Sangyaw Parade of Lights
The Sangyaw Parade of Lights is one of Tacloban City’s most vibrant and highly anticipated cultural events, held annually as part of the city’s grand festivities in honor of Señor Sto. Niño de Tacloban. This dazzling parade, characterized by illuminated floats, lively street performances, and extravagant costumes, showcases the city’s rich history, resilience, and devotion.
The Sangyaw Parade of Lights takes place on June 29, the eve of the Grand Fiesta of Tacloban. The parade route spans the city’s main streets, typically starting from Rizal Avenue and culminating at the Tacloban City Hall or Balyuan Amphitheater, where an awarding ceremony is held for the best contingents and floats. Thousands of spectators, both locals and tourists, line the streets to witness this magnificent spectacle.
The term “Sangyaw”, derived from the Waray-waray word meaning “to announce” or “herald,” was first introduced by former First Lady Imelda Marcos in 1974 as a means to celebrate Tacloban’s cultural identity. The festival initially ran until the 1980s before it was discontinued. In 2008, Mayor Alfred Romualdez revived the festival as the Sangyaw Festival and later transformed it into the Sangyaw Parade of Lights, adding a modern and dazzling twist to the city’s traditional celebrations.
As the city continues to rise and rebuild from past adversities, this event remains a beacon of hope and celebration, bringing together Taclobanons and visitors for an unforgettable night of lights, music, and culture.
Yolanda Commemoration
The Yolanda Commemoration in Tacloban City is an annual event held every November 8 to honor the lives lost and the resilience of the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)—one of the most powerful and devastating typhoons in recorded history. The commemoration serves as a solemn reminder of the tragedy that struck Tacloban and other parts of the Eastern Visayas region in 2013, while also highlighting the city’s remarkable journey of recovery, hope, and resilience.
A solemn candle-lighting event takes place in different parts of the city, particularly at mass grave sites, where families, survivors, and local officials gather to offer prayers for the souls of the departed. A requiem mass is also held at various churches, including the Sto. Niño Church, to offer prayers for the victims. In some years, government officials, religious leaders, and international humanitarian groups participate in the service, reflecting on the lessons learned from the disaster. In addition to this, government officials, local leaders, and families of the victims lay wreaths at memorial sites, paying tribute to those who perished in the disaster.
The Yolanda Commemoration is held at various key locations that were heavily affected by the disaster. These include:
- Yolanda Memorial Monument in Anibong, where remnants of ships washed ashore by the storm surge serve as a stark reminder of the tragedy.
- Holy Cross Memorial Park in Barangay Basper, a mass grave site for thousands of typhoon victims.
- Tacloban Astrodome, which served as a major evacuation center during and after the typhoon.
The commemoration ensures that the thousands of lives lost are never forgotten, providing their families and the community an opportunity to grieve and heal. By reflecting on the lessons from Yolanda, the commemoration serves as a call to action for disaster preparedness and climate change resilience. The Yolanda Commemoration is not just a day of mourning but also a powerful reminder of survival, strength, and hope.