“I immediately ran out of my room when I felt the strong earthquake. I was terrified.”
 
This was how Ernesto Sadang of Paoay survived the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that gravely hit northern Luzon on July 27 at around 8:43 a.m.
 
Residents of Ilocos Norte felt the strong shaking.
 
While others’ initial instinct was to go to open spaces, it was a muscle memory for some employees to conduct “duck, cover, and hold” in their offices.
 
In a Facebook post, a professor from Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City, triggered her trauma from the 1990 magnitude 7.8 killer earthquake in Baguio City.
 
“I was crying while it was happening. I held on tight to my co-worker. I was the first to run out from out dean’s office,” Prof. Kathleen Aguilar narrated.
 
She also said a student was terribly shaking and had a panic attack because of the earthquake.
 
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), said a magnitude 7 is considered a destructive earthquake and there must be presence of mind and alertness to survive a strong earthquake.
 
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) gave out these survival tips during a tremor:
 
1.  When you are inside a structurally sound building or house, stay there.
 
2.  Drop, cover, and hold on. Duck under a sturdy desk or table and hold on to it.
 
3.  Stay away from glass windows, shelves, cabinets, and other heavy objects
 
4.  Try to stay calm as possible.
 
5.  Beware of falling debris. Be alert and keep your eyes open.
 
6.  Once the shaking stops, take the fastest and safest way out of the building.
 
It is natural to panic during disasters, but presence of mind can save lives.
 
Knowing, understanding, and taking into heart the importance of disaster and emergency drills can prevent casualties and further injuries. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/PIA Ilocos Norte)