St. Menard statue unveiled in Leyte on 4th annivesary of ‘Yolanda’ landfall

A statue of Saint Menard, a sixth-century bishop and considered as the patron saint against storms and other disasters, was unveiled in Tanauan, one of the worst-hit areas in Leyte when Supertyphoon “Yolanda” made landfall on Nov. 8, 2015. (Photo by JOEY A. GABIETA / Inquirer Visayas)

TANAUAN, Leyte — A 12-foot statue of  Saint Menard, patron saint against storm and other natural calamities, was unveiled on Wednesday afternoon here, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (internationally known as Haiyan).

The statute of Saint Menard was put up along a junction of Barangay San Roque, which had a death toll of 216 when Yolanda pummeled this town on Nov. 8, 2013.

Tanauan was one of the worst-hit areas during the onslaught of  Yolanda with confirmed deaths of 1,386 people in the municipality.

Fr. Dean Michael Calaneja, Tanauan parish priest, blessed the statue of Saint Menard.

The idea to put up the statue of Saint Menard in Tanauan came from Leyte Vice Gov. Carlo Loreto who wanted the statue put up to serve as a reminder to people to take care of the environment.

The statute was designed by PO1 Ryan Comilang.

Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz, chief of the Eastern Visayas Police Regional Office, said that Loreto raised the idea of putting up a statue in Tanauan.

He immediately agreed with it because it would not only serve as a memorial for Yolanda but would also make people be conscious about environment protection.

“Hope also that this will not only serve as our protector against storm and other natural disasters but also even from our personal struggles,” Cruz said.

Loreto and Cruz used their personal money for the project. They also plan to put up similar statues of Saint Menard in other areas in Leyte hit by Yolanda. /atm