Cebu, Philippines

Hosts support first responders in the Philippines

An unexpected Airbnb.org stay brings guests and hosts together to do more good after a devastating earthquake

Two hosts sit next to one another on the couch smiling at the camera.

“I can never forget how someone relayed their survival story to me. He told us that it was scary but that he’s okay because everyone in his family survived. Several houses away that was not the case. A family died.”

- Raffy M., Airbnb.org guest and Executive Director of Angat Buhay

On September 30th, 2025 right before 10:00 PM, a devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the northern part of the province of Cebu in the Philippines. Seventy-nine people lost their lives. More than 128,000 families are reported to have been affected, and more than 18,000 homes were damaged. At least 3,500 of those were destroyed.

A building is collapsed on the street due to a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, Philippines.

That same night, the team at Angat Buhay mobilized, an Airbnb.org partner and a Filipino-led nonprofit founded in the spirit of bayanihan—a Filipino term for both unity and action in a community—their large team mobilized to get aid in the hands of survivors.Raphael (“Raffy”) M., Executive Director of Angat Buhay, brought his team of volunteers to affected locations—delivering aid in many forms, from hygiene kits to facilitating medical intervention where necessary.

Volunteers from nonprofit organization Angat Buhay are giving out food and supplies to residents in Cebu, Philippines after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake.

“We haven’t felt in recent times that kind of really strong earthquake, so this was kind of surreal and we didn’t know how to react to it. Every part of Cebu, the buildings were shaking hard.”

- Pau G., Airbnb.org host

Airbnb hosts Mia S. and Pau G. were at home in Cebu City when the first tremor hit. Though the damage in Cebu City was not as extensive as it was up north, Mia and Pau still felt it strike. They were terrified for their family and for their guests. When they learned more about the devastation in the north, Mia and Pau wanted to help in any way they could. As they attempted to contact Angat Buhay on their own to offer to help or volunteer, shortly after they received a notification that their listing was being booked for an Airbnb.org stay.

Destruction of a home after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, Philippines.

An Airbnb.org host Mia S. hugs her Airbnb.org guest, Menard from the Filipino nonprofit Angat Buhay.

When their guests arrived, Mia and Pau were surprised—they were first responders from Angat Buhay. The very team they were trying to reach. “It was an amazing coincidence that it was the same organization we were hoping to reach out to that's staying in our houses," Mia said.As they welcomed members of the Angat Buhay team, Mia and Pau felt glad they were able to offer sanctuary to the team from one of the country’s largest volunteer networks.

“This is a great help to small organizations, especially to NGOs with little resources. Their funds should really go to the ones in need… to the needs of the community.”

- Menard, Airbnb.org guest and Angat Buhay staff member

He said during past relief operations, volunteers and staff have sometimes slept on the floor in offices with nothing but bedsheets to save money. Or they arranged for teams to stay in hotels, which drives up costs.This time felt different since he and other first responders from Angat Buhay were provided free, emergency housing through Airbnb.org. It gave them moments of peace after 14-16 hour days in the field and meant their funds could go to helping survivors first.

Angat Buhay volunteer is giving supplies to a young child after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, Philippines.

“Helping each other without expecting anything in return. It’s a natural Filipino trait.”

- Pau G., Airbnb.org host

In the Philippines bayanihan is more than a word. This spirit of giving and sharing the load is a key tenant, a value that extends beyond the individual to lift up everyone in the community.Mia said, “Airbnb.org opened our eyes that we have this resource that we can offer up to help in times of need.”

Airbnb.org guest Menard with his Airbnb.org hosts Mia S. and Pau G. sitting on a couch together and smiling at the camera.

Mia and Pau hope that their story inspires others to become Airbnb.org hosts. After hosting Raffy, they even joined him and Angat Buhay in the field to volunteer themselves.To Mia and Pau, hosting captures the spirit of bayanihan — in the Philippines and beyond.