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Fatal Typhoon Odette Devastates CrossFit Siargao Community

December 23, 2021 by
Photo Credit: Gabe Mendoza
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At lunchtime on December 16, the fatal Typhoon Odette hit the Philippines, including Siargao Island, the home of CrossFit Siargao, and CrossFit Subtero in Cebu. As of Monday, the death toll from the typhoon had reached 375. Homes, schools and businesses were also destroyed or damaged, including CrossFit Siargao and CrossFit Subtero, and many places are still without running water and electricity and cell and internet service.

Gabe Mendoza, a coach at the now destroyed CrossFit Siargao in Surigao del Norte, was on the island when the storm hit and was lucky to be “one of the first few people to get (off) the island,” he said. Luckily, nobody from his gym was killed or injured, “but the box was destroyed.”

Meanwhile, on their Instagram page, CrossFit Subtero, which was damaged but not totally destroyed, said: “We will be closed until further notice. We are grateful the gym is still standing. Cebu, however, is in bad shape. The city has no water and electricity at the moment. Cell phone signal is weak. We will assess the damages and regroup and find out how we can help our community. For the meantime, keep safe.”

Though grateful to have escaped unscathed, Mendoza’s heart is breaking for his gym owners, Mike Breuker and Daphne Oudshoorn.

  • “This is all we have. This is all our savings,” Mendoza said of what they told him. “They badly need help to rebuild this place because this is our home,” he added.

How to donate: A crowdfunding campaign was set up to provide financial support to both gyms as they rebuild.

  • As of Wednesday, $92,065 PHP or about $1836 USD has been raised so far.

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