Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park

Overview

Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park is a memorial park built around the bow of the cargo ship 'MV Eva Jocelyn', which was washed ashore by giant waves during Typhoon Haiyan (known as Yolanda in the Philippines). It is located in the Anibong district of Tacloban City, Leyte, Eastern Visayas, Philippines. The park features the preserved shipwreck as its main landmark, commemorating the residents who lost their lives during the super typhoon in 2013, and symbolizes the resilience and rebuilding of Tacloban City. The memorial park was officially opened on November 7, 2015, and although small in size, its striking visuals have made it one of the important attractions to visit in Tacloban. The park also has a stone tablet inscribed with the names of the victims and basic facilities for visitors to pause and reflect.

Getting There

Visitors can take a domestic flight to Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, and then take a taxi, motorcycle taxi, or jeepney from the city center or the airport to the Anibong district. Just inform the driver that you want to go to 'MV Eva Jocelyn Shrine/Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park', and the journey will take about 10 to 20 minutes; upon arrival, the park is right beside the road, requiring almost no walking.

Highlights

Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park is a memorial site for the typhoon disaster, featuring the real shipwreck, showcasing a strong contrast between nature's power and urban resilience. The core of the park is a structure of the bow of the 'MV Eva Jocelyn', measuring approximately 8 meters by 6 meters, fixed on a concrete base and freshly painted, allowing visitors to closely experience the shocking scene of the 3,000-ton cargo ship being pushed ashore by giant waves and crashing into homes. The park primarily serves to honor the residents who lost their lives due to the impact and storm surge caused by this ship during Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, and it also symbolizes Tacloban City's determination to rebuild, attracting numerous domestic and international visitors. Although the area is only about 120 square meters, it has become one of the most representative disaster memorial sites in Tacloban, where many visitors take photos and pause for a moment of silence to reflect on climate and disaster prevention issues.

What to See

• Bow Memorial Structure: The main feature of the park is the preserved bow of the cargo ship 'MV Eva Jocelyn', approximately 8 meters wide and 6 meters long, reinforced with steel and concrete and repainted in blue and brown, with a tiled deck and the Philippine flag prominently displayed, making it the most recognizable visual focal point. • Ship Body and Stair Platform: The city government has constructed concrete stairs and a platform in front of the bow, allowing visitors to walk up close to the ship's body for photos, also providing a slightly elevated view to overlook the surrounding settlements and the sea, imagining the height and force of the storm surge at that time. • Victims' Memorial Inscription: After 2024, a stone tablet was added to the park, inscribed with the names of 11 residents who lost their lives when the ship was driven ashore during the storm, making the memorial more tangible and reminding visitors that this is not just a tourist spot, but a site of real-life stories. • Park and Fence Facilities: The small park, about 120 square meters, is surrounded by steel railings, with a well-maintained surface, and includes a guardhouse and basic service areas to keep the environment clean and safe, facilitating visitor stays and nighttime security. • Anibong Coastal Scenery: The memorial park is located along the coast of Anibong in Tacloban, where fishing village houses and coastal views can still be seen, many visitors also take the opportunity to explore the nearby coast and neighborhoods, experiencing the atmosphere of post-disaster reconstruction intertwined with daily life.

Hours & Admission

Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park is an open public space, freely accessible at all times without specific ticketing restrictions. According to travel experiences, visiting is currently free of charge, with no admission fee, but visitors are advised to respect the local residents and the memorial nature of the site, avoiding loud noises or climbing into dangerous areas. It is recommended to visit during the day for safety and good lighting for photos; although there are guards at night, local legends speak of hearing footsteps and wails, leading many residents to avoid staying late at night.

Address

Barangay Anibong Road, Barangay 66/68 Anibong, Tacloban City, Leyte, Eastern Visayas, Philippines

Travel Tips

When visiting Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park, the ideal arrangement is to combine it with other Typhoon Haiyan-related sites in Tacloban City, such as the 'Yolanda Memorial' located near the Tacloban Astrodome in the Sagkahan district, to create a 'Disaster Memory Route'. It is advisable to visit during the dry season (approximately November to May) when the weather is more stable and visibility is good, allowing for clearer observation of the shipwreck and coastal scenery; during the rainy season, there may be heavy rain and strong winds, so weather warnings should be heeded. It is recommended to wear light, breathable clothing and sun protection, and to bring drinking water, as the park has simple facilities with limited shade and vendors. When taking photos, please be mindful of safety, avoid climbing on railings or high places on the ship, and refrain from standing too long in front of local residents' homes to show respect. If you want to learn more about the stories, you can engage with local guides or taxi drivers, who often share personal experiences and details about community rebuilding.

Nearby Dining

Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park is located in a residential area of Anibong, surrounded by local food stalls and simple eateries, perfect for tasting authentic Filipino home-cooked dishes and seafood. If you want more options, you can take a 10 to 15-minute ride back to Tacloban City center or the Astrodome and Robinsons area, where there are several fast-food chains, cafes, and local restaurants available for dining and resting. It is advisable to eat or buy drinks and snacks in the city before heading to the park, as there are no large restaurants or convenience stores near the attraction.

FAQ

Q: What is the theme of Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park? A: The theme of Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park is to commemorate the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) and symbolize the resilient spirit of Tacloban City in its post-disaster rebuilding. The park's core is the bow wreckage of the cargo ship 'MV Eva Jocelyn', which was pushed ashore by storm waves, destroying multiple homes and causing casualties, allowing visitors to reflect on climate, disaster prevention, and community recovery at the real disaster site. Q: Where is Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park located? A: Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park is located in the Anibong district of Tacloban City, Leyte, Eastern Visayas, Philippines, near Barangay Anibong Road along the coast. This area was one of the coastal communities most severely affected during Typhoon Haiyan, and the cargo ship remained here after being pushed ashore by the storm surge, later transformed by the city government into a memorial park. Q: How do I get to Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park? A: To get to Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park, you can first fly to Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, then take a taxi, motorcycle taxi, or jeepney to the Anibong district. Just tell the driver you want to go to 'MV Eva Jocelyn Shrine/Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park', and the ride will take about 10 to 20 minutes, with the attraction located right beside the road, requiring very little walking. Q: Is there an admission fee to visit Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park? A: Currently, there is no admission fee to visit Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park, as it is an open outdoor public space. Visitors can freely enter and take photos during the day, but it is recommended to follow site regulations, avoid climbing dangerous areas or lingering too long at memorial facilities, and maintain quietness and cleanliness to respect local residents and the families of the victims. Q: Can I take photos or climb on the ship's body in the park? A: You can take photos at Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park, and many visitors take pictures in front of the bow or on the stair platform, but climbing to high places on the ship or outside the railings is not recommended to avoid accidents. Although the bow structure has been reinforced, it is still a memorial facility rather than a recreational facility, so it is advisable to stay within safe areas when taking photos and avoid damaging or vandalizing the site. Q: What other attractions can I visit nearby? A: When visiting Yolanda Shipwreck Memorial Park, it is recommended to also visit another important Yolanda memorial site in Tacloban City—the 'Yolanda Monument' located near the Tacloban Astrodome in the Sagkahan district, as both sites present different aspects of disaster memory and urban rebuilding. Additionally, the Tacloban City center square, churches, and coastal promenades are also suitable for inclusion in the same day's itinerary to experience the city's history and daily life atmosphere.

Map