Two seemingly unrelated topics came into my consciousness one rainy Friday evening.
at 8:19pm, thunderstorms bringing light 2 mod rains are affecting bohol, butuan & Surigao that will persist til midnight.
— PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa) August 31, 2012
Suffice it to say, it was really raining hard. I was ready to call it a night by taking my nightly shower. Then, I experienced a scary-funny moment. This Googley Gooeys’ illustration may have slightly expressed what I felt that moment.
I wish it was only a phone call. No, it wasn’t. I was in my birthday suit ready to shower when I felt the EARTHQUAKE! I hurriedly scampered to find my clothes. My thought process at that moment was, “Whatever happens I want my clothes on!” While heavy shaking was happening, the power went out and I was not yet done putting my clothes on. I could hear my aunt calling my name while I struggled into my clothes in the dark. When the shaking stopped, we checked the house and the damage was only a broken wine glass and figurine. Thank you, God.
This is the report from USGS website. I marked where I was by a purple star. So close.
There was a tsunami warning but we were not asked to evacuate because (as you can see) we do not live near the Pacific coastline. Still, it was a scary experience. It was the strongest earthquake I have experienced so far.
As we were huddled together in my aunt’s living room, somebody was calling us outside. My uncle’s friend was looking for him. He was driving in the rain when the earthquake struck. Oh my, that was scarier than not having clothes on during an earthquake (HA!). I don’t think that driving during an earthquake is part of the driving lessons when applying for a driver’s license. Most earthquake preparedness kits tell you to stop the car when there is a earthquake while on the road. I wondered what my uncle’s friend did. I never asked.
Earlier in the day, I read a friend’s status update on Facebook about how efficient her driver’s license renewal was. I don’t drive so I do not own one but my father did and I have seen some markings. In his license, it indicated “NON-PROFESSIONAL”. Apparently, if you drive for a living, you should get a “PROFESSIONAL” driver’s license. At the back of the license, the type of vehicle you are allowed to drive is also indicated.
Driving is a skill. And it occurred to me to Google how vehicles get transported. There is a service in the United States called auto transport. Cars, as many as 8 vehicles, are hauled across the US at the back of very large truck in two levels like a two-decker bus. This is proof that driving is indeed a skill. Driving a truck that is like a huge car shipping machine is a challenge. Road safety is the primary concern. Plus, driving also requires strength to maneuver a huge truck.
I guess there are people with innate skills in driving, strong muscles to steer a very large vehicle and stamina to withstand long drives. Driving is not one of my skills. I am a backseat driver who commands whoever is on the wheel, usually my cousin. I could not wait to get off a vehicle primarily because I have motion sickness.
And this would be me if I am stuck in Metro Manila traffic. 
Wow… I didn’t know the difference in a “professional” and “non-professional” license either! Yikes – and what a way to experience an earthquake!
OMG, 2hrs traffic is totally insane, hahaha!!! Visiting from CE Sept4.
The earthquake literally rocked the whole nation, huh? It was very strong too here in Cebu. Let’s all be safe
Double panic attack yan sis…earthquake and the prospect of running to safety with nothing on. You’ll recover from the shock but from embarrassment, probably a longer time hehe. Good thing you’re safe.
it’s my scariest night ever.. i was shaking and had an asthma attack an hour after the earthquake.. thanks God we all all safe and so as your family..
Thank God your safe, too! That asthma attack is quite scary. Take care, Rosemarie!
We also felt the earthquake here in Panglao but not the strong unlike the earthquake earlier this year.
Glad you are all safe.
oh, you experienced a stronger earthquake? ingat, mylene. btw, i’ll be forever inggit where you live.
Oh, you were also affected! Glad to know that all in your family were safe and only those a figurine and a wine glass got broken. It was a strong one though… I still remembered when Pinatubo erupted and the tremors we felt in Manila. Take care!
I didn’t feel the earthquake, but that sure was scary. In fact, the non-stop earthquakes nowadays are somehow freaking me out.
I am less freaked out now that I work from home. House is a bungalow. I used to work in the 3rd floor of a tall bldg.
thank god your all safe. we haven’t felt the earthquake here. stay safe!
Thanks, Jenifer!
2hr of traffic jam is a real killer.. hope it doesn’t happen often for you.
That is why I love living here in the province. Traffic jam of 10 mins is already long.
ang awkward moment nga ng nangyari sayo, but I’m glad na wine glass at figurine lang ang damaged sa inyo.
You might wanna join my birthday/blog anniversary giveaway: http://beforeiturn25.blogspot.com/2012/09/drinks-are-on-me.html
I’ll check out your blog.
Hah, having clothes on is definitely an important concern that would also come to my mind if I feel an earthquake while bathing. I remember, while experiencing turbulence on board an airplane, I thought about how I wouldn’t want to be caught with my pants down inside the lavatory. hehe
I love driving, I don’t mind driving around for hours or shuttling people. As long as I’m not sleepy and the airconditioning works well.
thank goodness you’re safe… and i agree to what you said about having your clothes on during inevitable disasters! at least! lol
i could just imagine your panic during the earth quake. i think that’s the most uncompromising moments i don’t want to experience. good to know you and yoru family is okay.
Glad to know everyone is safe there. Earthquakes are really scary. I remember the experiencing a high intensity earthquake back in the 90s. We were in school then and I even ran back to get the ballpen that I dropped. Silly me! Anyway, better get yourself a bathrobe in case you’d need to get out of the shower fast. Praying though that you won’t be needing it for emergencies at all.
I’ve conditioned myself not to turn back to get “material things” in case of emergencies. Well, except for clothes on during earthquakes and other emergency situations- I must have clothes on.
Good to know you are all safe. And good thing “panic” didn’t let you run out of the room with nothing on, hahahaha! Stay safe Sis!
Oh, my! That is one scary thought! LOL!
Nice to know you guys are sound and safe after that earthquake. Pretty scary.
scary earthquake! if i am in your place, i dont know what to do first.. hehe
Any earthquake or news about earthquakes scare me. Probably because I live in a high rise building. I really should move out. Buti na lang walang Tsunami.
I was watching a play at SM when it happened. That was a long and strong quake that’s why I felt so scared at that time.
I’m from Manila and I felt it all the way here. I thought I was just dizzy then I checked my twitter timeline if it happened to others too. We’re getting some scary storms and earthquakes lately
I’m glad it didn’t do any damage to your place.
earthquake is always alarming and scary…. keep safe and pray all the time… we do not know what will happen next..
mine is still a student driver license.. i think i CAN drive IF the road is wide, no bumper to bumper traffic, no pedestrian *i dont know where would that be in the jungle of manila! Hehe and oh it must be at day NOT at night, because my head hurts on the flashing lights of the vehicles on the other side and i feel i wanna vomit!
I can imagine how difficult that was to feel the earthquake in the bathroom! Thank God, nothing serious happened.
Wow, you were really in a difficult situation when the earthquake strikes. Luky that you were not forced to go out naked. Glad to hear you’re safe.
I can’t stand 2 hour traffic either. waah! =)
thank goodness that your family is safe…
that quake in mindanao and cebu was really alarming
I haven’t experienced 2-hours traffic in manila. 15minutes traffic lang inis na ako yun pa kayang 2 hours. hehehe..I really hate driving in manila especially during rush hours which really take you hours before reaching your destination. haaay, kailan kaya maaayos ang traffic sa manila?
-daddy allan (visit from BCB)