Nearly 1 year after Yolanda, survivors exhibit ‘hope’ art

Starting Thursday, Oct. 16, some survivors of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) will exhibit art works that show not only their resilience but also their hopes.

The artists are from Tacloban City, one of the areas hit hardest by Yolanda on Nov. 8 last year, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said.

Dubbed the "Paglaum Paper Clay Art Exhibit," the exhibit initially ran at the Resorts World Manila from Oct. 1 to 5. It may be viewed at the Manila Fame Expo at the SMX Mall of Asia on Oct. 16 to 19.

It may then be viewed at the Manila Art Expo, SMX Aura on Oct. 18 to 19.

“Each one has a story to tell. Paglaum means hope in Visayas,” Tindog Tacloban Movement founder and executive director Jhoey Hernandez said of the survivors.

Yolanda had left more than 6,000 dead last year.

Among the art works in the exhibit are:

Hernandez said the exhibit “is a transformational project,” with the artists bouncing back from hopelessness.

Also, Hernandez said the artists want to share the therapeutic nature of art with other Yolanda survivors by volunteering for a mentoring program.

“We will be holding workshops not just in schools in Tacloban but also in temporary shelters,” Hernandez said. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News