I was at the 14th floor lobby waiting for the elevator on my way to lunch when everything shook. At first I thought I was having a vertigo attack. I leaned to the wall trying to keep my balance. When I saw the door shake intensely and the printers moving, I knew then it was an eathquake. 5 seconds passed and the shaking still did not stop. I rushed to the door hoping to go back to my office and hide under my table. I twisted and pulled the knob but it did not open. It was like playing tug-o-war with the door. Yes, I was in panic. Not my shining moment (*diana grins shyly*). Only then did I realize that I have to badge in to open the door. Security sucks in times like this!

When I got inside, everyone was under their tables too. The shake finally stopped. We had an earthquake drill a few months ago and we were told to wait for an alarm and an announcement before we start moving. No alarm went off and the announcement did not come right after the shake finished. Being a Red Cross volunteer for 4 years, I know some basics of earthquakes. I know, at the least, that it takes only a few seconds after the shaking stops before a building could collapse. We had no time to spare. I remember myself saying, "Let's go! Let's go! Stairs!". I grabbed my bag and headed down the stairs.

The scenario was very different from the drills. The stairs was quiet as nobody dared to talk to each other. You only hear quick footsteps. People were running... not pushing... they were very disciplined. How I wished I was wearing something flat to work today. I was wearing my one-inch-heeled sandals. It was comfortable but it slowed me down. I was contemplating on taking it off and run bare-foot but chose not too. Instead, I made do with the adrenaline rush I had and walked briskly down the stairs. My left hand was black from the dirt it accumulated of holding the railing for dear life. I know I know... I tend to exaggerate things. You have to admit that you agree with me, though. It is better to be extra cautious than end up with regret.

It's amazing how many sets of stairs I need to pass to reach the ground. I was thinking of Japan and prayed nothing terrible would happen today. I was trying to call but my iPhone prompted for my passcode... yes, the long complicated passcode that the company requires us to have as part of the mobile VPN access deal. Did I just say, security sucks? Security sucks BIG time! 

When I reached the evacuation area, I saw that there were people from the other buildings who evacuated too. Honestly, I was SO relieved! I made a quick check of my teams. Glad everyone made it without harm. I also shouted "present!" to the 14f-in-charge of accounting everyone in. Only then was I able to send SMSes and tweets. Too bad Phivolcs does not have a twitter account. I found out in tweet news that the shake was recorded 6.9 in the Richter scale, hit several other provinces in Visayas and Mindanao area, and lasted for 30 seconds! Cebu was in Level 2 Tsunami alert too. No evacuation was advised.

Lunch was particularly challenging. We had to look for a 1-storey restaurant where we can just run outside when an aftershock comes. We ate at The Gallery. I decided to call the rest of the day off. I drove back to the office, got my laptop, and talked to my teams. If they need to call the day off too, I understand.

Below the building, the situation was unusually chaotic. Check the video below to see how chaotic I meant.

Apparently someone spread a sick joke that says water has risen at Hippodromo area. Another sick joke that water reached Capitol and Downtown area. Everyone believed it. People feared tsunami. Traffic was heavy. Everyone beeping their horns wanting to pass through. Gasoline stations were full. Women were crying. There was this poor family that I saw -- the father was carrying his 3 children and his eldest child was carrying his youngest sibling on his back. They were running bare-foot. Another family probably had his whole clan in his Innova that it is not possible for the doors to close. All roads lead to Busay. I was really scared and wondered if I too should evacuate my family. I called home and my sister assured me not to panic. We'll be okay.

It's past 10pm now and I am still shaken up. The last aftershock I felt was around 6:30. My whole body is aching from my stairs marathon. I could not wait to close my eyes and sleep. 

My head got bumped to how real the end could be. It is inevitable. We do not know when and what circumstance it will come. If my world should end today, I want you to know that I am grateful for knowing a wonderful person such as you and grateful for making me a part of you too.

If we should wake up to a brand new day tomorrow, don't wait for another disaster such as this to strike. Tell everyone significant to you that you love them. Show them you care. Equally important to that, live your life! Live like there's no tomorrow!

Halong! Amping! Take care!

Good night.