Tacloban marks 3rd ‘Yolanda’ anniversary

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PNA) –- The city government here will mark the 3rd anniversary of super typhoon Yolanda on Tuesday with a simple, yet solemn commemoration.

Highlight of the anniversary activities is the commemorative program to be attended by national, local government officials and foreign dignitaries at the Yolanda Memorial, Tacloban Astrodome grounds.

Activities on Nov. 8 will start with a holy mass at the Astrodome followed by the commemorative program at 9 a.m.

City officials led by Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez, Leyte 1st District Representative Yedda K. Romualdez and former City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez will attend the commemorative program intended to remember the thousands who died during the onslaught of Yolanda in Tacloban.

Senators Richard Gordon and Cynthia Villar have also signified attendance to the commemorative activities.

Also expected are U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, US Embassy Charge’ d’ affaires Michael S. Klecheski, and Israel Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau.

OPM artist Kitchie Nadal and the Leyte Dance Theater Dancers will perform during the program which will be capped by the launching of the Yolanda documentary.

The blessing and turnover ceremony of the Astrodome Park and Playground – a recovery and rehabilitation project of an International Non-Government Organization (INGO) for kids will follow at the Tacloban City Convention Center grounds before noon.

At sundown, the traditional lighting of candles along the streets of the city will commence; and the sky lantern memorial will be held at Balyuan at 9 p.m.

On the eve of the anniversary, there was a wreath laying ceremony at Holy Cross Memorial Cemetery Mass Grave in Basper. The gravesite located 12 kilometers north of the City is where more than 2,000 Yolanda fatalities are buried.

A mass at the Anibong Shipwreck Memorial will follow at night.

Three years ago, Yolanda made landfall in central Philippines, causing a huge storm surge and leaving in its wake a city devastated with thousands of fatalities and homeless people.

Since then, Tacloban has undergone massive rehabilitation and has since recovered from the disaster through the collaborative efforts of government, private sector, and international non-government organizations. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/PR/EGR