Looking back, it was exactly 4:26 p.m. on Monday, 16 July 1990, that a killer earthquake unexpectedly hit and extensively devastated the City of Baguio in the Philippines. As reported, the powerful temblor measured 7.7 in the open-ended Richter scale and lasted for 45 seconds. It was said to be the most destructive earthquake on record within the Cordillera Region. There were numerous aftershocks that followed and the strongest, which occurred at 3:15 a.m. of July 18, lasted for eight seconds … and measured 5.3 on the Richter scale.
The five-star Hyatt Terraces Plaza sustained the worst damage when its terraced front collapsed onto the lobby area, killing about 50 people. The Baguio Park Hotel along Harrison Road was a total wreck. The luxurious Nevada Hotel which is located right across from the main gate of Camp John Hay was ripped in half by the quake, leaving a huge gash in the middle of the structure. The Saint Vincent Catholic Church along Naguilian Road was spared by the strong quake, however a portion of its retaining wall and parking area was damaged and collapsed to the road below. The church, which has withstood typhoons, bombings during the 2nd World War, and other disasters, suffered only minor damage.