Quake Dashes Dreams of a New Parish Building in Manay
An early-morning earthquake sequence in Davao Oriental has reshaped the San Ignacio de Loyola Parish in Barangay San Ignacio. A newly constructed three-story building intended to house the rectory and a dormitory for parish staff sustained severe damage after two powerful quakes struck on Friday, October 10. The incident has forced local authorities to recommend demolition of the structure, even as the parish presses forward with its spiritual mission and daily rites.
Timeline of the Tremors and the Immediate Aftermath
The first jolt came at 9:43 a.m. with a Magnitude 7.4 quake whose offshore epicenter was reported about 48 kilometers northeast of Manay. Within hours, at 7:12 p.m., a Magnitude 6.8 quake rattled the region again. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) documented both events, which rattled homes, schools, and churches across the coastal town.
Parish priest Ronie Orellianida described the scene during the tremors: a portion of the ceiling and a wall collapsed in the new building, and the foundations looked unstable under the weight of the structure. “We are safe, but we were really scared,” he recalled. The parishioners instinctively moved to open spaces in the compound as the quakes subsided, eyeing a nearby sea that lay just below the seaside property.
What Happened to the Building?
Built with funds raised by faithful parishioners, the three-story structure had not yet reached completion. It had begun serving as a meeting venue and guest dormitory, with finishing touches planned for the third floor. After the quakes, engineers advised demolition, arguing that the building’s posts and foundational elements could no longer guarantee safety for the neighborhood.
Local government engineers have prepared a formal demolition recommendation. The parish awaits an official report to secure authorization from Bishop Abel Cahiles Apigo of Mati, who will need to weigh the safety concerns against the community’s needs. For now, parish operations continue, albeit with a sense of disruption as the destruction of a symbol of growth becomes a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability.
Community Response and Ongoing Services
Despite the damage, Mass and regular services persisted. Volunteers quickly established a temporary shelter on the church grounds and, soon after, relocated to an area along the Diversion Road to continue community gatherings in safer spaces. Parishioners decorated the compound with banners and flaglets in anticipation of their fiesta on October 25, signaling the village’s resolve to maintain tradition amid crisis.
Orellianida emphasized resilience: the most important outcome is safety. He told MindaNews that no parishioners were injured, though some residents sustained minor scrapes. The local government’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office confirmed there were no reported deaths in Manay from the tremors, underscoring a relatively restrained human toll given the event’s magnitude.
Other Damages and Nearby Impacts
Another church in Manay, St. Francis Xavier Church in the poblacion, reported façade and ceiling damage and a portion cordoned off for safety. While structural concerns linger, the community remains vigilant and continues to mobilize resources to support affected families and safeguard public safety.
Looking Ahead: Rebuilding and Reflection
The San Ignacio de Loyola Parish’s experience highlights the fragility of improvised or under-construction religious infrastructure in the face of major earthquakes. For parish leadership, the immediate challenge is to coordinate demolition logistics, liaise with diocesan authorities, and plan for safe, future worship spaces that can withstand seismic stress. The devotion of the parishioners, however, remains unshaken. As the choir voiced Jamie Rivera’s “Heal Our Land,” the congregation heard a reminder that faith communities can endure and rebuild in the wake of disaster.
Bottom Line
With no fatalities reported and a clear path toward safer, rebuilt facilities, Manay’s San Ignacio de Loyola Parish continues to serve its flock while navigating the practical realities of earthquake recovery. The coming weeks will determine how quickly a new, compliant structure can rise and how residents balance tradition with safety in the aftermath of the Magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 quakes.
