Colorful Yolanda Shrine Sparks Online Disapproval
LEYTE – A newly repainted version of the Yolanda Shrine in Tanauan, Leyte, is gaining a lot of attention online—but not in a good way.
The monument, called Surge of Hope, was meant to honor those who lost their lives during Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Originally painted in simple white and yellow colors, it was recently repainted with brighter, more playful shades on July 6, 2025. Many netizens did not like the change.
The Surge of Hope stands on what used to be a mass grave for over 3,000 unidentified typhoon victims. It was first unveiled in April 2015 and was funded by Smart Communications and Granix Distributions Inc. of Procter & Gamble. The monument’s two spiral columns represent the height of the storm surge that hit the town. Figures of people symbolize those who died, while birds represent hope after the tragedy.
However, after the colorful repainting, many people online expressed disappointment. Some said the monument now looked like a children’s playground. Others felt that while the bright colors were eye-catching, they took away the solemn message of the shrine. Some even found the new look disrespectful, saying it seemed like the tragedy was being celebrated rather than remembered properly.
As of now, the local government of Tanauan has not issued an official statement regarding the repainting. Many people are waiting for an explanation. The news outlet that reported the story has said they are open to publishing the local government’s side.
While the new colors were likely meant to make the shrine look more lively, many feel that the simple original design was more appropriate for such a meaningful memorial. To recall, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the Philippines on November 8, 2013, killing over 6,000 people and devastating coastal communities, especially in Leyte.