Felled by Yolanda, Carlos P. Romulo statue in Leyte memorial is ‘resurrected’

Some two weeks after it was felled by Super Typhoon Yolanda, the statue of the late Carlos P. Romulo at the MacArthur Landing Memorial in Palo, Leyte was finally "resurrected" on Thursday.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino led the restoration of the memorial, including Romulo's statue, in Barangay Carandang in Palo.

"This historical monument that depicts our history should not be neglected. By restoring this memorial, we hope to inspire the Leyte people to rise again. Like General MacArthur declared, we shall return," Tolentino said.

Romulo's downed statue was one of seven bronze figures comprising the Leyte Landing Memorial led by US Army General Douglas MacArthur.

The Leyte Landing Memorial depicts MacArthur's return during World War II in Red Beach, Palo on October 20, 1944.

Under Tolentino's supervision, MMDA workers restored the Romulo statue, which had been left unattended for 20 days since Yolanda battered the Visayas.

Yolanda battered the Visayas and Southern Luzon last Nov. 8, leaving more than 5,500 dead.

In restoring Romulo's statue, MMDA workers used a welding torch then reinforced it with concrete.

Tolentino said the MMDA is "humbled" to help restore the damaged memorial, as part of its repair and rehabilitation efforts in Yolanda-damaged areas. — BM, GMA News