The Philippine Cultural Foundation in Tampa Bay is considering ways to help after a powerful earthquake in the Philippines killed dozens of people and displaced more than 30,000 others on Sunday.
Jose Omila, the Founder of the Philippine Cultural Foundation, said seeing the damage in his home country has been difficult.
The foundation works to preserve Filipino culture in the U.S., but Omila said its attention is shifting toward how to support people affected by the earthquake.
“When we’re not in our country, and our country needs help, everybody moves,” Omila said. “Now, when we’re going to do it, what we’re going to do is right now in the planning, it’s too early.”
The earthquake is one of the strongest to hit the Philippines.
For Peachy Tucker, who has lived in the U.S. for nearly 40 years, the earthquake hit close to home.
Tucker grew up on Mindanao, the island closest to the earthquake.
“I was really shocked, and I was so scared,” Tucker said.
Tucker said she contacted her family after learning how severe the earthquake was.
“My nephew had said that at first, they felt the vibration,” Tucker said. “The earth was really vibrating. Then after that, it was swaying right and left.”
Omila said the timing of the earthquake added to the concern.
“It happened in the day when people were at work, people were in the office, children were at school, and that was the frightening part,” Omila said.
Tucker said she is grateful her friends are safe, though some were affected and are now living in tents.
“You know how it is in the Philippines, if Florida is hot, it’s really hot there,” Tucker said.
Omila said the foundation is confident it will find a way to help.
