Cebuano celebrities rally support after deadly earthquake

MANILA, Philippines, October 3 ------ Celebrities and public figures with Cebuano roots have rallied in solidarity following a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake that rocked Cebu and parts of the Visayas on Tuesday night. In the wake of the disaster, singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla was seen at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Wednesday distributing ready-to-eat food packs and monetary aid.

The provincial government acknowledged her gesture on its official Facebook page, saying, “The actress’s donations show solidarity with the Cebuano people during difficult times and hardships.” Sisters and actresses Vina Morales and Shaina Magdayao, both natives of Bogo City — the quake’s reported epicenter — expressed heartbreak over the devastation. “Lord, we lift up Cebu, especially my hometown, Bogo, in this difficult time. Protect and comfort everyone affected by the earthquake,” Morales wrote on Instagram, reposting images of damaged buildings. She followed up, "Cover them with Your protection and embrace them with Your love. Strengthen their hearts in this time of trial and grant them courage, resilience, and hope.” Magdayao also posted images of the destruction, captioning one with, “My dad’s hometown, Bogo,” along with crying and prayer emojis.

Sofia Andres shared she was in Cebu when the quake hit, but now is safe in Dumaguete. “Life really reminds us how fragile everything can be. Yesterday in Cebu, when the [6.9] magnitude earthquake struck, I was terrified, the panic, the rush of fear, and the thought that I was away from Manila, away from my family. That feeling of distance in moments like this is something I’ll never forget,” she wrote. “Been filming in Cebu when the earthquake struck yesterday. terrified, and the panic of being away from family hit me so hard (broken heart emoji). But today I'm in Dumaguete, supporting each other, working nonstop, building dreams together (praying emoji).  Life must go on, and I just keep praying for the best,” she added.

Meanwhile, contestants of the Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 pageant, who were in Cebu for a scheduled activity as the quake happened, joined in the relief efforts by repacking aid supplies at the Capitol grounds. Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados and Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez were also among the first to react on social media. "Watch out for aftershocks… Pag-amping intawn sa mga naa sa Cebu karon,” Gomez posted.

P-pop idol Aiah Arceta of girl group Bini, a Cebuana native, wrote via Instagram Stories," To my family, friends, and everyone who is in Cebu, I hope you are all safe!!!” She added, “I may not be in Cebu right now, but my heart goes out to the people who are affected.” Cebu-based actress Kaye Abad assured followers that her family was safe. "To my friends who are asking kung kamusta kami, we are ok. The kids and I are in Manila. My family in Cebu is ok,” she posted.

Actress Kim Chiu, who was filming a project during the tremor, managed to inject humor into her update, sharing a slightly blurred group selfie with the caption, "Medyo blurred lang, may aftershock pa ata tong phone ko sa lindol.” She has also reported buying construction materials to help rebuild homes for earthquake victims in Bogo City and San Remigio, Cebu.

Source: manilatimes.net