Then all of a sudden there was shaking.  I thought it was the kids hitting the fence with a ball until the old woman beside me shouted "Linog!" ("Earthquake!").  People went hysterical. I saw houses moving, a Southern Star bus about to block the road, people going out of their houses.  I was there sitting under the waiting shed after I checked if it was safe --- no electric cords above or anything that might fall under me --- and stayed calm.  I was trying to stay cool.  The entire Bohol was not.

I thought it was just that, an earthquake. Nothing serious happened.  After all, I was, together with my family and the rest of the neighborhood in a more elevated area in the barangay.  There was a tsunami scare and everyone, instantaneously went uphill when it was said that the sea receded.  We stayed there until the next sunrise.  I hoped that all things were fine.  Until I saw on television everything that happened.

Two or three days after the earthquake (I'm not even sure myself), I participated in some relief efforts.  In one of my adventures, I saw the damages.  We were heading towards one barangay in Sagbayan and along the way, the sights made my heart broken.  In the face of people was despair.  Relief efforts felt like The Hunger Games.  They need to survive.  

But the best thing about the entire tragedy is how we Boholanos were able to showcase our strength and resilience.  We were one small island province united in order to help one another.  We chipped in what we can offer --- manpower, finance, creativity, transportation.  We helped one another to rise from the crumbles left by the earthquake.  

Every help we received was always returned by a thank you, from simple words of gratitude, to the sweet smile of relief and hope, to forming all relief goods to spell a thank you to thank those who are dropping the food packs from a helicopter. 

And when Tacloban was ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda, we, despite being in a midst of a tragedy as well, took part in helping our neighbors.  We donated clothes, food, and money, even if we also need them. 

The world saw Bohol's structures fall down, especially our churches that have withstood time.  But despite these, the Boholano spirit was never dampen.  It shined brighter than any star in the universe.  The world saw that Bohol was not just a place filled with beautiful landscapes but also a place inhabited by many beautiful, strong, resilient people whose faith, generosity, and warmth will never be shaken.

Today we commemorate the year that it has been.  We commemorate our loss.  We remember the lives that were taken by the quake and all the properties it destroyed, including the churches that we have taken pride for its important role in our history and heritage.  But today, at least for me, is not just a mere commemoration.  It is a celebration.  I wish to celebrate the beauty of my fellow Boholano people and our triumph in conquering the difficulties left by the earthquake.  We celebrate the kindness extended to us by different people and institutions. We celebrate life, itself.

The rain is pouring heavily today.  And I know, despite the rain, the Oktubre Kinse activities will push through. 

No amount of rainfall can dampen our spirits!