By BENEDICT BALLUG
Today is the annual remembrance of July 16 1990, 7.9 magnitude earthquake . . .
WHEN NATURE SHOOK and DEVASTATED BAGUIO CITY AND ITS ENVIRONS. It was 25 years ago today and it was as personal to us all here because we were there, and all our family members too.
My son Pherst Destin Ballug was just 4 yrs old, but still he knew the tragedy because he was a victim too as no one was spared.
At around 4:15 pm the earth beneath started to shake and rumble deep from the earth, and the earth moved sideways and up until it continued on for like an hour, before the aftershocks began.
Our human spirit flew away with the trembling air and left us cradled within tons of fear and deathly scare.
For death came swiftly to many in and about the city, a totally devastated city, where buildings and roads were in total collapse and disarray.
Yet the worst was still to come when the number of dead came trickling in among us the living, and heartrending, mournful shrieks can be heard all throughout the ruined city.
Even the whereabouts of family and friends trickled ever so slowly as rescuers toiled day and night thru the rubble and debris, fighting against time, and hoping against hope that some people were still alive amidst the vast ruins, and only to find nothing but dead bodies.
The cries and wails of brokenness can be heard thru out the evening and night until the next days.
And miracles were made and witnessed among those who were rescued alive!
TODAY IS BEFORE THE VERY HOUR OF THE EARTHQUAKE. . WE KNEEL ALTOGETHER IN PRAYER.
