IT HAS been five years since super typhoon Yolanda ravaged the country, killing at least 6,300 people in its wake.
One of the areas that was greatly ravaged by the huge storm in 2013 is Anibong, a coastal district in Tacloban City.
When a massive storm surge washed ashore eight ships, it wiped out the coastal communities in the district and killed hundreds of people.
Because of its vulnerability to storm surges and tsunamis, Anibong was declared a “No Build Zone”.
With this hazard warning in place, one would expect Anibong to be a ghost town by now.
This, however, is not the case since nearly 500 families are still living in the area despite imminent danger.
The latest report from the National Housing Authority reveals that of the 205,128 units the agency targeted to build, only 92,088 have been completed and only 59,420 units had been occupied.
John Rey Dela Rosa’s family is one of many survivors left with no choice but to remain in Anibong, lamenting that the government has yet to complete what would be their permanent shelters on safer grounds.
The 18-year-old held back tears as he recounted the events of what he considers as the “longest 24 hours” of his young life, in front of a small crowd at the SM Seaside Thursday, Nov. 8.
“Hanggang ngayon po, ang buhay namin ay di nagbabago. Nasa danger zone pa rin kami. Hiling ko ay sana lahat ng nakatira sa Anibong ay maililipat na sa relocation area (Until now, nothing changed in our lives. We’re still in the danger zone. I’m hoping that all those living in Anibong will be transferred to the relocation site),” John Rey said.
If not for the ships that washed ashore, John Rey feared that the big waves would have wiped out their coastal community instead.
“Ang dami pong nangyari, lalo na sa Anibong. Gusto ko pong makatulong na maibahagi ang aming kwento, lalo na yung sa mga hindi pa rin naililipat tulad ng pamilya namin (A lot happened, especially in Anibong. I want to help in sharing our story, especially that of the families who are still there),” John Rey continued.
John Rey is one of at least 10 youngsters aged 18 to eight years old that joined Postcards from Disasters to help tell the story of Tacloban, five years after Yolanda.
The multimedia human rights campaign advocates storytelling from the perspective of the disaster survivors themselves.
As part of the demi-decade anniversary since the typhoon hit the country, Postcards from Disasters launched “Yolanda Retold”, a photo exhibit featuring photographs taken by kid-survivors like John Rey.
The exhibit, located at the upper ground floor of the SM Seaside Cube wing, is open until Dec. 8.
Postcards co-founder Julie Ann Nealega said they chose children to work with because they are active in the community and want to empower survivors through the perspective of the Anibong kids.
“Humbling rin yung istorya na pangarap nila ang makahawak ng camera. Ngayong nakahawak na sila, ano ang istoryang ikukwento nila (The story that they wish to hold a camera is also humbling. Now that they have one, what’s their story)?” she said.
John Rey’s photo entitled “Playtime” features three children cooling off in the sea despite concerns on sanitation due to piles of garbage and the makeshift toilets along the coast.
Another young photographer, 12-year-old Jacqueline Francisco, showcased a portrait of an elderly man.
Entitled “I’d Rather Stay”, the photo shows Romeo Vibbero, a 68-year-old recovering from stroke, who opted to stay in Anibong due to the humidity in the permanent shelters that still lack electricity and water connection. (RTF)