By Helen Castaño | 02:45 PM October 15, 2021
Bohol paused on Sunday to remember the devastating magnitude-7.2 earthquake that hit the island 10 years ago.
There was a simultaneous ringing of the church bells in the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
At 8:12 a.m., bells in Bohol’s churches rang to mark the anniversary of the deadly quake that devastated the province.
According to Bishop Abet Uy, it was a symbolic ringing of the church bells for 30 seconds in commemoration of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that tested the faith and resilience of the Boholanos.
Unlike the past commemorations, only the pealing of the bells was transpired for 33 seconds at that time to mark the tragedy.
A Mass was held at the St. Joseph Cathedral Shrine officiated by Tagbilaran Bishop Uy.
In his homily, he said God reminds his people of his presence.
“Pagkadakong disgrasya. Pero hinayhinay nga paglabay sa mga adlaw, mga bulan, katuigan, nabati nato wala ta biyai sa Ginoo. Nabati nato wala ta pasagdi sa Ginoo. Ang Ginoo nagkig-uban nato sa atong kalisdaan ug sa atong mga kasakitan,” he said.Â
The quake not only damaged houses, roads and government infrastructure but turned centuries-old churches to rubbles.
“Minglabay ang napulo ka katuig, hinayhinay kabarug balik ang atong mga simbahan. Wala lang nabalik, kundili nabalik pag-ayo. Sakto gyud ang giingon sa Salmo ‘Ang Ginoo maoy akong maayong magbalantay walay nay magkulang pa kanako’,” he said.
The aftermath of the quake was horrendous and widespread. It killed at least 222 people, while 976 were injured and eight reported missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
At least 300,000 were displaced.
Miracles of God the Father
Sister Precy Aseneta-Macasaet, a missionary, visionary and divine healer, attended the memorial mass. She was in Bohol when the quake occured.
Sister Precy and her group of God the Father of All Mankind held a fiesta celebration of Birhen sa Barangay at the cathedral shrine. They distributed 200 food packs to candle vendors. They also held a novena and a procession on Sunday afternoon.
“Bisan pa daghang mga building, mga simbahan nahugno pinaagi sa linog ug daghnag nangamatay, ang panaghiusang panag-ampo sa mga Bol-anon nagpadayun mao ang milagro sa Diyos Amahan naa diri karun sa Bohol,” said Sister Precy.
