Amazing Earth: A tragedy that’s never forgotten 10 years ago!

GMA Network

Aired (November 3, 2023): Let’s hear an exclusive interview with a survivor from Ormoc City, Rita Managbanag, who suffered greatly during the Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Transcript

00:00 A mother who lost her child during the typhoon Yolanda

00:04 remembered the sad experience of her life.

00:07 How are they now, 10 years after the tragedy?

00:11 They thought it was over, they didn't know where they would end up.

00:15 Because even our various coverages before,

00:18 of different typhoons,

00:20 it was so far, here in the typhoon Yolanda.

00:22 My son was killed.

00:27 We're here, help us, brother.

00:32 November 2013, in Manalasa, Philippines,

00:39 the so-called strongest typhoon hit the land in history.

00:44 It's time to count down,

00:47 the typhoon Yolanda is about to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

00:56 After the devastating Typhoon Manalasa,

00:59 6,000 people were left dead.

01:03 14 million people were affected by the 44 typhoons that hit the Philippines.

01:10 One of the most angry people in the Philippines was the Samarat Leyte Islands.

01:15 The principal of the school, Rita, who was a native of Ormoc City,

01:18 while helping her fellow countrymen,

01:21 one of their children was the victim of the typhoon.

01:25 Lorenzo, since he was diagnosed with autism,

01:29 he's on the spectrum.

01:30 All of us, the whole family,

01:32 we also have a house help,

01:35 our neighbor who continues to take care of him.

01:38 Lorenzo, the time when Super Yolanda hit us,

01:41 he was 8 years old.

01:43 I'm also managing the Ormoc City Sped Center,

01:46 at the same time, the Ormoc City Central School.

01:48 So more or less, we have a lot of rooms that would serve as evacuation

01:53 When Yolanda landed on the B1,

01:56 and about 30 minutes after, there was a blackout,

01:59 we went to the house just to check,

02:01 just to make sure that they were there,

02:03 that we reached them.

02:04 They still had their breakfast.

02:05 Lorenzo, it was very rare for him to hold my hand.

02:09 Every time there was a meal,

02:12 because he's usually focused on eating,

02:14 it was probably his body language of saying goodbye.

02:22 We were taken to the school,

02:24 and that's what my husband said,

02:27 when they arrived at the house,

02:29 he couldn't believe it,

02:31 because they didn't have any witnesses.

02:32 Lorenzo was injured in a plane crash.

02:36 Lorenzo was declared the first casualty in Yolanda,

02:42 in Ormoc City.

02:44 For a lifetime, we will never forget,

02:46 especially for me,

02:48 that was really my witness.

02:50 I didn't think that it was just a typhoon.

02:53 More than 30 people died in Ormoc that year,

02:59 including Mamita's daughter.

03:01 After Matawilada,

03:03 it was really life-changing for us.

03:06 Lorenzo was really left to us.

03:08 Lorenzo will always be our inspiration.

03:11 Because of climate change,

03:13 it is expected that more typhoons will be expected

03:16 to cause a storm surge.

03:18 The teachings from here will serve as a warning and a guide

03:22 so that the victims of the devastating climate will not be victimized again.

03:26 [music]

03:28 [silence]

03:31 [silence]

03:34 [silence]

03:37 [silence]

03:39 [silence]

03:41 [silence]

03:43 [silence]

03:45 [silence]

Category

Transcript

Recommended