Jhong Hilario (middle) with his partner Maia Azores and their daughter Sarina. Image: Instagram/@maialevisteazores
Jhong Hilario, his partner Maia Azores and their two-year-old daughter Sarina had a traumatizing experience during their Japan trip, as they were on the 22nd floor of a hotel when a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit the country on New Year’s Day.
The family of three were cozy in their hotel room in Osaka when the quake—whose epicenter was recorded in Ishikawa Prefecture—happened, as seen on the “It’s Showtime” host’s Facebook page on Monday, Jan. 1.
Hilario led a prayer while Sarina was lying in bed. Maia, meanwhile, wanted them three to get out of the building, but the TV host said it was not advisable as the elevators wouldn’t be working during an earthquake.
“Earthquake in Osaka, Japan from the 22nd floor. Thank you Lord, safe kami lahat,” he said in the caption. “Praying for those who are affected.”
In an exclusive interview shown on “TV Patrol,” Hilario said they got out of their room when the tremors stopped. He added how unlike them, others weren’t panicking because such occurrences are already “normal” for them.
“[Traumatizing para kay Maia] kasi first time niyang maramdaman ‘yon na gano’n kami kataas,” he stated. “Tsaka medyo nakakatakot din kasi may tsunami warning daw. So at least—thank God—safe kami nakauwi.”
(It was traumatizing for Maia because it was the first time she experienced an earthquake while in a high area. It was also terrifying because there was a tsunami warning. But thank God we got home safe.)
Hilario, Azores and Sarina were able to return safely to the Philippines on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
The death toll from the massive Japan earthquake has risen to 62 as of this writing.