It has been one year ever since the devastating Super Typhoon Yolanda has hit the country, the exact dates were November 8, 2014 until November 11, 2014. Now, Filipinos are celebrating life by releasing white balloons into the sky, praying a "thank you" for life, dedicating videos to the victims and even protesting to the lack of services given. The question is, how has Leyte been after one year of recovery?
As one of the most strongest super typhoons of the year and even all-time, super typhoon Yolanda (Local name) or Haiyan (International name) has been well known for creating destruction through the southern and central parts of the Philippines with its 230 k/hr to 315 k/hr winds.
The strength of the typhoon had affected 1,473,251 families along with a casualty count of 6,193, injured count of 28,689 and a missing count of 1,061 people on estimates. The super typhoon had almost completely destroyed the province and destroyed about 90 percent in only the capitol city of Tacloban. Meanwhile there are still around 4 million people who remain homeless until today.
Each and every person had their own life, their own family and their own aspirations. It is up to the living to continue their name and goals in life as we take a moment to remember their memory and the lives and happiness they have given to others while they were still here. Let us all take time to also thank our Savior God for keeping us, the living safe and protected throughout the unforgettable storm and a thank you to the many people and other countries who aided and assisted the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
Celebrating Life
On November 8, 2014, candles filled the streets of the most-affected central Philippines city of Leyte, to honor and remember the over 6,000 victims of super typhoon Yolanda. Before even dawn broke last Saturday, November 8, more than 5,000 people had been holding candles and white balloons as a mournful walk was initiated around the regional capitol, Tacloban City.
Faith has kept the survivors strong, and a year after the catastrophe, church bells still ring clearly as a Roman Catholic mass started at Tacloban's grave site where around 3,000 storm victims are buried on an almost half-hectare grave-site. Although, there are still hundred out there that are still unaccounted for.
The city's mayor, Alfred Romualdez shared his insight on the memorable anniversary.
"It's important that we make it meaningful, so for the next generations people will remember this," he admitted to Reuters.
Protesters
As for protesters, there are hundred of fishermen, farmers, and activists in Tacloban who are crying to the government to provide them with more homes and jobs. Those very protesters have gone so far as burning a nine-foot tall effigy of resident Benigno Aquino wherein they have also accused the administration relating to him for reconstructing and diverting funds.
"Our call is justice for the criminal negligence of our president and the government, and we want him to step down," she said.
Not only in Tacloban, but also in Manila, there were dozens of Climate Change activists who have marched right near to the Presidential Palace and lit candles in equal solidarity with the typhoon victims.
Dedications and Leyte: One Year after the Storm
Dedications and Leyte: One Year after the Storm
There have been dedications via pictures, slideshows and music videos and we would love to share a song that has been created for the typhoon victims and how they have, will and can stand up once again. It was posted and shared by The SID Project who has written and performed the song himself.
Leyte: One Year after the Storm
A family that now has a nice home after the typhoon.
Left: November 11, 2013 - 22yr old Emelie Sagales after giving birth to her child Bea Joy in who she named after her mother who was killed in the typhoon.
Right: November 5, 2014 - Emelie and her 1 year old child, Bea Joy, inside their hut in Tacloban.
Left: November 9, 2013 - An elder Filipino woman standing beside recovered victims
Right: November 3, 2014 - The same chapel, but with a Filipino policeman resting there.
Left: (November 10, 2013) Joshua Cator, 11yrs old surviving Typhoon Yolanda and scavenging for food and reusable materials.
Right: (One year later) Joshua Cator, standing in front of makeshift house next to a tent. He has lost 23 relatives from the typhoon including his mother and younger sister.
Aerial view of the city of Tacloban
Left: November 9, 2013
Right: November 3, 2014
Left: November 9, 2013 - Devastated Tacloban airport
Right: November 2, 2014 - The same Tacloban airport
Amazing? What prayer do you have to send to the families of the affected?
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