STUFFED TOY | PHILIPPINES

SHANE CARMACETE

What personal item would you protect if your home was about to be flooded? Marciano Ibañez faced that decision when the Davao River flooded nearby towns in the area in 2013.

At the tender age of 12, Shane’s world was forever altered by Super Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda). The storm not only left physical devastation but also robbed her of the simple comforts of childhood.

In the aftermath, with only her grandmother and uncle by her side, the responsibility to help rebuild and recover fell heavily on young shoulders. Shane found herself prematurely thrust into maturity, compelled to assist in the difficult process of post-typhoon life. Yolanda became a harsh dividing line between the carefree days of childhood and the harsh realities of adulthood. The vivid memory of her 12-year-old self, stripped of the chance to savor the joys of youth, underscores the profound impact of climate change, stealing from the younger generation a brighter and safer future.

Object of Memory

A stuffed toy, a timeless symbol of comfort for many, takes on a poignant meaning for a 12-year-old girl whose childhood was robbed by the relentless force of extreme weather events. This cherished toy, intended for solace and joy, has become a reminder of disrupted normalcy. The once innocent and carefree play of childhood has given way to the harsh reality of environmental upheavals, altering the course of her young life. In the clutches of Super Typhoon Haiyan’s fury, this stuffed toy now embodies both the innocence lost and the resilience demanded in the face of a changing climate.