IT HAS been five years since Yolanda. I have been fortunate to once more visit Tacloban. Last was in 2009 when the city hosted the Palarong Pambansa. A good friend Mayor Alfred Romualdez hosted me for this. In exchange he asked that I do him one by hosting the big bikers association of the Philippines in Baguio. I mentioned it might be difficult since we have a ban on two wheels or three in our main thoroughfares. Well I made it happen. They were happy.
This time around it was his brother Congressman Martin who made the invite and all I had to do since it was on short notice was to jump on a bus directly to the airport and fly to Tacloban.
I was met by his staff and a vehicle ferried me to his place where breakfast was being readied. Soon after I was joined by Mayor Lani Mercado. Eventually the guest of honor had arrived. Mayor Sara Duterte.
I had known her for quite some time now. In fact she was my guest in Baguio during our centennial celebrations. As Vice Mayor she did represent her father in the sister city renewal signing. We met again the next year when we were both awarded in Cebu as the Cities Best in the BPO industry. Nobody really knew her. I did, because her mother is a close friend of the family of Joy who hails from Davao.
A wreath was laid in the Yolanda Memorial before greetings and messages were made to commemorate year five from Yolanda. Prayers too were given. A good family friend Jim Yaokasin's the Vice Mayor of Tacloban presented the actual situation of what Tacloban is today. We were together all as Vice Mayors at one time. Jim, Sarah and I.
Tacloban has been able to take on all the challenges that have come its way and overcome such trials. The story of how the Mayor rescued his wife (Kring-Kring) now Mayor was so incredible. Like a movie. So too was how his men set out in the city to see what went on was also something I couldn't imagine for real.
Maybe Juan might remember a ship being washed into the city from the storm surge. Well, we heard mass in its hull. It was converted into a chapel. On the way we drove to San Juanico Bridge, from the Leyte side then Samar. A visit too was made in the landing site of Gen. Douglas McArthur. It was nice to see bus loads of Japanese visiting too, a lone American with a Filipina in hand.
A late lunch was served, some goodies given and soon after, goodbyes. It was short but sweet. It was nice seeing old friends.
We were then brought to the VIP Lounge of the airport, served some snacks then herded to a chartered plane back to Manila. Upon landing the VIP treatment continued on. A chauffeured Bentley picked us up and treated us out to a sumptuous dinner of Crispy Pata, Kare-Kare, Tenderloin Steak, Crispy Hito, Roasted Chicken and many more. We ended the evening with good Single Malt Whiskey.
That was a good 12 hours to cap my day. That is my take on Tacloban.