6.9 magnitude quake hit Visayas, Philippines

Around 11:49 am today, I experienced the strongest quake so far in my life. I got up of my chair to get my netbook's charger from my other table when one of my colleagues shouted "GALINOG!" ("There's a quake!") . And i stood still and felt my body swaying. And that was when another colleague shouted we get down and out the building (our faculty room was on the second floor of the school). And everyone else ran outside into the parking lot, teachers and students alike. Although there are really some who panicked and shouted, but still I commend everyone earlier for having the right judgment of running out to an open area during time like this. Minutes later, we got news that it was a magnitude 6.9 quake that hit us and soon there was a Tsunami Alert Level 2 placed. 

Eventually, classes in all schools here in Negros was cancelled. But still many are terrified over the aftershocks that will come. As of 2:06pm the  Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismoligy (PHIVOLCS) relaesed there have been 42 aftershocks recorded. And at 2:30 pm they have lifted the tsunami alert. At present, we are still on alert over what may happen next and everyone is still praying for protection and safety. 

Let me share some pictures I got over the net that people took after the quake. 

Gaisano San Carlos City, Negros Occidental

People in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental rushing and panicking to evacuate

People in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental panicking to go to higher grounds with the scare of a possible tsunami.

As of 4:38 pm, the NDRRMC reported a total of 7 deaths after the quake. All from Negros Oriental: 4 from Guihulngan, 2 from Tayasan and 1 from Jimalalud. 

Please include us in your prayers that we may be spared from more damages and aftershocks.

You can also join us who have started this prayer brigade:

We praise You, O Father, for holding us always in Your hands. Spare us, O God, from strong earthquakes and tsunami. Keep us safe in Your loving arms, shield us from evil and destruction. In Your hands, we surrender our all. Through Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, with Mama Mary's intercession. Amen. (Let us start a prayer brigade)...