quake scare

Whispered 'did-you-know''s about the supposedly-predicted earthquake turned into anxious 'let's-go-down-and-save-ourselves' talk around mid-afternoon today, leading to an 'earthquake scare' right smack in Citibank Square at about 5pm.

Here's a backgrounder: Supposedly, the psychic that predicted the Tsunami disaster warned that there was going to be an earthquake today at about 5 in the afternoon that would devastate Manila, especially Quezon City. Given that Eastwood lies squarely on a fault line, some people started circulating worried words of warning all throughout the office. Some immediately moved their previously-scheduled meetings to Figaro (which is right across) or Starbucks or Coffee Bean (which are a good trek away from our office). Some just scheduled their coffee breaks at 5pm, so they could casually walk out under the guise of 'taking a break' and effectively, save themselves.

Some, like me, hadn't wanted to be part of the dubious hearsays.. but by the time 4:38 to 4:40pm rolled out, people on our floor stood up and started walking out. A mass coffee break.

Why would I stay and be the only 1 on the floor? If people are deserting their work stations, why should I stay? So I went with them-- the whole time protesting that this was foolish and quite frankly a waste of time.

But when I saw the volume of people, from other departments, leaving the building, I couldn't help but feel worried myself. Oh my gosh, is this really going to happen!? What should I do?! I search my brain for emails about what to do during a quake. The search came out empty. We started debating-- what does the 'triangle of life' really cover? What if you're outside and the building ends up falling on you?

Even funnier is our choice of 'evacuation center'.

McDonald's.

Hahahaha! When I saw where we were headed, I couldn't help but laugh. I mean, hello?! First of all, McDonald's is surrounded by high-rise apartments on one side, and a row of restaurants on the other. Do they really think that's a safe place to seek refuge?

It gets funnier. When I got to the counter to place my order, the lady cashier goes, "Ma'am, bakit po kayo nandito, d nyo po ba alam lilindol daw?" I just laughed and replied, "E at least busog ako kung lumindol."

Well, as you all know now, nothing happened. This is what happens when a bunch of people believe a hoax and start spreading it to people who also fall for it. Haha! Well, at least we all got a coffee break (or McDo break in my case) out of it. :)