Yolanda survivors who settled in Metro Cebu, donors gather for reunion
Tinago recalls role in Yolanda
blessing. Fr. Anthony Morello blesses the Yolanda survivors from Eastern Visayas who sought refuge at the barangay Tinago gym last year and settled here in Metro Cebu. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Evacuees, who left Eastern Visayas provinces to escape the horrifying aftermath of supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan), gathered at the gym of barangay Tinago yesterday afternoon to commemorate their arrival in the city.
Some shed tears recalling their struggle to get to Cebu. But their sadness was later replaced by laughter after they witnessed dance presentations by the Tinago residents.
“Ang grasya sa Ginoo sobra sobra basta dili lang ta maka limot sa Ginoo,” said Fr. Anthony Morello of Laray, Consolacion parish told survivors.
(God’s grace is overflowing as long as we don’t forget the Lord.)
Morello, a native of Biliran province, and his assistant priest, Fr. Jose Jadulco of Palo, Leyte celebrated the 4 p.m. Mass for the Yolanda survivors at the Tinago Sports Center.
Barangay captain Joel Garganera, barangay workers and donors also joined about 20 survivors, now living in various parts of Metro Cebu, who came for the celebration.
The Tinago gym provided temporary shelter to 646 Yolanda survivors for almost two months last year.
Garganera also set up an exhibit of pictures of survivors taken during their stay at the barangay gym. He also put on display short notes which they wrote to express their gratitude before they vacated the gym on Dec. 27, 2013.
“This is a product of the collective effort of all the loving and giving Cebuanos,” Garganera said in his message.
After the mass, Fr. Morello blessed the survivors whom he called to gather in front of the stage. He also asked them to remain thankful that they survived the wrath of Yolanda.
“To the survivors, congratulations for holding on to your faith,” he said.
Janiña de Paz, 11, of Lapaz in Leyte, danced and Precious Martinez, 6, of Tacloban City read a poem expressing her family’s appreciation for the Cebuanos help.
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