Warning signs

We forget, but historically Manila and the Philippines have been wracked by earthquakes, especially in the 19th century. One of the worst on record though occurred in 1645 on Saint Andrew’s Day (who became Manila’s special protector after the invasion of Limahong was expelled on his feast day). After the ever noble city had concluded the civic-religious festivities in honor of San Andres, all was quiet. At eight o’clock in the evening the cathedral, parish churches and convents rang the measured toll of the animas — a call to prayers for the departed. Suddenly, the bells went wild. Then nothing was heard but the thundering crash of buildings, the shriek of human beings and the terrified cries of animals. In about a minute, the city that had just invoked the protection of its patron saint was in total ruins.

About the casualties, Fray Joseph Fayol noted; “Some bemoaned their children who remained buried in the ruins; others, their parents and relatives. For some, there was no one to weep, since the entire family had perished.” The Saint Joseph chapel was adorned with representations of the apostles. Not a single one fell during the earthquake, except that of Saint Andrew and this was interpreted as a “token that on his day his church and even his city were destroyed.”

After the 1645 earthquake, Manila was struck many times during the next 250 years of Spanish rule; so much so that Intramuros was rebuilt several times. It also affected the way churches and buildings were constructed. There were serious earthquakes in 1853, 1863 and three in 1880. After each of the churches and structures was rebuilt, as a matter of fact the only structure in Intramuros to survive the earthquakes, fires and wars was San Agustin Church. These quakes (especially those of 1863 and 1880) were so serious that in Manila many people were killed by falling roof tiles. As a result, a ban was issued on the use of tiled roofing on two-storied structures. Instead, the authorities decreed that henceforth, all two-story structures would have to use sheet iron roofing. In Ilocos, there were so many earthquakes that bell towers were separated from the church proper. The American period response to the earthquake issue was cement, especially reinforced concrete. As always, architecture should be adapted to climate and terrain to truly be effective.

Our buildings’ ability to withstand a major earthquake is a serious concern — especially in light of the tragedy unfolding in Haiti. As a matter of fact, according to a recent report the only place in the Philippines that is earthquake free is Palawan. With regards to Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (run from 2002-2004) said that a 7.2 earthquake could result in up to 33,000 deaths and over 100,000 injuries, with around three million refugees. Of the 1.3 million buildings in Metro Manila, close to 200,000 could be destroyed. We have all noticed the rapid building construction that has taken place throughout the Metro, we hope that all of these new buildings comply with the most stringent of earthquake-proof requirements. Our older buildings as well should be studied to ensure safety. The Philippines and Metro Manila has a long history of earthquakes, this should not be forgotten.

All we have to do is see the devastation in Haiti (and other countries), look at what happened during the typhoons last year and years past, and even the earthquakes of our history to know what will happen if we are caught, not unaware (because we have been warned), but unprepared.