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Philippines: Post-earthquake reactions on Twitter

Categories: East Asia, Philippines, Breaking News, Disaster, Technology

A 6.1 intensity earthquake rocked Manila and nearby provinces a few hours ago. Twitterers continue to share their experience and observations.

Some basic information about the quake:

coffeewithamee: [1] RT @juliusbabao: Philvolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) Director Solidum: Earthquake in Metro Manila similar to Chile , but lesser in strength. 50 aftershocks recorded this pm.
alongcame_polly: [2] @SarahTLV1 we had a 6.2 earthquake here in Manila earlier. it was kinda strong but quick.
nadine_joy: [3] A strong earthquake struck manila philippines today at around 2:00 pm with a magnitude of 6.1!
jhoyml: [4] 6.1 magnitude quake. Mindoro – epicenter. #earthquake
mllmartinez: [5] The earthquake is already in the news with a magnitude of 6, wherein the epicenter is 100km southwest of Manila.
USGS_EQ_25: [6] PRELIM: M6.1 05:29 3/25 13.7N 120.1E 106 km W of Batangas, Luzon, Philippines MINDORO, PHILIPPINES Z=72km US 2010ugaf 33f06

There were many people who didn’t feel and notice the quake

rachelmercado08: [7] On my way home, I was wondering why there were lots of people in the park. I thought there was a celebrity or something. EARTHQUAKE pala
keikimi: [8] Just got home, didn't feel the earthquake, I was in the car, sleeping. :D
leamusikera: [9] i just woke up the earthquake earlier was a little scary. i hope it doesn't happen again. i'm so scare
roseannrelos: [10] Effin’ earthquake! Everybody is talking about it! I can't relate, I really didn't felt it…'coz i'm sleeping during the thing! Lo
prettyshopper: [11] Heard there was an earthquake. I was on the road, didn't feel it.
ohsnapitscelina: [12] received 7 missed calls from my mom earlier who kept panicking about the earthquake. I didn't feel anything though..

Post-earthquake drill. Pic by Jena via @Butterflygurl07 [13]

Post-earthquake drill. Pic by Jena via @Butterflygurl07

How did some people react to the quake? Where were they when the quake struck the capital?

urprincesspeach: [14] always wondered how i'd react when an earthquake strikes. Only to find out I would spend the whole duration figuring out if I'm just dizzy
avoiderdragon: [15] says I was in the computer shop when the earthquake happened. It enhanced gameplay.
yesitsMafia: [16] Oh yeah, I also felt the earthquake a while ago. I was trying to sleep but then it happened. Hahah
BirdBrand: [17] Earthquake here in the NCR (National Capital Region) is weak. Nothing really to be alarmed about. People worry too much!
akpt14: [18] i was in the library when a 6.6 magnitude earthquake shook manila and near cities 6 hours ago. that was so scary…. T_T
josramoy: [19] i was at home when the earthquake happened this 1:35pm. really scary.
marchil: [20] everybody all right? what i thought was a dizzy spell due to heat or might have been hunger was apparently a 6.1 magnitude earthquake
artsyava: [21] Home from school. Still surprised over the earthquake that happened today. CSB had an earthquake drill but still classes resumed after
ohsheshot: [22] That earthquake only gave me severe headache and mild heart attack!
ageofbrillig [23]: DZMM reports quake scene at intl conference, “sandwiches were dancing”. Crowne Plaza, 4th floor.

Some funny reflections….

johnnnnnyboy: [24] Funny scene @the office kanina: while all of us are preparing to go down for a scheduled FIRE DRILL, bigla namang nag EARTHQUAKE! Worse Hah
indigirltwitz: [25] was about to have late lunch when the earthquake shook…i felt the shaking going on but my friends said i was just hungry.tsk tsk tsk.

and some serious afterthoughts

jhaeze07: [26] thanks god that everything is still ok after that earthquake. lets just always pray for everybody. god bless everyone.
fredrockz: [27] RT @webtw Just in case you thought you were in charge of ur life, mother nature just gave us a gentle reminder, ur not. #earthquake #manila
Jaynhus: [28] Earthquake make us forget our problems at least for a second.

Below is a short video which shows the impact of the quake in an office located in the central business district

Everybody was tweeting the quake

ImmabeKaydee: [29] during the earthquake, first thing to enter my mind : I have to tweet this! :P hahaha..adik? (addicted)
pamantiad: [30] everybody's tweeting about the earthquake. I'm not sure if I should, too. :P

A different earthquake in Manila today when Hollywood pop star Justin Timberlake arrived in the country

dxxen: [31] RT @joshua_yu: RT @kellyism: people at sofitel were running to go outside, not bec of earthquake but bec Justin Timberlake was at the poolside, teehee:)
kimbamheo [32]: oh did you felt the earthquake? or is it just Timbaland, @jojoistheway and @jtimberlake goin to rock the house on Saturday?!? 0___0!
yvette_tan: [33] There will be a much weaker earthquake on Saturday. This time due to lolas (grandmas) jumping up and down at the Tom Jones concert. :p RT @chockwit

Philippines, Earthquake, and Manila became top twitter trending topics of the day. At one point, it even “out-trended Justin Bieber

thepoledancer: [34] RT @iamqueenn: it took an earthquake in the Philippines to knock @justinbieber off the trending topics on Twitter
tonyocruz: [35] RT @1rgcruz: oh this is historic—justin bieber is compeletely boxed out of twitter trending by trends from the philippines