Here in California (earthquake state) ALL the new homes/buildings have to be built of wood or concrete. Both bend. Bricks DON'T bend; they crumble.
Yes, thats why buildings there take that into account, as well as typhoons of course. Its a very difficult place as far as building requirements, everything in nature just wants to destroy the works of man.
They are great users of reinforced concrete, and have been since reinforced concrete was invented, many of the early examples of that can be found in the Phils., they have been quite high tech that way.
Rebar is really useful and gets stuck into hollow block construction. Roofs are light materials. Steel frames are common.
Poor people live in homes built of light materials. The downside of that is vulnerability to typhoons and fires.
My grandpa cornered the market on used bricks after the 33 quake