Guiuananons looking at the poster which shows the government’s accomplishments on the rehabilitation of Guiuan Public Market.
If Tacloban City in Leyte is considered by many as the ground zero of Super Typhoon Yolanda (International name: Haiyan), Guiuan in Eastern Samar is known as the point of Haiyan’s first landfall in the Philippines. It was at 4:40 a.m. on November 8, 2013 when Guiuananons felt the wrath of Yolanda, with maximum sustained winds of 235 kph and gustiness of up to 275 kph that killed a hundred of them. Although most of Guiuan did not experience the great storm surges that killed thousands of people in Leyte, the town suffered the strongest winds that destroyed its buildings and infrastructures.
Now, after one year since the devastation occurred, how is Guiuan now? Here are some photos I took around the town and nearby places on 6 and 7 November 2014 which will give us a glance of Guiuan a year after Yolanda.
What remains of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Guiuan after Yolanda.
Can the government still manage to restore the church, which is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines?
For the meantime, the Catholic Guiuananons do their worship here.
A proposed Church of our Lady of the Rosary in Guiuan.
St Mary’s Academy of Guiuan, a year after Yolanda.
The ruins of houses and buildings that were destroyed by Yolanda can still be seen in Guiuan.
A Hope Wall written by Guiuananons who want to bring their messages to the government and other organizations. This is part of the exhibit at the Guiuan plaza. Did President Aquino read the messages when he visited the place on November 7, 2014?
Bakery and eatery near the Plaza.
The Rose Pharmacy in Guiuan Eastern Samar is already back to business after Yolanda.
Super Star Merchandise store in Lugay Street Guiuan Eastern Samar.
Guiuan Public Market
The other side of Guiuan’s Public Market
Guiuananons waiting to see and hoping to meet President Benigno Aquino III during his visit on November 7, 2014. Many of the residents wanted to see the President but many of them failed because of the strict security measures of the PSG.
Guiuananons after President Aquino left the town plaza.
Businesses and establishments, such as hotels, banks, restaurants, retail stores, wholesale stores, and medical clinics are already back in Guiuan.
Mercury Drugstore and Novo store were among the big establishments that suffered from Typhoon Yolanda. The stores are still closed and under renovation one year after Haiyan.
The NOVO store in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
Metrobank in Guiuan
Tricycles are moving on in Guiuan
Native delicacies for sale at Guiuan Public Market
A girl playing at the terminal of Guiuan
The terminal is located near the seawall. And here she comes again playing with her improvised toy.
A boy poses at the seawall along Guiuan Transport Terminal
Some Guiuananons are still living in bunkhouses near the seawall.
The entrance to Guiuan Central School
The pupils of Guiuan Central School, as they play after school hours.
Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Guiuan
The entrance gate of ESSU
Guiuananons still living in tents. Will the President visit them?
A helicopter clearing the area near Guiuan Airport as part of the security operations for President Aquino’s visit.
A helicopter escorting the plane aboard the president and other officials.
The runway of Guiuan Airport
The road on my way to Sulangan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Sulangan National Highschool. The classrooms here are new, donated by GMA Kapuso Foundation.
This is Sulangan in Guiuan Eastern Samar, a year after Super Typhoon Yolanda.
Smiling kids in Sulangan, Eastern Samar, as they go home from school.
St. Anthony of Padua Shrine, Sulangan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar, one year after Yolanda.
The interior of St. Anthony of Padua Shrine
Fishing boats in Sulangan Guiuan.
Kids playing at the sandy shores of Sulangan
After taking photos of Guiuan, I decided to spend the night at my Auntie’s house in Brgy. Palamrag, Mercedes, Eastern Samar. This is what’s left of their house after Haiyan devastated the area. Mercedes is a fourth class municipality of the province of Eastern Samar. It’s the town between Guiuan and Salcedo.
The temporary shelter built by my cousins while they wait for housing assistance from the government.
The NGOs helped them and provided them with this house. That cemented floor at the ground was actually the actual floor of my Auntie’s house destroyed by typhoon Yolanda. The walls are gone.
The small house above was provided by ACTED and UNICEF as donated by the Australian Aid, the people of Japan and UKAid.
After Super Typhoon Haiyan, they have provided themselves with a temporary house, the NGOs also provided them with a bunkhouse, and Mother Nature continues to provide them with fruits for food. I keep on asking… how about the government? What significant assistance would they provide?
My nephews as they pose in front of the house donated by the NGOs.
We don’t pay taxes to NGOs but they help us compassionately. We never pay taxes to Mother Nature but she provides us foods naturally. We’re paying taxes to the government but… you knew what I meant.
About Victorino Q. Abrugar
Vic promotes tourism-related businesses, brands and places. He's the marketing strategist of FAQ.PH. He believes that the key to success is to always do what to do next. Want to promote your business? Contact him at mail@optixor.com.
those in power have other priorities…they cater for their needs, not the needs of the ordinary citizen. it’s time to change our form of government…
thank you for sharing your photos. so glad to see guiuan looking a lot better now…
open the airport that will bring more business
Im so immersed with your photos. Our hometown is in Sapao and had our visit 6 months after the storm surge. I always dream of making Guiuan amongst Boracay’s tourism so to help my kababayan with job opportunities.
AURAPHIL thanks for sharing. I have been promoting Guiuan since 2005. Kindly read my comments at
the Blogs of Josiah Sicad (Lakas ng Trip). However, coordinated efforts by the residents, community leaders, real estate owners, provincial, regional and national authorities are important .You will find also
my comments at some news articles. Everyone can promote thru social media. Eco, Marine, Aqua Sports tourism and PILGRIMAGE to St. Anthony of Pauda Shrine by the Sea in Sulangan are subjects of interest that will attract more Visitors. Campaign to make the Magellan Landing celebration as a NATIONAL Holiday will add. This is usually celebrated with a trade fair at the Guiuan Plaza. Sports competitions and Street Parade covered by media ( Radio and Television). The attractions of Mercedes and Salcedo will compliment. God bless!!