The hashtags #earthquake and #quakePH quickly trend on Twitter a few minutes after the earthquake, whose epicenter was located in Castillejos, Zambales

MANILA, Philippines – On Monday, April 22, the same day the world celebrated Earth Day 2019, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake rocked parts of Luzon island in the Philippines.

Netizens quickly turned to social media to report their situation and the damage brought by the strong earthquake to their areas.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology revised the magnitude upwards, after initially pegging the earthquake at magnitude 5.7. In a bulletin, Phivolcs said the epicenter of the earthquake was in Castillejos, Zambales.

As of posting, #earthquake and #quakePH are among the trending topics on Twitter Philippines.

Check out the tweets from netizens:

Tremors were felt in several parts of Luzon. Phivolcs said aftershocks were expected after the quake. – Rappler.com</s>The earthquake prompts evacuations in Samar, Tacloban City, Leyte, Bacolod City, Iloilo, and Cebu

MANILA, Philippines– After a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck parts of the Visayas on Tuesday, April 23, several schools, commercial and residential buildings, and establishments were evacuated to ensure people's safety.

The earthquake happened a day after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake jolted parts of Luzon on Monday, April 22.

In a bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the epicenter of Tuesday's earthquake was located in San Julian, Eastern Samar.

The earthquake prompted evacuations in Samar, Tacloban City, Leyte, Bacolod City, Iloilo, and Cebu. People who evacuated were only allowed to enter buildings after they've gotten clearance from the establishments. (READ: All you need to know about preparing for earthquakes)

According to Phivolcs, affected persons may stay indoors if they are already within a structurally sound building or home. As a precautionary measure, Phivolcs advised people to find the nearest exit and move to an open area that's far away from trees, power lines, posts, and concrete structures.

Here are photos of some evacuations prompted by Tuesday's earthquake:</s>The death toll from the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the Philippines' on Monday (local time) has risen to nine.

According to the and (Phivolcs), the earthquake was detected at a depth of 12 km, with an epicenter located about 18 km northeast of Castillejos town in the western part of Luzon Island, reported

The quake has since been followed by more than 400 aftershocks.

The is prone to because of its geographical positioning. The country lies along the "Pacific Ring of Fire", an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the basin of the</s>Residents of Pampanga readily presented the damage and hurt in the aftermath of the 6.1-magnitude earthquake on social media as the topic #prayforPampanga became trending in the morning of April 23.

Some users, however, were quick to downplay the incident on social platforms.

Twitter user @kkkiiiitttyyy told off those who were making memes out of the earthquake and shared how she and her neighbors in Pampanga were affected by the powerful tremors.

“Before posting earthquake memes, we in Pampanga just want to let you all know that there were structural damages, people got hurt, there was panic, people cried, some areas still don’t have power,” she said and attached a collage of photos of the damaged properties.

Other users shared that this was their first time to experience a strong earthquake in the province. They appealed to others to pray for one another’s safety as well.

Prior to this, several users were making fun of people posting updates on Twitter and Facebook of their situation.

Based on reports, the death toll from the strong earthquake rose to more than a dozen, several of whom were in Pampanga.

Dozens more are still missing, trapped at the Chuzon Supermarket in the town of Porac, Pampanga that collapsed during the ground shaking.

Meanwhile, the glass panel of an unused tower at the Clark International Airport was also broken based on viral photos.

The airport was immediately closed off from travelers for 24 hours so that airport authorities could assess damage. As of press time, the airport has been declared safe for regular operations.

Old churches in Pampanga were also not spared from the quake. Based on the photos, parts of the Porac Church and the San Agustin Church were torn down.

Data from the state seismology showed the epicenter of the 6.1 magnitude earthquake is in Castillejos, Zambales, which is near Pampanga, at 5:11 pm.

In terms of intensity, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology labeled the tremor as “strong” at Intensity 5. Major earthquakes trigger Intensity 7 shaking and above.

Some parts of Luzon also felt the earthquake with less intensity from 5 and below.

Intensity measures the amount of vibration or shaking of a particular place while magnitude is the size of the quake itself.

While Phivolcs assured that the earthquake did not trigger a tsunami, it still warned Filipinos from aftershocks.

It has since recorded hundreds of aftershocks, including a magnitude 3.4 tremor in Angeles City in Pampanga at 3:40 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23.</s>People share photos of evacuation in Baguio City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City, Taguig City, Makati, and Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that shook parts of Luzon, evacuations of government offices, private offices, schools, and buildings were conducted as a precautionary measure on Monday, April 22.

People in establishments and buildings in several areas – including Baguio City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City, Taguig City, Makati, and Manila – were asked to evacuate. Several establishments correctly waited for clearance before allowing people back inside. (READ: All you need to know about preparing for earthquakes)

In the event of an earthquake, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recommends that people find a safe exit and move to an open area that's far away from trees, power lines, posts, and concrete structures.

In a bulletin, the Phivolcs said the epicenter of Monday's earthquake was in Castillejos town in Zambales. The agency warned that aftershocks and damage were to be expected.

Here are photos of some of the evacuations following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake:</s>MANILA — A magnitude 6.1 earthquake jolted parts of Luzon including Metro Manila on Monday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

The epicenter of the tectonic quake struck 2 km. northeast of Castillejos, Zambales at around 5.11 p.m.

It had a depth of 21 km.

The quake was reported in San Felipe, Zambales and areas of Metro Manila.

Phivolcs said aftershocks and damages are expected from the 5.7 quake. 

Ma. Cristina Arayata /PNA – northboundasia.com</s></s>(3rd UPDATE) Phivolcs warns that aftershocks and damage are expected following the earthquake on Monday, April 22

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – A magnitude 6.1 earthquake rocked parts of Luzon at 5:11 pm on Monday, April 22.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) revised the magnitude upwards, after initially pegging the earthquake at magnitude 5.7.

In a bulletin, Phivolcs said the epicenter of the earthquake was located in Castillejos, Zambales.

The following intensities were recorded:

Phivolcs warned that aftershocks and damage are expected. – Rappler.com</s>A reading from a daily Bible reflection guide for Catholics made the rounds on social media following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that rocked Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The epicenter was recorded at Castillejos, Zambales at around 5:11 p.m. on April 22, but cities within the National Capital Region and some provinces felt the intensity that toppled some structures, particularly in Pampanga.

Minutes after the earthquake struck, a picture was shared on Facebook in which a daily reading of “Didache 2019” went viral for its message that alarmed some social media users.

Some said that it was only a “coincidence” while others claimed that it served as a “warning.”

The reading for that day was titled “The Big One” and it featured the reflection of Joel Saludares, a lay preacher of the Light of Jesus Family, a Catholic community.

“With the scare about the big earthquake that may come and hit Metro Manila, I am wondering why skyscrapers continue to rise,” he wrote.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) previously warned residents living within or near the West Valley Fault to prepare for a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that might occur within our lifetime.

However, it did not consider the 6.1 earthquake on April 22 a major one associated with the fault.

“This is definitely not a major earthquake,” PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum said in an interview.

A Facebook page that supports the Kerygma Family also shared the same viral reading that was posted by the Facebook user.

“Didache 2019” is published by Kerygma Books, the publication arm of the Kerygma Family that is a community of people who supports each other’s growth through daily Bible readings and reflections.

It is headed by Bo Sanchez, a Catholic lay preacher who is also one of the founders of the Light of Jesus Family.</s>LEGAZPI CITY — A 6.5-magnitude earthquake jolted the provinces of Catanduanes, Masbate, Albay, and Sorsogon on Tuesday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

No tsunami warning alert was issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The earthquake of tectonic origin was felt in Catanduanes, Masbate City, Masbate, Sorsogon, Naga City and in this city at intensity 4.

According to Phivolcs, the earthquake occurred at about 1:37 p.m. with a magnitude of 6.5 at the Richter scale and its epicenter is in San Julian, Eastern Samar.

Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, said instruments located the earthquake at 11.78 degrees north, 125.28 degrees east, 19 kilometers north of San Julian, Eastern Samar with depth of 23 kilometers.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol regional director Claudio Yucot urged all Local Disaster Risk Reduction Centers to provide initial situation reports of the incident in their respective localities. Connie Calipay /PNA – northboundasia.com
According to PHIVOLCS, the epicenter of the earthquake is located 18 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Castillejos, Zambales. PHIVOLCS originally records the earthquake, which is tectonic in origin, at magnitude 5.7, but later upgrades it to 6.1.