Centuries-Old Church Collapses in Philippines Earthquake

On September 15th, 2025, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake shook the central Philippines, causing significant damage to a historic church in the region. The Parish of Saint Peter the Apostle in Bantayan, Cebu partially collapsed during the tremor, with dramatic video footage capturing the church's lights and outer facade crumbling.

The epicenter of the quake was located approximately 11 kilometers east-southeast of Calape, a municipality in Bohol province. In the aftermath, the local seismology office issued a warning about possible minor sea-level disturbances in the central islands of Leyte, Cebu, and Biliran, advising residents to stay away from the beaches.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported as a result of the earthquake. Martham Pacilan, a 25-year-old resident of the resort town of Bantayan, described the chaotic scene, saying he heard a "loud booming noise" from the direction of the church and saw rocks falling from the structure. However, he added that "luckily no one got hurt."

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the Philippines, which sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of intense seismic activity. While most quakes are too weak to be felt, the recent 6.9 magnitude tremor served as a stark reminder of the country's vulnerability to natural disasters.