Memorial unveiling, candle lighting to mark Yolanda’s 2nd anniversary

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – To commemorate the second anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda (international codename Haiyan), a memorial unveiling and candle lighting ceremony are scheduled on separate dates in Tacloban City, Leyte and other areas affected by the typhoon.

Typhoon Yolanda, which made landfall in Eastern Visayas on November 8, 2013,* brought strong winds and whipped up storm surges that battered areas such as Tacloban City. It left thousands of people dead and a number of properties destroyed.

On November 7, Saturday, the city government of Tacloban will unveil two memorial markers – one in the coastal village of Anibong where a ship was washed ashore by storm surges, and another one near the Tacloban Astrodome.

The ship in Anibong has not been removed, and has become an image of the massive destruction brought by the super typhoon in the area. Meanwhile, the Tacloban Astrodome became the refuge for many of those who survived the deadly onslaught.

Then on Sunday, November 8, some 50,000 candles will be lighted in Tacloban City, from the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport down to Barangay Nula-tula. Candles will also be lighted in nearby towns of Tolosa, Tanauan, and Palo.

This year’s candle lighting will be led by Msgr Alex Opiniano of the Saint Michael the Archangel parish in Tolosa, Leyte. Opiniano appealed to Tingog Sinirangan party list group, as well as to local officials and parishes in nearby areas to support the event and to help generate funds to rebuild and restore chapels in Tolosa destroyed by the typhoon.

Last year’s candle lighting, led by the group One Tacloban, witnessed the lighting of around 28,000 candles. The group begged off this year, however, as they are planning to stage a Yolanda art exhibit in London.

Since the destruction of Typhoon Yolanda, Tacloban City has undergone a massive rehabilitation as it recovers from the huge devastation.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez expressed optimism that the ceremonies will spread hope in the region.

“What happened during Yolanda sends a message of hope and that dreams can come true. Nothing has to stay as it is, even if it’s difficult,” he said. – Rappler.com

Editor’s Note: In a previous version of this story, the year Yolanda struck was mistakenly indicated as 2015. It was an oversight and has been corrected to indicate 2013.