Anyway, I’m glad to share my recollections on the Sichuan quake. Surviving a major earthquake twice in my life makes the telling more vivid. I experienced a similar one in Iloilo City in 1990 that epicentered in Baguio City. Back then, I watched the buildings in my university (San Agustin) sway and sustain damage while I was outside, at ground level. This time though I was inside a high-rise apartment while people at ground level watched my building sway and sustain damage and were probably waiting to see it collapse.

I forgot to mention that after the major quake and after every succeeding aftershock that lasted for weeks, all high-rise apartments were off limits to anyone except authorities who’d inspect the buildings for damage. Their safety checks would sometimes take all night and unless they give the go signal for us to reoccupy the buildings, we had to sleep out in the streets or in evacuation centers.

As for WIL’s comment on mobilization of manpower, I totally agree that many countries can respond with the same speed, efficiency and determination in the face of disaster as China. The only difference is that with China’s massive proletariat population commoner volunteerism without regard for personal safety is very high. And the numbers are just staggering. A common objective like a disaster or an enemy is like glue that binds them almost immediately making coordinated action easier. This phenomenon is everywhere not just in disasters. I see it even in construction sites I have visited in my rounds as an architect. On a relatively small building you see as many as a thousand workers, half of which are doing their work while the other half just stand there doing nothing. But they get their work done in record time. I see a lot of loopholes in this strange behavior (quality is one of them) but this is probably how China, with its inexhaustible ever-willing cheap labor, has achieved tremendous growth in such a short time.

I appreciate all the other comments, rest assured that everything here is back to normal. Thank you also Ferdz for mentioning the Iloilo Flood which has affected so many of my “kasimanwa”, that’s another disaster story I have to tell some other day…

John
Chengdu, Sichuan China
jctiampong@yahoo.com
http://johncarlotiampong.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog/

Hi Wil, you are right that not only in communist countries are capable of a fast response. Though in China’s case they are just really capable, having plenty of resources and technologies to handle the situation easily.

Oggie, I thought that it would be better we get a different perspective and experience from a fellow kababayan on this matter. And John, as I noticed also has a literary gift.

Many thanks for the kind words Eric. That Tia Fu plaza is a real wonder of sights and sounds.

Thanks Acey.

Barrycade. I do hope that prophecy doesn’t happen here.

I love that plaza as well BW, will post more details of that later.

Thanks Prinsesa Musang. Am glad the earthquakes are gone as well.