What was meant to be a dazzling night of beauty and celebration turned into moments of fear when a powerful earthquake struck Cebu during the Miss Asia-Pacific International (MAPI) 2025 Gala Night on Tuesday, September 30, Gulf News reported.

The 6.9-magnitude tremor hit just as 43 candidates, including the Philippines’ Anita Rose Gomez and reigning queen Janelis Leyba of the United States, gathered at a luxury hotel in Cebu. Delegates and staff were swiftly evacuated and ushered to safety.

In a statement, the MAPI Organisation confirmed that all candidates and personnel are safe.

“Following the 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, we would like to assure everyone that all Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 candidates and the MAPI Organisation team are safe and well. We extend our deepest gratitude to Radisson Blu Cebu for their swift and professional response in implementing safety measures during the tremor,” the group said.

As a precaution, all scheduled events for October 1 have been cancelled while organisers assess the situation.

Solidarity across pageant world

The global pageant community expressed solidarity with Cebu.

The Miss Philippines Organisation said: “In this time of grief and recovery, we stand with our brothers and sisters in Cebu. Together, let us continue to uphold the spirit of bayanihan and work towards rebuilding stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.”

The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Organisation also extended sympathy, noting in an Instagram post: “Our hearts are with every community, especially our Cebuano partners and delegates. We believe in the strength of bayanihan and the resilience of the Filipino spirit.”