Ruby Tower

The Ruby Tower was a six-story building in Manila, Philippines, completed around 1965, which tragically collapsed during the 1968 Casiguran earthquake, resulting in over 250 fatalities. Located in the Santa Cruz district, it housed both commercial spaces and residential units, accommodating up to 1,000 people. The earthquake, measuring 7.3 in magnitude, struck early in the morning, leading to a massive rescue effort involving over 6,000 volunteers and military personnel from the Philippines and the United States. The disaster prompted significant changes in building regulations in the Philippines, including the establishment of a national building code. Today, the Ruby Tower Memorial Hall stands on the site, honoring the victims with photographs and serving as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness.