Earth's Fury

Amidst the current brouhaha in the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, we're reminded of our own helplessness in the face of nature's upheavals.

Last Monday, an earthquake registering 6.8 magnitude hit the Visayas region, its epicenter located somewhere between the islands of Negros and Cebu. More than a thousand aftershocks have already been felt, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

At first, I thought only a few people were affected, in terms of deaths, as initial reports had casualties less than 10. It was only the day after that I discovered the extent of the toll. The last count I read was more than a hundred either dead or missing, as landslides buried two towns in Negros Oriental.

The pictures of the damage are horrific, as the earthquake tore roads and bridges apart, a testament to the strength of the earth's fury.The Philippines is part of the so-called "Ring of Fire" in the Pacific Ocean, and is subject to volcanic and seismic activities.

What's heartening for me is that, once more, our countrymen have banded together to help those in need. Like those affected by the storms in Mindanao, people from across the country will once more dig into their pockets to donate whatever is needed by the victims of this newest tragic event.

I offer my own prayers to those affected by the recent tragedies, that they may have the strength and resilience to cope with and rise from this situation.