As quake hits Cebu, Katrina gives birth on the road

CEBU, Philippines - After her husband's death, she intended to give birth at the same hospital in Cebu City where she unexpectedly delivered her first born nine years ago after the city experienced heavy traffic due to the oath taking of then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

But Katrina, widow of slain former PDEA spokesperson and radioman, Jessie Tabanao, did not expect to have her second offspring delivered at the road outside the hospital following an evacuation that resulted from a strong earthquake that hit Cebu and other parts of the region yesterday.

She delivered baby boy Kurt Jethro Tabanao at 9:11 yesterday morning in a stretcher outside Cebu City Medical Center after an evacuation was ordered by hospital authorities.

"Niadto ko (CCMC) mga 5am. When the linog hit, mga around 6cm na ko," Katrina said.

She shared that she never got panic while alone left at the labor room while the rest of pregnant women already run outside.

"I was concerned of Josh. Pagkita nako nga natumba ang dagkong oxygen tank, midagan nalang sad unta ko unya kay namalik naman sad ang ubang patients so nihigda ko balik," Katrina further narrated her experience.

Patients were ushered outside the city-run hospital along Panganiban street in between CCMC and Fire Department compound.

"Gipagawas mi kay naa daw order nga pagawson, so gawas tanan. Kudos to the staff of CCMC paspas ang action. Hasta mga off-duty mitabang namo nga mga nanganak," Katrina said.

She said that a temporary delivery room was immediately set-up just outside the emergency room of the CCMC.

Since the hospital was yet cleared to be occupied pending a thorough structural assessment, Katrina opted to go home than stay at the temporary shelters to patients at the nearby sports complex and even the road.

Nine years ago, she also gave birth to her first born at the same hospital after going on labor while on roving as a Bantay Radyo reporter during the oath taking of Arroyo at the Capitol.

Her late husband, then Bombo Radyo reporter, was also covering at the oath taking venue.—(FREEMAN)