Focus key to coping with tremors

CEBU, Philippines - More than a week after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck, particularly in Cebu and Bohol, over 2,000 aftershocks were already recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

According to Phivolcs, the aftershocks, including stronger ones, may continue for weeks or even months. Wikipedia defines an aftershock as a weaker earthquake that occurs after a previously strong one in the same area of the main tremor.

While an aftershock may not be that monstrous, Talisay City Budget Officer Edgardo Mabunay said it is still as “traumatic” as the main quake, especially that his office is on the third floor. He said everytime there is an aftershock, instinct always kicks in and they run outside for their safety.

That is why he was thankful that they were allowed to hold office in makeshift tents at the City Hall grounds after Mayor Johnny delos Reyes closed their building for inspection because of the presence of cracks.

Mabunay, though, is luckier compared to Stream call center agent Riza Mahusay Dulfo, whose office is on the 10th floor.

“Mo-shake akong tuhod. Kung unsa’y intensity sa aftershock mao sad akong tuhod. Unconciously, singot na dayon kaayo akong kamot ug tiil (my hands and feet would start sweating),” Dulfo said.

She said she was answering a call when a strong tremor rocked the building. She had to ask the customer that they end the call so she could leave the building. Fortunately, the customer was kind enough to understand and even asked if she was okay.

“Katong 4:40 a.m. nga aftershock nga grabe kakusog, naa pa gyud ko call ato. Nananghid ko sa customer nga kinahanglan nako i-end ang call. Ako gyud sya gistoryahan naa aftershock kay 3 days ago naa 7.2 magnitude ni-hit sa Pinas. Maayo gani nakasabot ra. Sige pa gyud sya ask okay raba ko and ako officemates,” she said.

Dulfo said she is just glad that although they still have work despite the tremors, management slackened the rules despite losses caused by interrupted calls. The company, she said, allowed employees to leave the building every time there is an aftershock. She said they left emergency exits always open for easier and faster egress and posted a blue guard in strategic areas to guide them in going out.

“Giingnan naman mi sa among (We were told by our) boss nga kung dili mi (that if we are not) comfortable nga mo-stay sa building they won’t stop us. Maski pa daw ni-confirm ang mga engineers nga up to magnitude 10 ang makaya sa building,” she said.

For a working mother like her who must work to earn a living, she always worried over the safety of her two children at home. Dulfo said that since Tuesday last week’s earthquake, she had thought of not going to work for a number of times just so she could be with her children to ensure their safety.

“Wala ko nag-think sa pwede mahitabo nako while naa sa office. Akong gihunana ang mga kids. Di ko ganahan wala maka-comfort nila everytime naay aftershock,” she said. But she said, “as much as possible I stay calm maski panic mode inside.”

Joy Love Bacalan, another working mother, is also in dread every time she leaves the house for work. A call center agent of Accenture, she works on the 14th floor. She said she had to go on leave after the Oct. 15 earthquake just to stay with her two children, ages two and eight.

“Hadlok kaayo kay taas kaayo among building. Mag-huna-huna pud kos mga bata kung naunsa na sila,” she said. Bacalan said she was glad that when the earthquake occurred she was in the same room with her children.

Every time there is an aftershock, Bacalan said she would immediately immediately called her mother, to whom she leaves the care of her children, to ask if they were all safer.

“Everytime I work, mura’g naa ko’y separation anxiety na what if maglinog nasad, wala ko sa balay, di nako kuyog ang mga bata,” she said. She had taught her eldest, to go outside or hind under the table during earthquakes.

Staying calm is also tenminutes.ph writer Mars Alison’s weapon against the aftershocks. She has long accepted the fact that “every now and then aftershocks will be jolting us.”

“What we need to do now, I guess, is to take stock of the situation like have a plan A and B for situations like being stuck in a place where the exit is not that accessible; like finding the ideal spot where I can duck, take cover and stay safe; or being in an open area and checking for trees or posts or anything that might pin me down. Knowing these helps,” she said.

And because preparedness is key, Alison said that when she takes a bath, she always has her clothes on.   “Kay wa gyud koy plano magtapis nga modagan sa gawas.”

She, however, would assess the situation first to see if there is a need to run or just walk.

 â€œI believe gyud na keeping calm can save more lives. Dili sayon but if imo lang jud ma-master imo fear mas naa jud ka chance of surviving,” she said, adding that prayers also help one to stay calm.

“Na-strengthen sab ako faith ni God every time naay aftershock, I take a moment to call Him and mas mokalma ko,” she said.

Anna Kathrina Oaminal-Watin, clinical psychologist, said it is normal for people to be panicky during earthquakes.

“Being jumpy at these ‘shaky’ days is a natural reaction. A human being will do his or her best to be able to survive,” she said.

Watin said that while it is also normal to be stressed out, nervous, frightened, panicky, anxious, and even confused, it is also “possible for people to cope”.

“When a person is not calm during these events, he or she is likely to react in an unproductive, impractical manner that could endanger his or her safety or that of others,” she said.

That is why it helps that people are with their families and the people they care about.

“Together with our own circle of important persons we recognize that what we have been through was extremely stressful. Experts would tell us that there is always an emotional reaction to this. By giving time for ourselves to go through with the process, we will be able to manage the stress. Resuming to a normal routine is very helpful. Providing routine, safety and security for our children would help a lot,” Watin said.

And while some people recover on their own or with the support of family, friends and community, Watin said there are also those who need the help of mental health professionals “to debrief them.”

 â€œThe earthquake came as a shock. Because of its magnitude, a lot of people experienced stress and for some, trauma. Given the numerous aftershocks, these had added to the already stressful state of people, plus the fact that most people have limited knowledge about earthquakes. Limited knowledge about something would usually end up in a maladaptive, impractical or wrong thoughts and actions,” she added.

For her, being well-informed plays a crucial role in staying calm. She suggested that people listen to, watch, or read the news, but only from reputable and credible sources.

“Earthquakes and aftershocks are beyond our control. However, we can control how we react to such. By being aware on what are the right things to do during aftershocks and with clear focus and presence of mind, a person can stay calm,” Watin said. (FREEMAN)