...Editorial...

-Iyla Marie D. Ferrer 6- St. Peter

The earthquake in Haiti was probably the worst natural calamity that happened on earth in two centuries. A massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake had struck the nation. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has suffered a number of recent disasters, including hurricanes and storms in 2008 that killed hundreds. The extend of the devastation of the earthquake that hit the country last January 13, 2010 fears that thousands of people may have died.

Aids from many countries, especially the rich nations, were overwhelming. They sent medical teams, rescuers, engineers and support personnel. All of these humanitarian aids were also given to us here in the Philippines when we were struck with great flooding. Earthquakes and floods are some of the natural calamities that happened here on earth.

What causes an earthquake? Earthquakes are caused due to disturbance in the movement of tectonic plates. Trees were stripped off of mountains. Haiti, being a poor nation, use trees as fuel. This nation has lost 98% of its tree cover. It is almost completely brown and bare. This was why Haiti suffers periodic natural occurrence impact like earthquakes and hurricanes.

Like Haiti, Philippines suffers destructive calamities every year. It is situated in this place called the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Marikina fault line lies northeast of MArikina and extends down to the south. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7 or higher is sure to hit Metro Manila but nobody can predict when this may happen. Now, the question is, are we, Filipinos, are ready of this?