EARTHQUAKES and CALDERAS

 Psalm 104:31-32

King James Version

31 The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: 

the Lord shall rejoice in his works.

32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: 

he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.

We've been having a spate of earthquakes in the Philippines recently.

Just the other day, my city was hit by an Intensity 5 earthquake at 10:30 a.m.

It may have been brief, but it was enough to make people scramble out of buildings.

And City Hall let out a long, low siren.

After which, long lines formed, mostly teenage students, all bound for home.

Classes on all levels had been suspended.

One government hospital created an outdoor emergency area, to take in at least 46 patients who suffered panic and anxiety attacks.

Older residents surely remembered the terrible 16 July 1990 earthquake that nearly demolished our city.

Was there to be another one of those?

Today, the HOLY SPIRIT led me to something relevant, and interesting.

I learned that close to our country, up north where I live, is the LARGEST caldera in the world.

It's called the Apolaki Caldera:

"The Apolaki Caldera is a volcanic caldera with a diameter of 150 kilometers (93 mi), making it the world's largest caldera. It is located within the Benham Rise (Philippine Rise) and was discovered in 2019 by Jenny Anne Barretto, a Filipino marine geophysicist and her team."

-- Wikipedia

We also learned, from the same source, that it was named after a "god":

"The name "Apolaki" means "giant lord" in Filipino, and is also the name of the god of sun and war in some pantheons in Philippine mythology and the indigenous Philippine folk religions. The volcano has been inactive for millions of years."

Being born again, this watchman doesn't care for "gods".

We're not into idolatry.

We only serve the ONE, TRUE GOD.

As for the "millions of years", then again, we question that.

Answers in Genesis says we have a "young earth", like 6,000 years only.

Before GOD made me born again, I was actually already skeptical about claims of fossils being millions of years.

Somehow, I wondered how scientists were able to determine that far.

My initial instincts were correct.

Going back to our caldera subject, we learn that Apolaki Caldera can be found within the Benham Rise:

"The Benham Rise, formally designated as Philippine Rise (Filipino: Talampas ng Pilipinas)[3][4] by the Philippine government, is an extinct volcanic ridge located in the Philippine Sea approximately 250 kilometers (160 mi) east of the northern coastline of Dinapigue, Isabela."

-- Wikipedia

To make matters more interesting, the Philippines is part of the "Pacific Ring of Fire":

"The Ring of Fire (also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Rim of Fire, the Girdle of Fire or the Circum-Pacific belt)[note 1] is a tectonic belt of volcanoes and earthquakes.

It is about 40,000 km (25,000 mi) long[1] and up to about 500 km (310 mi) wide,[2] and surrounds most of the Pacific Ocean.

The Ring of Fire contains between 750 and 915 active or dormant volcanoes, around two-thirds of the world total.[3][4] The exact number of volcanoes within the Ring of Fire depends on which regions are included.

About 90% of the world's earthquakes,[5] including most of its largest,[6][7] occur within the belt."

-- Wikipedia

Should we be worried?

I only look to the imminence of the Rapture.

Wherein JESUS can return, any moment GOD decides, and believers will meet Him up in the clouds.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

King James Version

16 For the Lord himself 

shall descend from heaven with a shout, 

with the voice of the archangel, 

and with the trump of God: 

and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain 

shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, 

to meet the Lord in the air: 

and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

That's the next timeline in Bible prophecy.

Sure, earthquakes will come, and go.

Volcanoes will erupt, and destroy.

We may all perish.

But are our hearts ready for the LORD?

It's all PREPARATION now.

If we do not heed the LORD's WORD, and commands, we will want the rocks to fall on us, in fear.

Revelation 6:16-17

King James Version

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, 

Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him 

that sitteth on the throne, 

and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17 For the great day of his wrath is come; 

and who shall be able to stand?

Don't wait for earthquakes to happen.

No one can predict that.

WAIT for the LORD instead.

Luke 21:28

King James Version

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, 

then look up, and lift up your heads; 

for your redemption draweth nigh.

But in the meantime, do repent, and believe.

JESUS commanded that:

Mark 1:15

King James Version

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

People from my country may also want to know about other calderas we have:

Corregidor Caldera (Manila Bay)

Mount Pinatubo (Luzon)

Taal Volcano (Luzon)

Laguna Caldera (Luzon)

Irosin Caldera (Luzon)

I don't know which country you're in.

But you may want to know what volcanic calderas may be in your area.

Related material:

GOD is in CONTROL of the CLIMATE

VERSES honoring GOD

WEIRD weather etc

YOUNG earth

GEOLOGY

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

Image: National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)

An ARCHIPELAGO challenge

 

Psalm 93:3

King James Version

3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, 

the floods have lifted up their voice; 

the floods lift up their waves.

My country, the Philippines, probably has the cutest shape.

Her shape has always reminded me of a dog sitting on its haunches.

As an archipelago, she is surrounded by bodies of water.

There's the vast Pacific Ocean to her left, the South China Sea to her west, the Philippine Sea to her east, and Celebes Sea to her south.

We also have our "submarine" trench, the famous/infamous "Philippine Deep".

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize she can be under the mercy of waters.

And this, we are, especially half of the year.

Actually, for sometime now, it's mostly the wet season.

The dry season -- summer -- has gotten shorter.

But thank GOD for only two seasons to deal with.

It's something that's easy to "master".

Except my country seem to have not mastered it yet.

Still, my country is a hardy nation, with friendly people, who have braved the rainy season, the storms, and the monsoon season.

Oftentimes, it's that monsoon season that is tougher than the stormy season.

The storms often augment the monsoon's power.

A couple of weeks ago, my high city to the north has endured two months of non-stop rain, and storms.

The people groaned, "When will this stop?"

The lowlanders groaned, too.

Our dams had to release water because of the volume of rains.

Our mountains released water through rivers, creeks, ditches, and it all flowed to the lowlands.

As you can imagine, much flooding, and destruction, occurred.

It has been so, all the years of my life.

But towns, and cities, became more populated.

Mayors, and governments, approve all that expansion.

But maybe, they had not prioritized town, and city planning.

Do they have a master plan at all?

Maybe, they built houses, rerouting drainage systems.

Or maybe over the drainage system itself.

Judging by the volume of water with no exit, those may be so.

And when they start building high-rises, and malls, there go the drainage for neighboring towns.

We all know water seeks its own level.

We all know she has a mind of her own.

Stop her one way, and she'll find another.

Close off her exit, and she'll merely rise.

If garbage is stuck in the exits, you can expect flooding.

I traveled to the south a few days ago.

I could not believe the murkiness of a large bay.

What has happened to its former beauty?

Now, there are many developments around it.

Of course, it's probably also reflecting the dark sky at 4:00 p.m.

It felt like 7:00 p.m.

And yes, it was raining as I neared my destination.

But I was spared from experiencing what locals reported were floods to the knee.

It doesn't take a genius to determine that water must have an exit.

Where else does it exit but to the sea?

If we keep it inland, you can imagine what it would do to homes, and villages.

The city is clogged with homes, buildings, and developments.

The drains are clogged with garbage.

Would officials' brains be clogged with debris, too?

Is that why they allow contractors to build randomly, and surreptitiously?

I studied architecture.

The government imposed a "building code".

I know about zoning, and such.

I especially love "plumbing", and "electrical" studies.

You may have a pretty home, but if those aren't wisely planned, you'd have problems.

"Structural" stuff I left to the civil engineers.

It's not one of my strengths.

As born again watchman, my strength is the HOLY SPIRIT.

He teaches me all I need to know now, regarding past, present, and future.

He teaches me GOD's ways, versus man's ways.

All is made clear by SPIRIT.

When you open your faucet, water empties down the drain.

It exits through drainage systems.

Imagine if it can't exit.

Your house gets flooded, too.

All that filth and sewage will back up.

Imagine a whole town, or province, experiencing floods.

You will not want to wade in deep water.

There are currents, garbage, and rat droppings.

Even snakes.

So, when I hear of government contractors being held accountable now, I think to myself, it's something that ought to have been done 60 years ago.

What should have been addressed was proper planning, drainage, and zoning, for an expanding population.

Here, alone, is a very telling fact:

"As of July 1, 2024, the Philippines had a population of 112,729,484.[11] More than 60 percent of the country's population live in the coastal zone[475] and in 2020, 54 percent lived in urban areas."

-- Wikipedia

If greed, and self-propagation, were not part of the equation, flood control would have focused on "prevention".

It's really all about foresight, not poor sight.

May government officials wake up.

Too many people have suffered already.

May law makers abide by what JESUS taught us:

John 13:34-35

King James Version

34 A new commandment I give unto you, 

That ye love one another; as I have loved you, 

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know 

that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another.

Related material:

How GOD builds

CARINA the cruel

Many Ways to be Kind

PRAISE village

FRIEND to the POOR

COMFORTING the afflicted

Scripture on HUMAN rights

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

Related video:

Palace: Contractors in anomalous flood control projects to be held accountable | ANC

Image: Clipart Library

A FAIR deal?

 Proverbs 11:1-3

King James Version

11 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: 

but a just weight is his delight.

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: 

but with the lowly is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: 

but the perverseness of transgressors 

shall destroy them.

For the longest time, China was thumbing their noses at my country, the Philippines.

They thought nothing of fishing in our waters.

Neither with intimidating our coast guards, and fishermen, with their strengthened navy.

And only GOD knows how else they have infiltrated my country.

So we bore all that, but things changed since president Trump came into office.

Now, we have military exercises together.

U.S. bases can be found in strategic points all over the Philippines.

Obviously, we are hosting America, in our defense against the encroachment of China.

And most recently, president Ferdinand Marcos Jr was feted at the White House.

FULL: President Trump Oval office remarks with Philippine President

Our president held his own, speaking clearly, and elegantly.

Even as America only gave us a one percent reduction on our tariffs, now at 19%.

But president Marcos didn't scoff at the reduction.

As expected, those in opposition thought the reduction "humiliating".

Well, the Philippines does have a US4.9-B trade deficit with the United States.

The report above states it is 21.8% higher than in 2023.

There will be zero tariffs on American cars.

And you know how Trump loves cars.

He's been pretty steady about making America "great again".

Apart from the fact he is master negotiator.

Let's not forget that, even if he praises Marcos as a tough negotiator.

No way will Trump be out-negotiated.

It is the plight of the Philippines.

We will be subject to greater economies than ours.

We need a stronger economy.

But we do have a strategic location in the Pacific, and America knows that.

We also have an English-speaking, hardworking, friendly population.

Not to mention our rich, natural resources.

We certainly are an attractive nation to many.

Even as "corruption" has been spoken of, too.

America will bring in her soy, wheat, and pharma exports.

She is big on pharma, for sure.

Our generic products have come from India, thus, the sprouting of many generic drug stores.

India is also known for her fine medical doctors, and industries.

Now, America's come back big time.

This born again watchman is familiar with the medical field, and American business.

My late father used to prescribe top medicines from the U.S., Germany, France, Switzerland, and Japan.

Those were the days before generics came in.

I was also with the American Chamber at one time, and have become familiar with business meetings, which I covered for our monthly "Business Journal".

I can say that the Americans treated us fairly.

They worked at great lengths, with our local businessmen.

But we scared them off with our militants.

It may not be so now, because Trump has no use for such.

In the full interview above, he remarked how he drove ISIS out of the Philippines.

We also recall how president Marcos Jr's father was ousted from Malacanang, and the Aquino administration took over.

We have not recovered since, from various presidents.

And I always looked to how our relations with China were.

I feared our presidents were not strong in protecting our country.

Apart from old man Marcos who seemed to have friendly relations with most countries of the world.

The Philippines was able to hold her own then, even hosting many international events.

Until the left, and locals, protested at the Marcoses' excess, and corruption.

But now that the younger Marcos is in charge, and Trump is in charge, there is a proposed ammunitions hub in Subic.

Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro says to expect between 200-300 tech experts to work there.

That will also provide jobs for locals -- hopefully.

Young Marcos calls our re-established relationship with America as a "self-reliance defense program".

We also have our "Mutual Defense Treaty".

We shall see how that all works out, but definitely, we NEED America.

China has bullied us too long.

How far we capitulate, or compromise, to America's demands and to her strength, only GOD, and the proponents know.

Shall we trust America, then?

This article SPIRIT and I wrote on 6 March 2025 may be of help:

"Love him, or hate him, GOD chose him"

Related material:

A HISTORIC president

A RESILIENT race

GOD and Spratlys

On the PHILIPPINES

ARTICLES on AMERICA

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

Related article:

Trump strikes tariff deal with Japan, auto stocks surge

Related videos:

She Ruined Her Nation: The Rise and Fall of Imelda Marcos || Full Documentary

Marcos, Trump Confirm Subic Bay Ammo Hub Plan in the Philippines | Taiwan Talks EP679

BORN on TOP of a GOLD mine

 

Proverbs 17:3

King James Version

3 The fining pot is for silver, 

and the furnace for gold: 

but the Lord trieth the hearts.

I was born on top of a gold mine.

I used to say that.

Only because my brothers would joke me.

They'd brand me a "native", an "Igorot".

Knowing I was born up in the mountains.

While they were city boys.

So I got creative.

Even then, my tongue got the better of me.

And thought up something, saying proudly:

"I was born on top of a gold mine."

And they'd be stumped, for a moment.

I bet they didn't know that.

That there was gold in them thar mountains.

The very mountains I was born in.

Where our father was company physician.

I was born on top of Suyoc Mines.

One of the oldest mines in the Philippines.

Now, I don't know if there's still gold.

If the mother lode was discovered, and all that.

But I did come across this recent article today:

"Indigenous Philippine village rejects gold mine, cites flawed consultation"

I also learned, from looking into "Mankayan", where the mine was located, that there were nearly 14,000 people living there when I was born in the 60s.

Now, they're over 37,000.

Other info that I unraveled revealed that Apex Mining Co., Inc. (ticker symbol APX) acquired Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI) in June 2015.

Hmm...

There still seems to be gold in them thar mines.

My family stayed only for a year while I was a baby.

My mom developed allergies.

Maybe from the water, or something.

Or maybe, she got lonely up there.

So, back to the city we went.

I've become a city girl.

I have no love for gold.

A born again has no love for gold.

We can't take that where we're going.

Job 1:21

King James Version

21 And said, 

Naked came I out of my mother's womb,

 and naked shall I return thither: 

the Lord gave, 

and the Lord hath taken away; 

blessed be the name of the Lord.

No filthy lucre for us.

Only a LOVE for GOD.

1 Peter 5:2-4

King James Version

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, 

taking the oversight thereof, 

not by constraint, but willingly; 

not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, 

but being examples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, 

ye shall receive a crown of glory 

that fadeth not away.

But it seems I've always had an interest in "geology".

This article was actually a result of something I had watched today.

About a Filipino geologist gone bad.

Listening to the report, I got back to my roots.

Thus, this article.

And another, after this.

On what kind of GEOLOGIST I'd like to have become.

Starting with a look at grandfather's river stones.

Related material:

BORN AGAIN articles

Image: Open Street Map

Our THREE countries

 Isaiah 31:1

King James Version

31 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; 

and stay on horses, 

and trust in chariots, 

because they are many; 

and in horsemen, because they are very strong; 

but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, 

neither seek the Lord!

My stand remains the same.

For whatever country in the world is involved.

We cannot rely on our own wisdom.

We cannot rely on our own strength.

We cannot rely on our own unity.

We need GOD.

We need His Son, JESUS.

We need to be taught by the HOLY SPIRIT.

We need to be born again, that we may have SPIRIT.

There can be no peace, until we believe in JESUS, the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6-7

King James Version

6 For unto us a child is born, 

unto us a son is given: 

and the government shall be upon his shoulder: 

and his name shall be called Wonderful, 

Counsellor, 

The mighty God, 

The everlasting Father, 

The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace 

there shall be no end, 

upon the throne of David, 

and upon his kingdom,

 to order it, 

and to establish it with judgment 

and with justice 

from henceforth even for ever. 

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

All our attempts at peace are futile, unless we all believe in the same GOD.

Exodus 3:6

King James Version

6 Moreover he said, 

I am the God of thy father, 

the God of Abraham, 

the God of Isaac, 

and the God of Jacob. 

And Moses hid his face; 

for he was afraid to look upon God.

Matthew 22:32

King James Version

32 I am the God of Abraham, 

and the God of Isaac, 

and the God of Jacob? 

God is not the God of the dead, 

but of the living.

Acts 3:13-15

King James Version

13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, 

the God of our fathers, 

hath glorified his Son Jesus; 

whom ye delivered up, 

and denied him in the presence of Pilate, 

when he was determined to let him go.

14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, 

and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

15 And killed the Prince of life, 

whom God hath raised from the dead; 

whereof we are witnesses.

As it is, the Philippines is primarily Roman Catholic.

The U.S. took out GOD from their government.

Japan believes in many other gods.

But we all worship the same god.

The god of money.

Which JESUS warned us about:

Matthew 6:24

King James Version

24 No man can serve two masters: 

for either he will hate the one, and love the other; 

or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Today, the U.S., Japan, and Philippines are united against provocations from China.

The Philippines' navy and fishermen are constantly harassed by China.

We do not have the capability to defend ourselves.

We are an archipelago, surrounded by oceans.

We need superb air, sea, and land defense systems.

Which our presidents haven't really looked into, surprisingly.

We are like "sitting ducks" in an ocean of plenty.

Everyone knows the resources we have.

And the strategic importance we have.

Of course we are grateful for any help from other countries.

Granted that there's no hidden agenda.

It's election season in the U.S.

Also, our three countries had a dark past.

The Americans occupied us before.

The Japanese did the same.

The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

The Americans bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

And today, we're all friends.

Such is human nature.

Fragile.

Flimsy.

Fearful.

That's why the Bible warns us:

Psalm 118:8-9

King James Version

8 It is better to trust in the Lord 

than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the Lord 

than to put confidence in princes.

I trust the LORD alone.

In GOD is LOVE.

Jeremiah 31:3

King James Version

3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, 

saying, 

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: 

therefore with lovingkindness 

have I drawn thee.

In JESUS is GRACE and TRUTH.

John 1:17

King James Version

17 For the law was given by Moses, 

but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

In SPIRIT is LIBERTY.

2 Corinthians 3:17

King James Version

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: 

and where the Spirit of the Lord is, 

there is liberty.

If we are a true born again, we will rely on GOD alone.

We will not have hidden agendas.

We will not plot against each other.

We will not plot against any other country.

We live by GOD's laws.

Realizing that, without JESUS, we can do nothing.

John 15:5-7

King James Version

5 I am the vine, 

ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, 

he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; 

and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, 

and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, 

and my words abide in you, 

ye shall ask what ye will, 

and it shall be done unto you.

And if we're not born again?

We're toast.

Matthew 13:41-43

King James Version

41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, 

and they shall gather out of his kingdom 

all things that offend, 

and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: 

there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth 

as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. 

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

P.S. 

China's response to the trilateral agreement among the THREE countries can be heard here.

Related material:

GOD and Spratlys

LEADERS for GOD

EVERYTHING belongs to GOD

It's all PREPARATION now

For the HEALING of nations

GOD's power over nations

SOUL-saving WORD

born again observations on war

GOD's WORD forever

On GOVERNMENTS

Scripture on HUMAN rights

FORTIFY your FORTRESS

BORN AGAIN articles

The BALIKBAYAN box

2 Corinthians 9:7

King James Version

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, 

so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: 

for God loveth a cheerful giver.

It all started with the "covetousness" article.

Wherein I wondered if we Filipinos had stuff in that cargo ship.

You know, the one that hit the bridge.

I'd be surprised if we didn't.

So, that made me remember the "balikbayan" box.

Our famous creation.

Who is a cheerful giver?

The one who sends a balikbayan box.

Who is a cheerful receiver?

The one who receives a balikbayan box.

What is "balikbayan"?

"Balik" means "return".

"Bayan" means "town".

So, "balikbayan" means "someone who returns to his town".

Now, if you can't return to your town, you can always send a box.

Our now infamous "balikbayan" box.

That LARGE, square box.

What do you put in the box?

Goodies.

Gadgets.

Gifts.

You are not Filipino, if you're an overseas worker, and you haven't sent one to your folks back home.

You are not Filipino, if you do not delight in receiving one.

All of us who have sent one, or two, or three, imagine the delight in our loved ones' faces.

All who have received one, or two, or three, literally jump, and squeal in delight.

We Filipinos are a simple people.

Those of us who are not spoiled, are grateful for everything.

If we receive a balikbayan box, who's to say we won't jump in glee?

And, of course, the GREATEST fun is in the sharing.

Something, for every one.

We realize the hard work, and efforts, of our loved ones abroad.

We know they skimp on their food, and essentials.

Just so they can send us that glorious balikbayan box.

That awesome box which patiently rides those cargo ships.

Which we eventually receive, a month, or two, after it's been sent.

And sometimes, not at all.

It's not unheard of they get lost at sea.

Or get lost in someone else's home, after it's pilfered.

Or the box gets opened, to see if there's contraband.

Or opened by "inspectors", keeping a few things for themselves.

Gone are the days you can just about send anything you want.

Food stuff, clothes, toiletries, tiny appliances, gadgets, and such.

I once packed a wine bottle in each boot.

We have to get creative, you see.

We have to max the box.

Meaning, we cram everything we can cram in there.

With the idea if they toss that box aboard, nothing gets displaced.

And nothing really does.

But we have to make sure all sides, corners, top, and bottom, are sealed with wide packing tape.

I even had to sit on one such box, so that the top won't open, as my relatives sealed it.

Oh, the things we go through for our loved ones!

Just knowing we thought of their every need, makes us smile.

Even if they wonder why we pack soap, shampoo, and detergent beside the chocolates.

You can imagine how the chocolates taste, after a month at sea.

But, do we receivers complain?

Nope.

We're mighty grateful.

We Filipinos are usually a happy lot.

GOD made us naturally cheerful, and creative.

Like I said, if we have not been spoiled.

Do you have such balikbayan boxes in your country?

It's really fun to receive one.

Go, fill one.

Go, send one.

Go, wait for one.

Just don't mix soap, and chocolates.

And you'll see what I mean.

Related material:

World WITHOUT covetousness

Balikbayan box

Images: Clipart Library