September 30, 2025 when our world shook to the ground it was one of the most unpredictable experienced of our lives. Around 10 pm in the evening when it happened we were on our hours of calling moments as a BPO employee where it all begun to feel uneasy and eerie. It felt like time stop for a quick second and then we felt the whole building we were in shook like crazy. Only then to realize it was an earthquake of estimated 4 to 6 magnitude said our national earthquake watchers.
Sorry for the low quality of the photo taken during our emergency escape protocol when the earthquake happened it was so terrifying we where there at the fourth floor of our workplace when it happened. Nearly half a thousand employees of three different BPO industry's manage to calmly go down safe from the building luckily whoever engineer and made the building kept us safe from the shaking and who knows what to come at that night. I salute the staff for not letting us panic into danger. What ever we felt and experienced that night will never change the fact that somewhere in Cebu Philippines took a big hit since the epicenter there was estimated for about a magnitude of 6.9 and I pray for the people and families who lived there.
This was taken two hours before our shift started the day after the earthquake. It was expected at this time that the office must be already packed with employees and yet due to the experienced of what most people got some did not quite have the courage to work at that moment.
Out of all the the chaos we all still needed to remember our Lord Jesus Christ, early morning after the said events I see few people praying for their safety and protection in our local Cathedral. I too manage to get inside and pray. It was a very calm moment for me after all those thing I experienced that night.
These photos where taken after I finish praying and as you can see our city will held a festival called "MASSKARA FESTIVAL", where it famously known for it unique traditional and fun vibes.
What is MASSKARA FESTIVAL?
Disclaimer photo was taken by a photographer of Guide to the Philippines and I do not intend to promote any contents of the said festival.
For over 30 years, the MassKara Festival has transformed Bacolod City’s streets into a dazzling display of creativity and culture, offering a unique opportunity to experience the city's warm and festive spirit. Translating to “many faces,” the festival’s iconic smiling masks symbolize resilience and positivity, earning Bacolod City its famous nickname. Taking place every October, the festival invites everyone to celebrate life, dance, and indulge in the city’s infectious cheer, reminiscent of Brazil’s Rio Carnival. MassKara Festival was created in the 1980s during a time of crisis, turning a period of hardship into a vibrant celebration of hope, earning Bacolod its nickname, the "City of Smiles."
Source: guidetothephilippines.ph
Amidst the bad experience I learned how people in Bacolod city manage to survive tragedies and it's not because of celebrations or festivals but with love and there comes smiling. You see not only in Bacolod experience such hardships all people around the world do. That's why everytime we celebrate Masskara Festival we can see people being happy and enjoy the highlights.
Hoping you enjoyed reading my vlog next time I will show you the highlights of our festival. Stay safe folks and be happy see you next time little giant out!
