In Bogo City, Cebu, store owner Ethel Unabia gave away her entire grocery stock to earthquake survivors.

When the 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Bogo City, Cebu, Ethel Unabia’s small store in Barangay Polambato shook violently — but what remained unshaken was her compassion. Unabia, a small grocery store owner, was among those affected by the earthquake that killed dozens and displaced thousands in northern Cebu. But instead of keeping what little she had left, she decided to give it all away. In a viral video, Unabia is seen handing out groceries from her small shop — canned goods, soft drinks, instant noodles, toiletries, and snacks — to her neighbours who lost everything. “They need it, and we can’t turn them away because this is an emergency,” she said in Cebuano. Asked if she was worried about losing all her stock, Unabia only smiled through tears. “It’s okay, I can earn it back. What matters is that everyone’s safe,” she said. Unabia said her grocery supplies is worth P19,000, admitting that she used her savings and borrowed money to replenish the store before the quake hit. Her act of generosity has inspired countless Filipinos online. Many called her the face of modern bayanihan, a reminder that kindness doesn’t come from abundance, but from empathy. As northern Cebu continues to rebuild, stories like Unabia’s have become a symbol of hope — proof that in times of disaster, the Filipino heart remains open. CAM/ICA/Expat Media
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