UP Ibalon Bicol

Many are wondering how the people in the medieval city of L Aquila and neighboring environs are coping with the strong earthquake that brought death to close to 300 people, damaged more than 10,000 buildings and rendered 58,000 people homeless. 33,000 emergency tents were set up to house those who were displaced.

"There is little industry here, the economy was based on the students from out of town, and they are not coming back for a long time," said Daniele Cerrone, who owned a pub in L'Aquila's ravaged historic center. "In the meantime what are we going to do? Buy clothes and go the pub between ourselves?"----AP/ Yahoo. News (04/15/09, David, A)

The suffering and uncertainty of the earthquake victims aren’t shared by the local Italians alone. Scores of immigrants from Peru, India, the Philippines and neighboring countries who set up their lives in their adopted land sought refuge in tent shelters after their homes were leveled on the ground. Filipino expatriates Julyn Macabenta and Shane Cipriano who lost their home were among the thousands who were displaced.

It will take years for the city ravaged by the earthquake to recover. With many aftershocks, the April 6 tremblor with an intensity of 6.3 has raised a rebuilding dilemma which is estimated to cost $12 billion euros ($16 billion dollars)---Bloomberg.com (04/14/09, Krause-Jackson, F.)(Photo Credit: AP/ Alessandra Tarantino)=0=

=========================================================