TACLOBAN CITY - Survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan prayed for their dead loved ones in the devoutly Catholic Philippines on Wednesday on the 10th anniversary of a storm that killed more than 6,000 people.

Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, unleashed winds of up to 315kmh and whipped up tsunami-like waves that devastated central islands in the archipelago nation.

Tacloban, the capital of Leyte province, bore the brunt of the storm’s fury and was almost totally destroyed by 5m-high storm surges that crashed over mostly poor coastal communities.

A decade later, people returned to Tacloban’s seaside convention centre – which was used as an evacuation site during Haiyan – for a Catholic mass to remember the victims and pay tribute to those who helped rebuild the city.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr attended the ceremony, along with members of his Cabinet, foreign diplomats and survivors of the storm.

“Ten years have gone by and yet the memory of this tragedy remains indelible in our hearts and in our thoughts,” he said.

Mr Marcos said the Philippines needs to build “stronger and more resilient communities” in the face of climate change, which scientists have long warned is making storms more powerful.

Dark grey clouds hung over the city on Wednesday, adding to the sombre atmosphere of the anniversary.

About 6,300 people were killed by Haiyan. A decade later, more than 1,000 are still missing. More than four million people were left homeless.

Residents plan to place lit candles along the city’s streets in the evening to remember the people who were lost in the disaster.

Mr Marlon Tano, 56, thought he was going to die during Haiyan when storm surges swamped the building where he had sought shelter. Steel bars on the windows trapped him and others inside.

“We did not expect the water to enter the building,” he said. “I was able to rescue, maybe, six children. I rode a sofa or cabinet that was floating and was able to reach the ceiling.”

Mr Tano planned to light candles on his street and “pray for the souls of Typhoon Yolanda victims”, he said, using the Philippine name for the storm.

Vicar-General Erlito Maraya, who led Wednesday’s mass, said at the convention centre that “there is life after Yolanda”.

“No wind or water, no matter how strong, can wash our faith away,” Father Maraya said.

Mr Emmanuel Corbilla, 63, is among the lucky ones who did not lose any family members in the storm.

As the head of his village, he encouraged his constituents to attend mass in honour of those who died and to light candles for them.

“We light candles to demonstrate our love for the victims and as a gesture of thanks to God for giving us a second life,” he said. AFP