Cebu Earthquake Strikes During Miss Asia-Pacific Gala Night

A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Cebu, Philippines, late Tuesday night, striking at around 10:00 pm local time. The tremor hit amid the glittering Gala Night of the Miss Asia-Pacific International 2025 pageant, sending shockwaves of fear through contestants and guests.

Chandeliers swayed violently as beauty queens scrambled for safety, many running barefoot across the hotel lobby while clutching their gowns. Videos that went viral on social media showed participants diving under tables, removing high heels in panic, and trying to exit the building as tremors continued. Reigning queen Janelis Leyba of the United States was seen removing her crown amid the chaos.

The Radisson Blu Cebu hotel, where the event was being held, acted swiftly, guiding all 43 contestants, including Philippines’ own Anita Rose Gomez, to safety. Remaining pageant events were postponed as organisers assessed the damage. The Miss Asia-Pacific International (MAPI) Organisation confirmed that all staff and contestants were safe, expressing gratitude to the hotel for its prompt response.

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The earthquake’s epicentre was located off the northeast coast of Cebu, near Bogo. The tremor claimed at least 72 lives across Cebu Province and left over 150 injured. Bogo reported 30 deaths, San Remigio 22, and Medellin 10. Buildings collapsed in several towns, and power outages disrupted the region. Search and rescue operations concluded on October 2, and the focus has now shifted to relief efforts for affected communities.

The Philippines lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a seismic belt stretching from South America to the Russian Far East, which makes the region highly prone to earthquakes. The country experiences more than 800 quakes annually, with several causing significant damage over the years.