A Photo Docu of Typhoon Yolanda's (Haiyan) Rage

This is another throwback on my blog since this is worth remembering not only for Filipinos like me but for the people around the world.

The November 2013 incident devastated Visayas and crashed the whole Philippines but moved the emotions of all mankind. The storm surge snatched hundreds of lives, however, Filipinos naturally united and fought mourning to rise from this tragedy.

A month after (December 2013), the Provincial Government of Batangas sent us to lend hands to our fellow countrymen, I was tasked to document the outreach program. And when we arrived at Tacloban Airport, these scenes welcomed us.

I saw from the television how the typhoon almost erased this from the map. The airports seemed like a public market with packs of people and cargoes.

The rehabilitation of the airport began yet the people haven't felt any changes.

We assembled outside the airport and got picked up by the contact persons there.

They invited us for lunch in the only restaurant or food chain that remained standing despite the rage of typhoon. It miraculously survived and catered the needs of the people arriving in Tacloban.

From afar, we saw places evidencing how strong the storm was.

Nonstop help from the Philippine Army was seen on a different way when they rescued the stray animals in the area.

The display of the Philippine flags in the houses and buildings symbolized that Filipinos remained hopeful that the world will see their strength as one.

The Batangas Team also went to Samar in order to hand over the financial assistance to the community.

With misery in my heart, I stared at the window and just captured this iconic view of San Juanico Bridge. I never thought that my memory of the longest bridge was connected to Typhoon Yolanda instead of fun in the Philippines.

We also managed to stop by at the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park in Leyte Gulf. I just saw the photo came into life right in front of me. This area seemed not affected but one statue got destroyed but eventually fixed afterwards. We posed for a while and then left bidding goodbye to the scenes of ruins everywhere.

More than anything, signage like this one pierced my heart. Victims of Typhoon Yolanda may be roofless, homeless but not hopeless. Bangon! Tindog!

According to our guide, this area was considered an open cemetery where many lives were put to rest for eternity.

At night, we were provided home for a night by a generous public servant in Leyte. The team also handed over financial assistance and other necessities.

This was the image of Hill 120 or Catmon Hill that time. There was no sighting of the American flag raised as it was destroyed during the typhoon rage.

And from our vision, the grotto up in the hill remained as it is. Prayers did miracles and this was the proof.

This area showed how the world cared for the Filipinos. The United Nations provided tents and other relief goods to help the survivors.

This series of photos tore our hearts by letting us know that many parts of Tacloban became haunted as it transformed into cemetery.

Even the Sto. Niño Shrine or Romualdez Museum and Provincial Government of Leyte did not escape from the typhoon's wrath.

In spite of everything, the whole world showed love for Tacloban and also for parts of Leyte and Samar.

Before leaving Tacloban, we had our courtesy call at the Tacloban City Hall where mayor's wife, Ms. Christina Gonzales Romualdez expressed gratitude towards us.

We also paid a visit to the PAGASA headquarters.

While heading to the airport, we saw MV Eva Jocelyn, the commercial ship that ran aground Tacloban during the typhoon. It was a few meters away from the community around the area. God still protected the people there from much danger that the collision would have caused.

Our experience in extending help to the Typhoon Yolanda victims will forever be engraved in our hearts. This is a memory that will always be special to all of us.

I realized how Filipinos are well loved by the world. Until now, I am just so proud that I was able to help the Yolanda victims in some way and to tell many people thru this photo documentation how thankful I am for their unbeatable concern for all of us. Thank you and may God bless all of you!