In my time contributing to relief efforts in Tacloban, a city in the Philippines ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, we were overwhelmed by the sheer devastation caused by this powerful storm. The sea surge reaching up to 30 meters claimed the lives of 10,000-15,000 people in Tacloban alone. Witnessing this tragedy firsthand was a heart-wrenching experience. But amidst the sorrow, a glimmer of hope was brought by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who joined us and Mayor Alfred Romualdez for a moving flag ceremony attended by thousands of survivors. In the afternoon, we toured various sites in Tacloban, including the site where the BFP Retrieval Team worked tirelessly to help families identify and lay their loved ones to rest. Their dedication reminded us of the heroic efforts made by the team who aided in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.
