What's it like to be onstage during a strong earthquake

Last Oct. 10, at exactly 7:12 p.m., I was onstage hosting the 25th anniversary of Borromeo Insurance Agency at Casa Mayor in Davao City when the entire stage began to tremble.

- By STELLA ZAWISTOWSKI

WITH my co-host Rainier Secretaria before the 6.8 magnitude earthquake.

At first, I thought it was just my usual hosting energy — you know, the type that makes the room shake with laughter. But no, this time, the shaking was real. The lights above my head started swaying, the floor vibrated, and for a split second, I thought the chandeliers were about to do a TikTok dance routine. My heart pounded like a drumline, but the performer in me stayed on cue. I kept my voice calm and composed, guiding the audience to evacuate peacefully so no one would panic.