TACLOBAN CITY—Candle lighting and flower offering for thousands of people who perished during Supertyphoon Yolanda are the centerpiece activities as local government units lead in marking the fourth memorial commemoration of the devastation brought about by the supertyphoon.
Classes in all levels, as well as work in government offices, were declared suspended in the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Barugo and in this city to give way to a meaningful commemoration.
Separate thanksgiving Mass and wreath-laying ceremonies were held in Tacloban and Palo on November 7. Commemoration in Tacloban centered at the MV Eva Jocelyn Anibong landmark. MV Eva Jocelyn was lost as it anchored at Anibong residential community during the onslaught of Supertyphoon Yolanda.
The city government converted MV Jocelyn into one of the city’s tourist destinations, the Anibong Memorial Landmark located at Barangay 68, Anibong District, as a reminder for future generations how the city recovered from the ruins.
A commemorative early-morning walk on November 8 will start from Tacloban City Hall to the city’s convention center. The walk will be followed by two thanksgiving Masses in separate venues, the Astrodome and the Holy Cross Memorial Basper mass grave officiated by Palo Archbishop John Du.
Foreign dignitaries and representatives of various humanitarian organizations that helped rebuild the ruined city of Tacloban are expected to attend the commemoration.
Another wreath-laying offering will be done at a spiral structure of Tacloban City Convention Center that has become a landmark of the city. The convention center served as the evacuation center of 8,000 people saved from Yolanda’s wrath.
Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Romualdez and her husband, Alfred S. Romualdez, who was the mayor when Yolanda hit, will lead the lighting of 7,000 candles along the city streets.
Thousands are expected to line the streets of Tacloban to light candles in memory of their friends and relatives who perished.
The day will culminate with the floral and lighted-candle raft offering to those who died in the waters of Cancabato Bay at Balyuan port to be followed with the lighting and releasing of hundreds of sky lanterns at Balyuan grounds.
In Palo, a night of songs, poetry and dances was held on November 7, followed with a candle lighting and floral offering in memory of those who perished.
Palo Mayor Matin Petilla said the activity is meant to help people heal as many are still mourning.
“Healing is very important and we want our people to heal as fast as they can,” she said.
On November 8, three mass graves in the town will be blessed. This would be followed by the release of white doves.