Jhong Hilario shares scary experience with family when earthquake hit during their Japan trip

Jhong Hilario recalled his family’s scary experience during their vacation when a 7.5 earthquake struck Japan on New Year’s Day. 

The It’s Showtime detailed their encounter during his interview with TV Patrol on Wednesday, Jan. 3. According to him, they were staying in their hotel room in Osaka, Japan when the earthquake hit.

“Nasa 22nd floor kami kaya ramdam na ramdam namin and talagang nakita namin 'yung umuga 'yung buong building,” he began, sharing that his wife Maia had been asking him to go downstairs for their safety. 

"Sabi ko, hindi gagana talaga 'yung elevator 'pag ganyan eh. Saka mahirap 'pag nai-stuck ka sa elevator, hindi ka makakalabas na,” he said. “Pag nag-stairs naman kami, sobrang taas eh meron na kaming bata," he added. 

The host-politician shared that when the shaking stopped, they immediately went downstairs, noticing that no other guests were panicking or leaving their respective rooms. 

"Lumabas kami and then tinignan namin kung may mga nagbabaan, wala. Pero meron kaming nakitang room service, tinanong namin. [Sabi ko] 'There’s an earthquake.' Sabi [niya], 'Oh yeah, it's normal.' So sa kanila parang normal na," he shared. 

“Meron kaming mga foreigners din na nakausap, parang natakot din sila kasi siyempre taga ibang lugar sila,” he added, “Kumbaga ang mga relaxed lang e ‘yung mga taga-Japan, e kasi parang sanay na sanay na sila.” 

Looking back, he shared that that whole experience was "traumatizing" but he is grateful his family was able to go back home safely. 

Jhong, Maia, and their daughter Sarina safely returned to the Philippines on Tuesday, Jan. 2. 

The earthquake that rattled Japan on New Year's Day has left 62 people confirmed dead and more than 300 injured as of writing.