As the final hours of 2025 tick away, the people of Cebu prepare to cross the threshold into 2026. For many Filipinos, this time is marked by fireworks and celebration. However, for Cebuanos, the year 2025 will be remembered not for festivities, but for a series of devastating natural calamities that tested the very core of their strength and community.
A Year of Back-to-Back Calamities
The dark chapter began on September 30, 2025, when a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake violently shook Northern Cebu. The cities of Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, and Daanbantayan were among the hardest hit. The seismic event claimed more than 75 lives, leaving deep scars on the region. To this day, many survivors remain in evacuation centers, relying on temporary shelters and aid, their homes rendered uninhabitable.
Before the north could even begin to fully recover, another disaster struck. On November 4 and 5, Typhoon Tino battered the province with relentless rain. The two-day downpour transformed roads into raging rivers, creating scenes of heartbreak across communities.
Scenes of Loss and a Lesson in Priorities
In municipalities like Liloan, Cebu City, and Talisay, residents faced terrifying ordeals. People were forced to climb onto their roofs to save their lives, watching helplessly as floodwaters carried away their vehicles and belongings. Amid the grief of losing material possessions, a profound truth emerged for many: life is far more precious than any object. A car can be repurchased with money, but a life, once lost, is gone forever.
The official toll from Typhoon Tino was staggering. A report from the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council dated November 13, 2025, confirmed that the typhoon took 108 lives. The rising floodwaters have become a permanent part of the collective Cebuano memory—a mix of fear, sorrow, and the fierce will to survive.
The Unbreakable Cebuano Spirit
In every collapsed home and every flooded farm, there was a story of suffering. Yet, within that pain, the true spirit of Cebu was proven. The community showcased remarkable bayanthan and unshakable faith. Neighbors helped each other evacuate. Young people organized relief operations. Ordinary citizens shared their last cup of rice with those who had nothing. This solidarity was the light that pierced the darkness brought by the earthquake and Typhoon Tino.
As Cebuanos arrange the 12 round fruits on their tables this New Year's Eve, prayers will extend to the families who no longer have complete members to welcome 2026. May the symbol of the circular fruit remind everyone not just of prosperity, but also of the need to care for one another and our environment.
The unity displayed tonight must become the foundation for a stronger, more resilient community, one that is prepared to face any challenge the future may bring. As the sun rises on January 1, 2026, may it herald not just a new calendar, but a renewed commitment to building a safer and more prepared Cebu for all.
