Tacloban is the hometown of my mother and I have only been here twice: 1997 and 2008. I would only stay then for a few days. Last week, GMA News deployed me in Tacloban and I knew it was an opportunity to know my province more especially in light of Yolanda.
Stopping in the middle of the San Juanico Bridge to take pictures is really not allowed. But many people simply can’t resist the beauty of the bridge. I guess we agree.
San Juanico Bridge.
Tacloban is steadily rebuilding from the devastation of typhoon Yolanda. Four months have passed since and yet the local government still recovers an average of two to three corpses every day. Most of these remains are no longer recognizable and in advanced stages of decomposition. Thus, there is a need to put them in temporary mass graves (see picture below).
The City of Tacloban assures its citizens that there will be proper resting places for the dead in the cemeteries of Holy Cross and Basper. There will be closure.
Temporary mass grave.
The spirit of volunteerism is still strong in Tacloban. I did a news story on Efren Penaflorida’s kariton classrooms. The project targets out-of-school youth who may have lost interest in studying because of the calamity.
Kariton classroom.
I also did a report about another volunteer group called MyRights. They distribute bicycles and conduct reading and feeding programs in various barangays.
Volunteer bikers of MyRide
Up to now, there are still large ships in the middle of communities. It’s a daily reminder of the height and might of the storm surge that killed thousands of Taclobanons.
Mayday!
I also stayed for one night in the Leyte Park Hotel, the base of my fellow reporter Jiggy Manicad during the onslaught of the storm. After Yolanda, numerous bodies were scattered on the hotel grounds. Thankfully, all my relatives in Tacloban survived.
Leyte Park Hotel
Restless Reporter 