October 15, 2025

Help bring hot food to Cebuanos and Davaoeños affected by earthquakes

Earthquake Oct 2025 ARMMK Art Relief - filipeanut web

Earthquakes have shaken communities throughout the Philippines this October. As communities and local governments rally to repair and recoup, hot nutritious meals are now getting to communities affected in Cebu and Davao thanks to volunteers at Art Relief Mobile Kitchen from Bacolod and Davao.

Northern Cebu was hit with a magnitude 6.9 earthquake at the end of September, killing more than 70 people. Two weeks later into October “twin quakes” hit Davao, the first at magnitude 7.4 and then again seven hours later at 6.8. Part of the growing volunteer response, Art Relief Mobile Kitchen founded by artists Precious Leano and Alex Baluyut are now serving hot meals as a temporary reprieve for those affected.

Coincidentally, October 15 marks 12 years after the Bohol earthquake in 2013 where an estimated 200 people died, and historic landmarks were destroyed. Earthquakes are inevitable since the country sits on the “ring of fire,” a ring of volcanoes due to plate tectonics or moving layers of the Earth’s crust. But in the midst of corruption issues, the will to build stronger hazard protections is up to leaders who can set aside selfish motives for the greater good.

I couldn’t help but reminisce on how it was like for my family in Bohol. I wasn’t there during the quake and thankfully they were safe, but I visited soon after and took some photos.

Bohol earthquake 2013 - Baclayon church belfry damage — Baclayon church was one of the heritage churches damaged during the earthquake in Bohol. The church structure itself is almost 300 years old now.

Bohol earthquake 2013 - Exposed coral in limestone bricks of Baclayon church — A closer inspection of older damaged churches in Bohol revealed the original construction of the buildings – limestone with remnants of the marine life that once surrounded Bohol possibly millions of years ago. Another way to say how “ancient” many Philippine churches really are.

Bohol earthquake 2013 - volunteer efforts in Tagbilaran, Bohol — Volunteer efforts in Bohol, which are not too dissimilar to what is happening in Cebu, Davao, and other places affected by recent earthquakes this past October.

For now, support ARMK by being a volunteer or donating to help nourish those rebuilding from today’s and tomorrow’s tremors. And call on the government to put people first.

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