Madanguit, 24, key account specialist of Johnsons and Johnsons.

“I was on a ship  on my way home to Leyte when the earthquake happened. My friends were sending text messages about it.  I was  afraid a tsunami would occur while  I’m in the middle of the sea.” — Angelie Equipilag, USC Accountancy Student.

“When I got  home, my siblings were still panicking while describing what happened. It was intense.

My parents in Sulat , Eastern Samar  had to evacuate. They went home only this morning.” — Christy Ann Balita, editorial assistant of 8 Magazine in Tacloban City.

“I was at Balangiga, Eastern Samar.  I was lying on the sofa in our living room. I immediately got up when I felt the shaking then grabbed my brother’s hand until the shaking stopped. Our father told us to stay where we are and not to  panic. Even though there was a tsunami  alert,  we didn’t evacuate. We live   four blocks away from the sea. Those who live along the seashore were forced to evacuate. Some went to the municipal hall, some went to the mountains.” — Jessa Amarille, Instructor, Division of Humanities, UP Visayas  Tacloban College.

In Catubig, Northern Samar, the people were very afraid because they saw little cracks along the roads.  People went outside their houses during the earthquake.” — Jane Carla Gallano, 24, resident of Catubig, Northern Samar.

“We were watching ‘Walang Hanggan’ when the quake happened. My daughter cried instead of following my instructions. My wife and I trained our children for these emergencies. They’re afraid of  calamities after reading about them in the Book of Revelation.

I told them that today’s calamities are part of those signs.” — Medi Baculpo, 38, fuel controller of SuperCat. /Correspondents Joy Cherry Quito and Tweeny M. Malinao