After the strong earthquake that hit North Cebu, my auntie’s house was no longer safe to live in. The walls had cracks, and the structure seemed weak. Every time there was an aftershock, we would feel scared that the house might fall. Because of that, my family decided to look for a place to stay temporarily while waiting for things to get better. We wanted somewhere safe, quiet, and comfortable enough for us to rest.
After searching for some options, we decided to rent a room at Reyche Hometel. It was not too far from where we needed to be, and the price was affordable for us. Since we were still recovering from the fear and stress caused by the earthquake, we agreed to just rent one room. We didn’t want to live in a big place yet because we were still traumatized and wanted to feel safe and close to one another.
The room we chose costs ₱4,000 per month, which is already reasonable for a temporary stay. It was simple but had the basic things we needed.
Inside, there was a cabinet where we could keep our clothes and small things.
There was also a double deck bed, which was perfect for us because it could fit two people comfortably. The bed was soft enough, and it felt good to finally have a place to rest after everything that happened.
The comfort room was already built inside the room, which was very convenient. It had a sink and a mirror, so we didn’t need to share with other tenants. It made our stay more comfortable and private.
There was also a small kitchen area, which had another sink and a small storage space where we could keep plates, cups, and other kitchen items. Even if the place was small, it was organized and complete enough for our needs.
We also learned that in another building of Reyche Hometel, there were two-storey units available for rent. Those were bigger and cost around ₱12,000 per month. They looked nice and spacious, but we decided not to get one since it was more expensive and we only needed a small place for now. We wanted to save money because we didn’t know how long we would have to stay away from my auntie’s house.
Our room might be small compared to the others, but it gave us a sense of safety and peace. What mattered most to us was that we were together and that the place was stable and quiet. At night, we could finally sleep better without worrying too much about aftershocks. Whenever we heard slight shaking, we just comforted each other and prayed that everything would soon be okay.
During the day, we would tidy up the room, arrange our things, and try to make the place feel more like home. My mother and auntie placed a few small items on the shelves to make it look cozier. We cooked simple meals in the small kitchen and shared stories while eating. Even though we missed the comfort of our old house, we were thankful to have a safe space to stay in while we recover from what happened.
Living at Reyche Hometel taught us to appreciate simple things. We realized that we didn’t need a big or fancy house to feel secure what we needed most was safety and family. It also reminded us that home is not just about the building itself but about the people we share it with.
Every morning, I would wake up, look around our small room, and feel grateful. It might not be perfect, but it was our home for now. We had a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and a roof over our heads. Most importantly, we were safe and together.
Even though this experience came from something tragic, it showed us how to be strong and thankful. Reyche Hometel became a small but meaningful part of our journey after the earthquake. It gave us a place to rest, recover, and start healing as a family.