 The memorial in 2023 | |
| 11°15′08″N 124°59′28″E / 11.25235°N 124.99108°E / 11.25235; 124.99108 | |
| Location | Barangay Anibong 66-A, Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines |
|---|---|
| Type | Memorial |
| Length | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Width | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Opening date | November 7, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-11-07) |
| Dedicated to | Victims of Typhoon Haiyan |
| Park details | |
| Area | 120 m (1,300 sq ft) |
| Operated by | Tacloban City Government |
The Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park or the Anibong Memorial Park, colloquially known as the Yolanda Shrine, is a memorial created from portions of MV Eva Jocelyn, a cargo ship which got beached at Barangay Anibong, Tacloban, Leyte in Eastern Visayas. The monument is dedicated to the rebuilding of Tacloban after the onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan of 2013, which is known in the country as "Super Typhoon Yolanda".
History
Beaching of MV Eva Jocelyn
The MV Eva Jocelyn was originally a cargo ship owned by Mandaue-based Eva Shipping Lines. During the onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan (locally known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Haiyan) in November 8, 2013, Eva Jocelyn was pushed inland by storm surges. The ship demolished 10 houses and killed eleven. She would provide shelter for more than 30 people nearby the site during the disaster.
The wreck of Eva Jocelyn would remain in place almost a year later. Eva Shipping Lines hired Philippines Precious Metal Resources as its contractor which dismantled Jocelyn piece by piece.
Conversion to a memorial park
There were plans to convert MV Eva Jocelyn into a restaurant which was not approved by Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. who reasoned that it is disrespectful to the victims.
Nevertheless, the bow of the ship remained and was donated to the Tacloban city government. It was eventually converted as a monument and made part of a memorial park is to commemorate the victims of the typhoon.
The Tacloban government spent ₱2.8 million for the conversion of the bow to a memorial park, a process which took five months. The park was inaugurated on November 7, 2015 on the eve of the second anniversary of the Typhoon Haiyan tragedy.
Park and monument
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The Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park covers an area of 120 square meters (1,300 sq ft). The memorial consist of the structure converted from the bow of MV Eva Jocelyn measuring 8 by 6 meters (26 ft × 20 ft) and is supported by concrete. The facade of the structure is painted in blue and brown, with its deck floor fully tiled and a flag planted on the bow's fencing. The vicinity of the former ship was also barricaded with steel frames. Its interior serves as an office for its security guards.
The park is visited by thousands. It is reportedly haunted location with its guards allegedly hearing the voices of the typhoon victims at night.
References
- ^ Gabieta, Joey A. (October 31, 2017). "Guards at Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park hear moans, steps, sounds at night". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Tacloban City Commemorates 2nd Yolanda Anniversary". National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office VIII. November 26, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- Adel, Rosette (December 12, 2018). "WATCH: Catriona Gray highlights Filipinos' resilience in Visayas tourism video". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ Gabieta, Joey (November 7, 2014). "Symbol of tragedy being ripped apart piece by piece". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ Tibay, Roel; Quismorio, Ellson (November 10, 2018). "M/V Eva Jocelyn is 'Yolanda tourism' symbol". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- "A province of resilience: Leyte three years after Yolanda". GMA News Online. June 24, 2016. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- Tanchanco, John Paul (July 17, 2015). "A road trip high of Eastern Visayas 3 years after Yolanda". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- Gabieta, Joey A. (November 7, 2015). "In Tacloban park, memories painful". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 22, 2024.