Survivors recall terror of 1990 Luzon quake

DAGUPAN CITY — Thirty-six years after the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake, survivors in Pangasinan still vividly remember the terror unleashed by the magnitude 7.7 tremor that transformed parts of this city into a scene of destruction.

The powerful quake, which struck at 3:36 p.m. on July 16, 1990, toppled and tilted power poles, destroyed buildings, fractured bridges, shattered roads, and triggered liquefaction that split open the ground and spewed muddy water, swallowing structures and flooding large portions of the downtown area.

“It was like the end of the world,” recalled Pangasinan Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia, who was at her family’s home in Bonuan when the earthquake struck.

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READ: Lessons from 1990 Luzon quake

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Her children were only four and three years old at the time. As the house shook violently from side to side, she rushed into their room, carried them outside, and watched in horror as the water in their swimming pool surged upward.

“I thought a tsunami had already arrived because all the water in the pool was rising. People were praying and begging God to save them because everyone thought it was the end of the world,” she said.

Fearing both a collapsing house and a possible tsunami, De Venecia moved her family to their garden and had everyone wear life vests.

No accident

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Looking back, she believes their survival was no accident.

“Maybe it wasn’t our time yet. We survived because perhaps we still had things to accomplish in life,” De Venecia said.

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READ: Grim memory of 1990 Luzon quake stays with survivor

The experience turned her into a strong advocate of disaster preparedness. She now urges families to keep emergency go-bags containing water, food, a flashlight, whistle, clothing, and other essentials, and to stay calm during emergencies.

“I believe that what ultimately saves you is your presence of mind—and your willingness to help save others as well,” De Venecia shared.

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For many Pangasinenses, the memories of one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters remain as vivid as ever, serving as a reminder that preparedness can mean the difference between life and death./coa