Like their gallant stand vs Yolanda

TACLOBAN CITY – House Majority Leader Martin G. Romualdez of Leyte’s 1st District and Tingog Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez on Monday cited the Waraynons’ resiliency that will enable them to recover from the devastating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic following their gallant stand against the massive destruction of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan).

The Romualdez couple was joined here by presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., who received a rock star welcome from Leyteños, and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez during Monday’s 8th year commemoration of Super Typhoon Yolanda’s onslaught in 2013.

They remembered the thousands of people who perished in the killer storm, one of the world’s most powerful typhoons in recent history, where Tacloban City bore the brunt, being considered as ground zero.

“Eight years after hitting rock bottom, Tacloban City and the entire Region VIII have moved on and recovered from the destruction of Yolanda. We will continue to rise and we will recover once again, this time from the pandemic’s crippling effects,” said Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules.

Rep. Yedda Romualdez, chairperson of the House committee on the welfare of children, credited the unity of the people for Tacloban City and Region VIII’s immediate recovery from Yolanda’s
devastation.

“It is through our solidarity as a region and as a community that we are able to look back into this day with strength and hope. Together we rise as people with resiliency and fortitude that we have gained from this experience,” she said, adding those who perished should not be forgotten as their deaths raised awareness on disaster management and prevention not only in the country, but in the entire world.

“Despite the numerous challenges we face in our everyday lives, we always remain resilient to stay in the game. We do not allow difficulties to break us, that is the key behind our recovery,” stressed Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

“We have faced and survived one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded in history. We have risen from this devastating experience and we have shown to the rest of the world what we are capable of recovering because of our resiliency. Let us continue in our journey towards building back a better and more resilient community. Let’s continue to bring hope as we face this pandemic because this day reminds us that better days will come, as they have before,” Rep. Martin Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP) and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), pointed out.

A Holy Mass and blessing of the mass grave were held at the Holy Cross Memorial Park in Basper village where the site of mass burial is located.

A marker engraved with the names of typhoon victims at the Tacloban City Convention Center grounds was also blessed. Mayor Alfred Romualdez issued an executive order suspending work in the government and classes on Nov. 8, 2021 to allow the Yolanda commemoration.

JUDE ACIDRE RADIO INTERVIEW

In an interview with Laila Chikadora and Mon Gualvez over 92.3 News FM of Radyo Singko Monday morning, Tingog nominee Jude Avorque Acidre shared the experiences and lessons that he learned in the aftermath Yolanda’s devastation.

“Sabi namin, ‘Paano kami magsisimula ulit?’ Paano kaya babangon from a disaster that has practically snatched everything,” Acidre said.

“Alam mo ‘yung capacity ng tao na tumulong? Anoman ‘yung estado mo sa buhay, anoman ‘yung resources, gaano karami o kalimitado, ay palaging may magagawang tama at may magagawang mabuti na ikakabuti ng ibang tao,” Acidre added.

Groups like the volunteer firefighter and medic group Batch 8 Brotherhood and the Hope Christian High School, who were also present during the program, helped TINGOG’s home region Eastern Visayas to get back on its feet.