Bohol earthquake video: Collapse of bell tower of the oldest Catholic Church in the Philippines

Belfry collapses. Screengrab from Alain Avelino's video.

The 16th century Basilica Minore del Santo Nino in Cebu City is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the country, purportedly built on the spot where the image of the Santo Nino de Cebu was found in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi.

This historic church was damaged by the 7.2 magnitude quake that struck the region along with 9 other churches in Cebu and Bohol. Bystander Alain Avelino caught on video the collapse of the oldest church tower in the Philippines.

Screengrabs from Alain Avelino's video

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (New International Version)
"3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."

Luke 21:9-11 (New International Version)
"9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

"10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."

According to Heritage Conservation Society, at least 10 churches were damaged by the quake. They include: In Bohol: Church of San Pedro Apostol, Loboc, Church of Our Lady of Light, Loon, Santissima Trinidad Parish, Loay, Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Baclayon, Church  of Our Lady of the Assumption, Dauis, San Nicolas Church, Dimiao, Santa Cruz Parish Church, Maribojoc. In Cebu:Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and St Catherine's Church, Carcar, Cebu

The biggest church in Bohol, the Church of Nuestra Senora de la Luz in Loon
described as the Queen of All Heritage Churches in Bohol.

The Loon church now leveled to the ground after the quake. Photo: PAF-PIO