Solemn commemorations mark 8th anniversary of super typhoon ‘Yolanda’

Tacloban City, considered the ground zero of the super typhoon, was the hardest hit as it lies between two bodies of water that brought a more destructive storm surge, reaching almost 17 feet.

Officials estimated that Tacloban City, which was left in ruins like most parts of the Leyte-Samar area, was 90% destroyed after Yolanda.

The super typhoon left 6,352 dead, affected millions of individuals in over 44 provinces and over a thousand are still missing. The overall damage was estimated at $5.8 billion (P291.3 billion).

The massive scale of Yolanda’s damage prompted a global outpouring of support through humanitarian aid and donations—from local and international corporations to kids who set up a lemonade stand to raise funds to help the typhoon victims. 

Filipinos from all over the country, regardless of status in life, stepped in to help the best way they could—from monetary donations to volunteering in the rescue and recovery efforts, and more.

Prominent personalities and Hollywood celebrities also supported relief efforts via social media. Katy Perry, David and Victoria Beckham, Channing Tatum, Joe Jonas, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens were among those who urged their followers to donate.

Fast and Furious star Paul Walker, who was among the first ones who expressed support through social media, reportedly hosted a charity fundraiser for the typhoon victims a few hours before he figured in a fatal car accident in California.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in 2016, total foreign aid given to survivors of typhoon Yolanda reportedly went up to as much as $865,151,866 (P43.4 billion).

In 2015, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said it received P1.1 billion which was used for aid and rehabilitation of Yolanda-stricken regions. 

Low-key, solemn commemorations

Tacloban City held simple and solemn commemoration ceremonies ahead of the eighth anniversary of super typhoon Yolanda.

On Nov. 7, a Mass was held at the Anibong Shipwreck Memorial—the site where the chilling view of the MV Eva Jocelyn ship cast inland due to the storm surge was  found. There was also a wreath-laying and candle lighting ceremony. 

On Nov. 8, a Mass was celebrated in the morning before the blessing of a mass grave and marker at the Tacloban City Astrodome.

Simultaneous ringing of church bells and a candle lighting ceremony will also be held to remember those who perished during the super typhoon. 

The towns of Palo and Tanauan will reportedly hold their respective commemoration activities on Nov. 8.

Meanwhile, Catholic Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan, Eastern Samar urged Filipinos to let the lessons of Yolanda carry them through the crisis that is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far claimed more than 5 milliom lives worldwide.

“Let the lessons of resiliency, hope and solidarity carry us through in these challenging times,” Varquez said. 

The bishop also asked the public to “hear the cry of our planet for common action to save our common home” as calamities are related to climate change according to experts.

Varquez, who urged the faithful to pray for the people who died from the typhoon, said to be “thankful to the Lord that we have risen from the horrible destruction” that the typhoon brought.

“We have seen God’s saving acts at work in our own history,” he said. “We thank individuals, groups, and organizations who helped us rise and recover, and never forget them in our prayers.”