Cebu Earthquake

On Tuesday 30 September, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck near Cebu, in the central Philippines, not far from our schools. Some school buildings suffered damage but all the children, staff, and Sisters were safely evacuated.

The earthquake struck at 10:30 local time, just half an hour after bedtime for the children. Communities in the northern part of the island near Bogo were most heavily affected, and the death toll has risen to 72 people, with hundreds more injured. There were thousands of smaller aftershocks, shaking already devastated communities. Since then, on Friday 10 October, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the south eastern part of the Philippines, and another 6 magnitude earthquake near Cebu at 1 am on Monday 13 October 2025.

We have been so touched by the swift response from our supporters to help fund the repairs to school buildings in Talisay Girlstown. Initial engineering surveys showed the buildings as structurally sound but there is significant and widespread damage to internal walls, ceilings and floors in two teaching buildings which is currently preventing the use of vital workshops and classrooms whilst repairs are carried out.  It is a priority to get this work complete so that the lessons, and more importantly, the National Certificate exams can be conducted.