Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima after the 6.3 magnitude quake.-Diocese photo
DAVAO CITY (October 1) — A 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck off the eastern coast of northern Cebu on Tuesday morning left communities in shock, heritage structures damaged, and residents calling for urgent prayers and support.
Among the hardest-hit areas were the municipalities of Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, and the City of Bogo, where the tremor caused widespread damage to homes and public infrastructure.
Heritage Church Partially Collapsed
In Daanbantayan, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Rosa de Lima—a recognized heritage landmark and one of Cebu’s most preserved Spanish-era churches—suffered a partial collapse, particularly in its façade area.
Despite the destruction, local parish officials confirmed that the Blessed Sacrament and the revered retablo image of Sta. Rosa de Lima remained unscathed, a development that parishioners described as a “miracle amid tragedy.”
The shrine, built in honor of Sta. Rosa de Lima, holds deep cultural and religious significance for the northern Cebuano faithful. Its preservation had been carefully maintained over decades, making the earthquake’s impact a painful loss for both heritage advocates and the Catholic community.
State of Calamity Declared
Authorities have placed Daanbantayan under a state of calamity as response teams assess the full extent of the destruction. Residents in Medellin, Bogo City, and San Remigio also reported significant structural damages, though no immediate casualties were confirmed as of press time.
Local government units, in coordination with the Archdiocese of Cebu and disaster response agencies, are working to provide relief to displaced families and conduct inspections of damaged infrastructure.
Church Calls for Prayers
The Archdiocese of Cebu issued an appeal to Catholics nationwide to pray for the affected communities, “We humbly implore everyone in the entire Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu and the rest of the Philippines to please pray for all of us in Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bogo City, and San Remigio,” church leaders said in a statement.
Cebu sits within the seismically active Philippine Fault Zone, making it vulnerable to earthquakes of this magnitude. Heritage structures, many built of coral stone and lime mortar, are particularly susceptible to seismic activity.
Cultural heritage experts have raised concerns about the urgent need to assess and reinforce historic churches across the Visayas, following similar incidents in Bohol (2013) and Cebu (2021).
For residents of northern Cebu, however, the focus remains on immediate recovery. As one parishioner put it: “We lost part of our church, but our faith remains whole.”
Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks while mobilizing assistance for affected families and structures.
Governor Pamela Buricuatro in a message urged her constituents to stay vigilant while reported that the provincial government has deployed disaster and relief groups to help the affected residents.
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.
