What was supposed to be a night of glamor and charity had a frantic conclusion as the 6.9 magnitude earthquake halted the benefit gala night of the 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant here.
The quake’s epicenter was traced to Bogo City some 95 kilometers – or close to 3 hours – away, from where the pageant event was being held in the capital city.
Just as the 43 delegates were making their exit from the runway at the ballroom of Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City on Tuesday evening, Sept. 30, the hall shook and the ladies frantically ran to different directions as they sought cover.
The international pageant was holding the event to raise funds for Operation Smile through ticket sales for the fashion show of Philippine ternos designed by Cebuano designers, showcased by the delegates.
A silent auction of luxury bags and statement pieces was also conducted to help gather additional funds for the nonprofit organization, while a live bidding was held for items from Cebuano furniture designers Kenneth Cobonpue and Vito Selma, London-based fashion designer John Herrera, and jewelry maker Oro China.
After the successful bidders were announced, the ladies took the runway in their Filipiniana flair of different fabrics, silhouettes and styles. Reigning queen Janelis Leyba and second runner-up Selena Ali showcased the creations of renowned Cebuano fashion icon Cary Santiago.
Belgium’s Jana Janssens was chosen by Santiago as the Best in Philippine Terno, while Herrera picked Alejandro Godinez Jr. as the Best Philippine Terno Designer, his creation paraded by the Philippines’ Anita Rose Gomez.
Grace under pressure, chaos
After the awards were handed out and just as the program was about to close, the floor started shaking, and the crystal pieces from the chandeliers started swaying. The tremor was so strong that the wine glasses and water goblets on the tables tumbled. Some guests rushed outside the ballroom, while the others ducked and went under the tables, including some of the ladies. When the tremor stopped, hotel staff members guided the guests to safety, leading them out to the parking lot.
In her panic, reigning Miss Asia Pacific International queen Janelis Leyba from the United States could be seen in the video hurling off her crown as she tried to leave the stage.
Many of the ladies took off their high heels and rushed outside barefoot, some of them clutching their long skirts as Eva Patalinjug, the pageant’s president, instructed them to follow the ushers to safety while looking out for everyone’s welfare.
The police was deployed to the scene, followed by a rescue team. Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, who attended the gathering, was seen consulting her staff, asking about the province’s current situation and hurrying out of the vicinity.
Janssens had to get help from others to get to safety as she hurt her leg after jumping from the stage. She was later rushed to the hospital for tests and treatment. She had since been declared out of danger and has already joined her fellow delegates. As soon as the guests gathered at the designated evacuation area, the hotel setup a help desk at the parking lot. Staff members distributed towels for some of the guests who needed additional covering.
Slippers were handed out to those who had taken off their shoes, and for guests seeking relief from running in the high heels that they have been wearing all night.
Staff members also handed out bottled water as the hotel’s security team assessed the situation. And even if the ballroom was just located on the second floor, the ladies and the production team had to wait for hours before they were allowed backstage.
The ladies, still in their terno, sat on the chairs laid out by the staff members on the parking lot, as more seats were being setup in the evacuation area. But just as the hotel was winding down its sweep of the property, it started raining and the guests were ushered to shelter, with staff members hurriedly handing out umbrellas and helping guests seek cover.
The lobby on the ground floor was the first to be made available for the guests to settle in and collect themselves. The chairs set up in the parking lot were moved to the area for guests to use again.
And at the homestretch of the assessment for structural integrity, the hotel laid out a spread of warm dishes, breads, other food items and drinks for the guests who are awaiting further instructions.
The delegates and the production team were then allowed to return backstage, and the ladies were able to slip into more comfortable clothes. They then also got their meals from the spread.
A couple of hours after midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the ladies were then guided to the buses that would take them to their hotel residence in Mandaue City that has also finished conducting an assessment for structural integrity.
Several other activities have been planned for the ladies in the province, under the Cebu local government’s partnership with the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant. But many of the items in their calendar have been put on hold as of this writing.