6.1

6.1 April 22, 2019 | 5:15PM I was rejuvenated. I was able to fulfill my yearly tradition of Visita Iglesia because of the Holy Week break. I went to church before heading to work because I finally got the result of my medschool admission and it was successful. I gave praise and thanks to Him because it was not possible if not because of the main guy up there. Arrived at work and everything was busy and pleasant at the same time. The day appeared to be the usual not until 5:15PM. I clock out at 5:30PM that is why I use my afternoon break at 5:15PM, so that I have time to chat with the people around and clean up. I was about to click on short break when I suddenly felt my chair move. It was unusual and at that very moment I knew it was an earthquake. I mumbled “guys lumilindol” for all I know I was whispering but one of my office mates heard me and that was when he realised it was really shaking. Everyone was in shock. At first it was just a horizontal shake. I was still calm but when it shook up and down my body froze. It was my first time to experience it inside a building. We were at the 9th floor. I felt every shake and movement. It was the longest 20-25 seconds of my life. At that very moment when I saw the lights flicker I accepted my fate. I accepted the possibility that it could be the last that I would see them all. A lot was going through my mind. How is my family back at home? Are they safe? Am I still be able to be in medschool after this? When would the shaking stop? I froze on my seat. I grabbed my coin purse where I have my Thomasian Mission Cross together with my St. Benedict Medallion. I uttered quietly “Lord, keep us always safe and under your protection”. After the earthquake and we were able to evacuate from the building I was still trembling. Knees were jelly. Everyone was safe. A normal day to a 6.1 earthquake. The Makati Central Business district looked like a scene from a zombie apocalypse movie. Everyone was outside, Trying to get a ride home and so concerned with their loved ones. Everything could change so fast. A lot could happen before our very eyes. And with a snap of a finger it could be our last to see the light. This only proves that we must always laugh, love, live and pray like it is our last. No one is really prepared, let us be honest. We can never be prepared to face him. All we need to do is to be humble enough to ask for his forgiveness and thank him whenever we can. To be afraid in times like this is very human, very normal. We still have aspirations to accomplish. We have dreams to chase. That is why we are afraid to leave this life. How we react in times of crisis unfolds a lot about our personality. Did you think of your things? Or you immediately checked on your family? Did you stop and pray or started wailing around in panic? Our reaction would be an excellent gauge of where are we in life and what we value. So at 5:25PM we were all outside the building. Safe and even laughing with our workmates. From a normal day to a near death/ eyeopening moment to another usual goofy us. It is but a wonder this life could be. This instance made the statement “Live life to the fullest” so significant. How about you? Where are you at that very moment? How did you react?