CHICAGO (CBS) — Survivors of the typhoon in the Philippines and longtime residents of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood returned home Monday.
Ray and Leila Villar returned to Chicago exactly one year after leaving for the Philippines. The retired couple has a home on the island on Panay, west of where Typhoon Haiyan claimed the most lives.
Ray says it is a miracle their home is still standing after three hours of 130 miles-per-hour winds and rain.
“The houses are not really built strong but made of bamboo and wood so during the typhoon, all of the houses were flattened to the ground except ours,” said Ray.
The couple was greeted by relatives, including two great-granddaughters they hadn’t met. The Villars say they plan to return to the Philippines in a few months to help get power restored and roads built.
