Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstars '25 bets gear up for nat'l, int'l pageants

Yesha Mae Monsanto, second runner-up of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstar-Teen Category, was doing her assignment at home when she felt the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30. She immediately thought of her parents.

- By JANUAR JUNIOR AGUJA

"They were sleeping on the second floor when the earthquake happened. I shouted to wake them up," the 17-year-old candidate said during an October 4 press conference at Café Moni.

Grand winner of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk-Kids Category, Kiana Michaili Bacaltos, had to be awakened by her grandmother while she was sleeping. "I was relaxed when we were evacuating, but deep inside, my heart was beating so fast," she recalled.

In what was the strongest earthquake recorded in Cebu and the deadliest in the country since the 2013 Bohol quake, the tremors damaged the northern parts of the province, including Bogo City, which was the epicenter. Waves of relief goods and donations were delivered, with some of the candidates participating in the efforts.

"I prayed for the victims, then I sent donations, including food and water," said 11-year-old Eiyannah Khryss Yap, second runner-up in the Kids Category. "Even small ways of compassion can make a difference."

"I was looking for donation campaigns because I was willing to volunteer. I want to help in small ways whenever I can," added 14-year-old Shamzy Jopia, winner in the Preteen Category.

For Monsanto, who also volunteered in packing relief goods, the earthquake served as a reminder that resilience remains an important trait amid sudden crises.