Two days after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck her hometown in the central Philippines, Arguel Estalicas says she still feels dizzy every time she stands up.
That spinning feeling, coupled with a string of aftershocks, has left the 35-year-old tourism officer and many other survivors too scared to return to their homes, forcing them to live in tents temporarily.
The earthquake shook the northern coast of Cebu, one of the country's most populous islands, on the night of 30 September, jolting many out of their sleep.
It killed at least 68 people and wounded more than 500 others, as homes, buildings and churches collapsed and roads cracked.
I still couldn't process what has happened to us, Ms. Estalicas tells the BBC. I am overwhelmed with the things we experienced in the last two days.
The 35-year-old lives in Medellin town, near the quake's epicenter. Disaster response officials say the earthquake displaced nearly 80,000 people across Cebu and nearby provinces. Cebu is a major trading and transportation hub in the central Philippines.
She said she got out of bed screaming when the earthquake struck and ran outdoors with her family. They slept under the open sky, but when a light drizzle fell, Ms. Estalicas and her family wrapped themselves up in plastic bags because they did not have raincoats.
Photos on social media showed them slouched on plastic chairs, swathed in plastic bags fogged up by their breath.
About 10km away, in San Remigio municipality, Lourenze Pareja also spent the night outdoors on the night of the earthquake. There, under the night sky, we sat freely - in great faith - with our little lights, holding on to what resources we had, Mr. Pareja wrote on Facebook. Pray for us, everyone.
When the ground started shaking, Mr. Pareja said he grabbed his phone and ran to the street to livestream the unfolding chaos - neighbors in pajamas leaving their homes, with their children and pets in tow. Lord, the 25-year-old community journalist said in the livestream, calling out to God, seemingly unable to say much else.
The Philippines, situated on the geologically unstable Ring of Fire, is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. The Cebu earthquake on Tuesday ranks among the strongest and deadliest in recent years. In 2013, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in nearby Bohol island resulted in over 200 deaths and the destruction of centuries-old churches.
As rescuers searched through rubble on Thursday, authorities worked to deliver food, restore power and communication lines, and clear roads of debris. The Philippine military has deployed troops to aid in maintaining order during relief efforts.
However, basic necessities such as food, water, and fuel remain a pressing concern for many affected residents. Photographer Doods Demape undertook a four-hour drive to buy supplies since no supermarkets were operational. Most roads are now passable so supplies are now coming in from the city. But immediate supplies like water and food, especially for the children are not yet available, he tells the BBC.
In Bogo city, where the quake's epicenter is located, local media reports show body bags lined up on the streets in front of makeshift hospitals treating the injured.
This week’s earthquake comes in the midst of a severe typhoon season, further complicating recovery efforts after two back-to-back storms inundated large portions of the country just a week prior. The island of Cebu is particularly susceptible to typhoons and lies on the general storm path over the Pacific.
Despite the many difficulties faced, locals like Ms. Estalicas and Mr. Pareja remain hopeful, demonstrating resilience through community support known locally as bayanihan. My only prayer is that help won't be delayed - and that neighboring municipalities will also be considered and covered in these relief efforts, Mr. Pareja said.
