This document summarizes a volunteer trip to provide relief aid to areas in Eastern Visayas affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda. A group of 17 volunteers from Hands On Manila brought donated items such as cooking supplies, umbrellas, and seeds to distribute to families in Tacloban and Basey. Over the course of three days, the group distributed relief supplies, played with children, and saw widespread devastation across Leyte and Samar provinces. They also took time for sightseeing and meals together before returning to Manila at the end of their trip.

1. En route to Eastern Visayas
After super
typhoon Yolanda
With Hands On Manila volunteers

2. All our stuffs are packed…
We brought donated items for Yolanda-affected families
in Tacloban and Basey.

3. A rainy morning greeted us in Tacloban.

4. Our home for the weekend.
We were able to get rooms at Welcome Home Pensione
for 17 volunteers.

5. Welcome Home was our headquarters where we packed our
loot bags…

6. …and rested in between activities.

7. But first we took a quick breakfast across the street at
Potluck Canteen before heading to...

8. Barangay 52
where some of the houses have no roofs to provide
shelter from the rain.

9. The children enjoyed our short game...

10. …and delighted on the gifts they received. Next was…

11. Barangay 67
The devastation at Anibong, a coastal area in
Tacloban, was tremendous.

12. A huge ship forced to shore by the strong winds
destroyed houses, properties, and lives.

13. Families receive their loot bags of cooking
utensils, umbrella, seeds, and other materials.

14. Dinner at the Village Chefs
Time stood still. We slept after the 2nd activity and
headed to dinner before 6pm.

15. A nice pool outside the restaurant.

16. Outside the restaurant.

17. Beautiful interiors.

18. Great food.

19. After dinner night out.
Impromptu reunion with former colleagues at a mobile
bar, called Na Ning.

20. Day 2. Off to Samar.
On the second day, we found ourselves on the road to
Samar, the neighboring province of Leyte.

21. We saw more devastation caused by super typhoon Yolanda.

22. San Juanico Bridge
We crossed the longest bridge in the country that
spanned over two kilometers connecting two provinces.

23. Basey, Eastern Samar
Basey was not also spared of the destruction caused by
the typhoon.

24. There we played with the children.

25. We also gave out books to the kids.

26. And loot bags to the mothers and fathers.

27. Our hosts prepared their local delicacies for us.

28. Back to Leyte.
As we headed back to Leyte, we made a side trip to Palo.

29. We visited the famous landing site of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

30. We heard mass at the Sto. Niño Church.

31. Then dinner at my friend’s restaurant, Calle Z Café.

32. Day 3 – Sightseeing.
Our last day was spent on a tour of the Sto. Niño Shrine
and Heritage Museum.

33. We also shopped for souvenir shirts.

34. Then headed back to Manila.

35. Till our next trip!