DAMAGED CRUCIFIX | PHILIPPINES
LEO GAGANTE
PHILIPPINES
After overcoming the strongest typhoon in human history, Leo and his community in Salcedo continue to grapple with the worsening climate crisis. To give him the courage to overcome these challenges, Leo looks to the cross—a symbol of his steadfast faith.
Leo and his family were able to evacuate their house when Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) hit their home. After the storm had subsided, they immediately went home to check their house. Most of their possessions were damaged. Some were salvageable, while some weren't anymore. Among all these damaged possessions, it was the cross that Leo repaired first.
Repairing the cross was a testament of his gratitude and steadfast faith, as well as a reminder of what they've been through during the storm. While Haiyan may have damaged their possessions, Leo was grateful they survived the catastrophe. It was also what gave him hope and strength to recover.
OBJECT OF MEMORY
Eleven years later, Leo still kept the cross in his home. They were also able to almost fully recover from Haiyan. Even though they've been working hard to fully recover, Leo and his community in Salcedo grapples with more impacts of a worsening climate crisis–more frequent and devastating typhoons, and the extreme El Niño heat last 2024. They're also anxious of the possibility that another Yolanda may happen if climate change continues to worsen.
Despite these challenges, Leo remains hopeful and steadfast that they'd be able to overcome them. The cross has been their constant reminder that they can rise above all challenges.
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