Survivors' Tale: 'Giving up was never an option'

For some survivors of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, giving up was never an option. Even after losing their homes, many still needed to find ways to earn and keep their families afloat.

- Jonnavie Villa, Staff Member

Traversing the stretch of northern Cebu, little signs of recovery are slowly taking shape. Bakeshops are selling bread again, gas stations are open, and parts of the public market are once more alive with vendors.

Though some stalls remain damaged, the sound of tricycles ferrying passengers and karenderyas offering warm meals signal that life, little by little, is finding its rhythm again.

In Bogo City, The Freeman spoke with several residents who have slowly returned to their livelihoods.

RESILIENCE AMIDST RUINS

One of them is Denz Ancajas, a virtual assistant who now works from a makeshift tent in Barangay Gairan.

With his home damaged by the quake, he has turned a small corner of their temporary shelter into his “office.”

Every day, Denz connects to the internet through a piso WiFi service just so he can continue his job.