Living Through the 6.9 Earthquake in Cebu City – Our Highrise Experience

On the night of September 30, 2025 at 9:59 PM, Cebu experienced a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake with the epicenter near Bogo, Cebu. We were inside our highrise condo in Cebu City, on the 29th floor, when the shaking began.

The Moment It Happened

At first, we felt a slight movement, but within seconds, the building began to sway and we heard booms and crashes from above and below. The power suddenly went out, and then the generator switched on. At that moment, we knew we had to get out.

Running Down 29 Floors

We joined dozens of residents rushing to the stairwell. Going down 29 flights of stairs during an earthquake is something we’ll never forget. People were nervous but calm, holding on to each other and trying to stay steady while the building moved.

Evacuating Into the Rain

Once outside, the entire condo community gathered together in the open space. Just when we thought it couldn’t get worse, the rain began to pour down. Everyone was tired, worried, and waiting for updates.

Engineers Inspect the Building

The condo management informed us that engineers were checking the structure and individual floors before anyone could return inside. We waited for hours outside in the rain, until around 2:00 AM, when we were finally allowed to go back to our unit.

A Scary Night in Cebu

This was by far one of the scariest experiences we’ve had living in a highrise in the Philippines. It’s one thing to hear about earthquakes, but to actually live through one on the 29th floor is something entirely different.

🙏 Prayer: Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the Cebu earthquake. Lord, please protect and comfort all those impacted. May strength, safety, and healing surround the people of Cebu and the Philippines.