SINGAPORE — Sarawak-born Henry Golding was up on Mount Kinabalu a few months before the earthquake of June 5. “It’s unsettling that it (the quake) could have struck at any moment, there really is no way of predicting these things.”

Indeed, it shocked many of us in Singapore and hit close to home — 10 of the 19 victims were school children and teachers from Tanjong Katong Primary School. Like Golding pointed out, it’s unsettling to know that a 6.0 quake could occur in an area that’s largely earthquake-free, and this is what he will be learning about in a new documentary Sabah Earthquake Decoded, which airs tonight on Discovery Channel.

Besides tracing the steps of the survivors, Golding travelled with seismic experts to learn about the new shifting fault lines in the region.

“The aim of the programme is to tell the survivors’ stories and give voice to the scientists who research seismology and geology in the area,” explained Golding. “It was an absolute privilege working on it — the storytelling in the programme is outstanding. We tried to cover all the bases, and Emile Guertin, the executive producer, weaved in so many narratives.”

Many of these stories left the Fly Entertainment artiste moved. “I learnt the human spirit of survival and selflessness are strong within all of us. Mountain guides, porters and random climbers all helped those in need, some sacrificing their own lives for the sake of others,” he said.

Discovery was the first international broadcaster to be granted access to the area after the disaster, and filming at Mount Kinabalu had its fair share of challenges. Golding and team faced a “terrible storm” where the trail turned into a gushing waterfall, a situation that even their guides and rangers rarely encountered. Thank goodness the weather cleared up the next day. This experience on Mount Kinabalu and filming Sabah Earthquake Decoded also left a deep impression on Golding, who said the mountain “feels more alive”.

“Before, I saw it as just a mountain to climb, but now it’s a breathing monument that you have to respect.”SERENE LIM

Sabah Earthquake Decoded airs on Discovery Channel (StarHub TV Ch 422/Singtel TV Ch 202) on tonight at 9pm.