Moises Padilla’s ‘Lights On’ honors Typhoon Tino victims

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By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo led Moises Padilla’s annual “Lights On” Christmas tradition on Dec. 14, 2025, a date that also coincides with the birthday of her late father and Garcia family patriarch, former Mayor Jose Jogar Garcia.

This year’s celebration carried a different focus as the ceremony was dedicated to victims of Typhoon Tino as a moment of spiritual healing and a reaffirmation of faith and trust in God.

Organizers said the activity carried a message that there is light in hope and that the community can rise again despite the trials brought by Typhoon Tino.

The theme, “Rise in the Light of Hope,” reflected the town’s resolve that unity and cooperation can help residents overcome the hardships caused by Typhoon Tino and move forward with life.

Moises Padilla is a landlocked municipality in Negros Occidental, and local officials said it was among the towns most severely affected by Typhoon Tino.

Typhoon Tino, known internationally as Kalmaegi, tore through parts of the central Philippines in early November 2025 and affected areas including Negros Occidental, prompting evacuations and widespread flooding in some communities.

In Moises Padilla, homes, long-earned possessions, livelihoods, and even lives were lost, a press release said.

It said 15 individuals remain missing and families continue to pray for their safe recovery, while 16 deaths were recorded.

Six hanging bridges connecting communities to the town proper were destroyed, with rebuilding needs estimated at PHP 90 million.

The press release also cited a total of 362 families that need to be relocated.

Yulo announced a one-hectare lot donation from her uncle, Eric Golez, who manages the estate of his mother, Cecilia Montilla Garcia Golez.

She said the donated land is being subdivided for displaced families in Barangay Inolingan.

She added that those in other barangays have already relocated, and some decided to live with relatives.

Yulo said the local government also decided not to hold a Christmas party, and that the funds will instead be used to buy goods for municipal employees who were also affected by Typhoon Tino.

In her message, the mayor sought to uplift victims’ spirits, assuring them the local government is doing everything possible to help them recover and rebuild, while saying the tragedy was something no one expected and that she, too, feels the sorrow.

She emphasized, however, that the experience should not be a reason to lose faith in God.

Messages of support were also delivered by Julian Gatuslao, representing 5th District Representative Dino Yulo, and Provincial Board Member Haji Trujillo.

Vice Mayor Pimpoy Yulo also shared the hardships his family endured, including their imprisonment as a couple and an ambush incident in which they lost their eyesight, and said they entrusted everything to prayer and continued to place their faith in the Almighty.

“Through unity, we will rise again,” Vice Mayor Yulo said.

As part of the activity, affected residents were given Christmas packs, while a Concert of the Soul capped the Lights On program.