TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Catholic Church through its social action arm, the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines, recognized the heroism of 27 Yolanda survivors from the nine worst-hit provinces.
The recognition rites were held during the 3rd Yolanda Commemoration anniversary activities yesterday in this city.
Father Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of NASSA/Caritas Philippines, in a press statement emailed to reporters said that at least 27 Yolanda heroes from the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Cebu, Palawan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan were honored for their heroism and contributions to the community.
These 27 survivors displayed their heroism during the height of storm and during the course of the relief and rehabilitation efforts being implemented by the Catholic Church after the Yolanda devastation.
“Yolanda taught us so many lessons about faith, hope and charity. There are still many untold stories of heroism and resiliency of Yolanda survivors. And these people from different far-flung communities devastated by Yolanda are the unsung heroes, who helped the community to recover and build back better,” the priest said.
Gariguez said the activities included the “True Heroes of Yolanda” photo exhibit—featuring 27 Yolanda survivors—that was formally opened with a flash mob by 150 youth volunteers of the Sto. Niño Parish based in Tacloban, The exhibit will run until November 11 at Robinsons Place-Tacloban.
“There is also a special screening of nine documentaries about the Yolanda heroes of different provinces during the 1st Caritas Film Festival in the mall’s cinema,” Gariguez said.
The Caritas official told reporters that the commemoration activities opened with a Holy Mass in Tanauan, Leyte led by Palo Archbishop John Du and NASSA/Caritas Philippines national director, Nueva Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona.
There was also a symbolic flower offering in memory of the victims of Yolanda in Tanauan town, one of the hardest hit areas in Leyte.
Gariguez added other activities include the presentation of new project proposals for Yolanda-affected communities in the nine provinces to the representatives of different Caritas member countries, who are working with the Catholic Church in the Philippines in implementing various rehabilitation programs for Yolanda survivors in different parts of the country.
He further said that NASSA/Caritas Philippines—as the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines—is currently implementing the Catholic Church’s largest three-year rehabilitation program, called REACHPhilippines, with the dioceses of the nine provinces worst-hit by the typhoon. (FREEMAN)