Lance Joseph Martinez

LOOK: Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 Candidates React After 6.9-Magnitude Quake Shakes Cebu

Article (news)

<p>On Tuesday night, at around 9:59 PM, a powerful <strong>6.9 magnitude earthquake</strong> struck <strong>Bogo, Cebu</strong>, according to Phivolcs, sending shockwaves that were felt across the province.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1133732228727311%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>The intense tremor left many residents affected, with several structures sustaining heavy damage, including the historic Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, which was reduced to rubble.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0CtD9N9mVu7jBhaydGdL6RxBhceNo42zNntph95jscVRtAA1cCzh2UgrqJvQAixkol&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="708" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>At the same time, the Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 pageant was in full swing at the five-star Radisson Blu Cebu, where its much-anticipated Gala Night was taking place.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPO6ZK7j1VE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2524111%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="880" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Panic quickly spread inside the venue as the ground shook, with the 42 contestants from around the world—along with organizers and members of the media—captured on video rushing to evacuate the hotel.</p><p>As news of the quake circulated, worried families and supporters sought updates on the safety of the candidates. In response, several queens took to their Instagram Stories to reassure their followers and share their thoughts and messages in the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that rocked Cebu.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International Australia </strong></div><p>Miss Australia <strong>Deborah Christine Madriaga</strong> assured fans that they are now safe and well cared for.</p><p>&quot;Thank you to everyone who checked up on me, we&#x27;re all okay now and well taken care of by the organisation. Please pray for my roommate &amp; good friend, Miss Belgium, for healing, also for the locals who are affected by the earthquake. Good night!&quot; she shared.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759288721717Miss Australia.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from @deborah.madriaga</span></span></span></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International Cambodia </strong></div><p>&quot;Miss Asia Pacific International is taking care of us. We are okay. Thank you,&quot; Miss Cambodia <strong>Mealyann Nita Saing </strong>wrote.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPOxom3j4BI/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A74114%2C%22ls%22%3A1345%2C%22le%22%3A1600%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International France</strong></div><p>Miss France <strong>Océane Gryzon</strong> described the moment as unforgettable.</p><p>“A moment we will never forget... During the girls&#x27; fashion show, an earthquake struck live on air. At first, there was a lot of fear and confusion, but fortunately, everything is fine. No one was hurt, just a big emotional shock. It makes us realize even more how precious and fragile life is. Thank you to those who checked in on me. I&#x27;m fine,&quot; she wrote. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759288748558Miss France.PNG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from @oceane_gzn</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International Indonesia </strong></div><p>Miss Indonesia <strong>Aisyah Amini </strong>admitted she was shaken by the intense tremor.</p><p>&quot;Guys, alhamdulillah, we’re all safe. But there’s something that made me a bit worried—the earthquake was really strong, and it’s the first time I’ve felt one this intense. Earlier, I happened to talk with someone from Indonesia who’s staying here in Cebu. We chatted about the situation after the quake, and she’s actually one of the invited guests at the MAPI event. Please pray for us, guys. Thank you,&quot; she wrote, as translated from Indonesian to English.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759288786398Miss Indonesia 2.PNG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from @arsprl_</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International Japan </strong></div><p>Miss Japan <strong>Matsuo Kanamo </strong>expressed gratitude for the kindness they received in the aftermath.</p><p>&quot;We&#x27;re all safe. People have been so thoughtful, handing out water, chairs, slippers, and blankets to make sure we&#x27;re safe,&quot; she noted.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759289878977MIss Japan.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from @kanako.m_</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International Nepal</strong> </div><p>Miss Nepal <strong>Prapti Ranabhat</strong> reflected on the unity shown during the crisis.</p><p>&quot;In times like these, we are reminded that no matter where we come from, we are all sisters and brothers standing together, united in strength and resilience as human beings. I am deeply grateful to the organizers for taking such good care of us during this unexpected moment,&quot; she wrote.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759289957378Miss Nepal.PNG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from @praptiranabhat14</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International Singapore </strong></div><p>Miss Singapore <strong>Krishashinii Do Vijaya (Krisha) Raj</strong> reassured loved ones back home.</p><p>&quot;To friends and family back in Singapore. I&#x27;m doing okay. Thank you, MAPI team, for taking such good care of us when we were all so,&quot; she wrote.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759290036538Miss Singapore.PNG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from @krisha.raj_</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International South Africa </strong></div><p>Miss South Africa <strong>Bejandri Lourens </strong>urged everyone to keep Cebu in their thoughts.</p><p>&quot;Please continue to keep Cebu and everyone affected in your thoughts and prayers. May we hold onto faith, kindness, and unity in moments like these, and continue to uplift one another with love and compassion,&quot; she said.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759290116141Miss South Africa.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from @bejandri</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International Thailand </strong></div><p>Miss Thailand <strong>Bowonrat Maneerat</strong> echoed the same sentiments of safety and gratitude.</p><p>&quot;Everyone, the team and the contestants, are all safe. The pageant organization is taking very good care of us. Thank you so much to everyone who reached out and showed concern for us. Once everything is settled, I’ll give you an update right away,&quot;  she wrote, as translated from Thai to English.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759290234542MIss Thailand.PNG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from @i.am.nuania</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Asia Pacific International USA</strong></div><p>Miss USA <strong>Kayla Jane Usison </strong>shared that while they were shaken, they remain thankful.</p><p>&quot;No one is seriously injured. We&#x27;re just a bit shaken up, but all okay. We&#x27;re heading back to the hotel now to rest. I am grateful to God for His protection and kindly ask for your continued prayers as we take time to mentally and emotionally recover from this traumatic experience,&quot; she wrote.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759290304082Miss USA.PNG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from kaylausison</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from<strong> Lance Joseph Martinez</strong></p>

<p>Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 candidates took to their Instagram Stories to reassure their followers and share their thoughts and messages in the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that rocked Cebu.</p>

Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 candidates took to their Instagram Stories to reassure their followers and share their thoughts and messages in the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that rocked Cebu.