Zambales gets jolt, bishops seek prayers

In a frightening geological cycle, the province of Zambales in Luzon was hit by a magnitude-5 earthquake yesterday, a day after twin temblors shook Davao Oriental.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs), a magnitude-5 earthquake occurred in Cabangan, Zambales, at 5:32 p.m. at a depth of 100 kilometers. After shocks were expected.

Several areas in Metro Manila also felt the quake. A video from The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) showed students on the Manila campus evacuating.

The 5.0-magnitude earthquake followed the “doublet” of magnitude-7.4 and 6.3 earthquakes that occurred in Manay, Davao Oriental, 11 days after the 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday urged the faithful to join a collective act of penance and prayer after the series of calamities, including typhoons, volcanic eruptions, fires, and earthquakes, recently struck the country.

In Circular 25-14, CBCP president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David asked the people to pray for the nation’s renewal, and to wear white every Sunday in October and November, as well as to display white ribbons in homes, churches, and public spaces.

“Let our white garments be a symbol of the purity we seek for our land and our hearts. May this season of prayer and repentance lead us to hope, healing, and the restoration of our everyday life in truth and justice,” David said.

“For the past few days now, we have been experiencing terrible calamities — one after another! Let us beg the Lord’s mercy on our people,” the Caloocan prelate added.

He urged Filipinos to pray every Sunday and, if possible, daily until the Solemnity of Christ the King in November, a feast in the liturgical year which emphasizes the true kingship of Christ.