How prepared are the Makati, BGC, and Rockwell condos for earthquakes?

Yesterday I was at NAIA, and I couldn't help noticing that the overpasses and elevated roadways (e.g., the NAIA Expressway, NAIAx) lack the advanced seismic base isolation devices found in modern structures like Bangkok's transport infrastructure. Bangkok uses lead-rubber bearings to separate its roads from violent ground motion. I was shocked to learn that Manila's older airport connector roads mainly rely on conventional rigid structures or ordinary rubber pads that can't absorb shocks. When you think about it, this is a huge vulnerability, since these roads sit on soft, saturated soil near Manila Bay, where liquefaction and lateral spreading are likely. For example, if a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hits along the West Valley Fault, these rigid joints could fracture or snap under strong lateral forces. On top of that, there's the historical structural threat of poor construction materials like quench-and-tempered rebar, which has weak resistance to repeated loading and can break under reversed seismic loads.

I live in Bangkok, and I think condo quality is probably similar to the Philippines'. Even with large earthquakes, nothing collapsed, and everything was repaired. The only building that collapsed was one still under construction that used substandard rebar. So I don't think there's anything to worry about.

Many of the prominent high-rises in BGC and Makati were designed by US architecture and engineering firms or other foreign companies (in collaboration with local firms). For example... Zuellig Building (S.O.M., Chicago) GT International Tower (KPF, New York) LKG Tower (KPF, New York) The Estate Makati (Foster + Partners, London, UK) Arthaland Century Pacific Tower (SOM, Chicago) The Finance Center (Gensler, San Francisco, California) W City Center BGC (CAZA, New York) W Fifth Avenue BGC (Arquitectonica, Miami, Florida) New Senate Building BGC (AECOM, Los Angeles, California) Unless you see the construction site yourself, local high-rises can be a gamble... If you live in a condo in a high-rise designed by a foreign firm, your wallet will definitely take a hit. ✌🏼

'Meets the standard'? What foreign language is that? Joking aside, condos in Makati, BGC, and Rockwell are probably fine. The key word is 'probably.'