“Inanod ng alon si Mama, nasa ilalim ng kahoy. Waray na Mama (Mama was taken by the waves, underneath the driftwood. Mama is gone.),” six-year old Aldrin Awa-aw recounts his horrific experience of super typhoon Yolanda.

“Gusto ko sana buhay pa si Mama (I wish mama was still alive.),” Aldrin adds amid the supposed joyful Christmas season.

As a Christmas gift to Aldrin and nearly 600 children affected by Yolanda, Rescue 5, the Emergency Response Unit of TV5 News and Information (News5), gave them copies of its specialized activity book on disaster preparedness in Waray, the native language in Leyte.

Its distribution was part of Rescue 5’s “Regalo sa Pasko 2013” project held in Tacloban City last December 20. The team also handed out 72-hour survival kits (backpacks containing emergency devices, school supplies and ready-to-eat snacks) to kids.

“We developed a Waray edition of the Rescue 5 activity book so that the kids affected by Yolanda can better understand how they can protect themselves during disasters,” TV5 Public Service Sherryl Yao said.

The activity book also helped in the play therapy of children affected by Yolanda.

“Coloring the activity book is an effective way to alleviate the trauma they are experiencing. At the same time, they gain knowledge on what to do in times of calamities,” Yao added.

The Rescue 5 activity book has passed the review of the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Yung mga activity book na binigay ng Rescue 5 ay makabuluhan. Natutunan ng mga bata kung ano yung basic tips na dapat nilang gawin sa oras ng kalamidad. Simple at madali itong maiintindihan ng mga bata (The activity books Rescue 5 distributed are meaningful. The kids learned the basic tips they need in times of disaster. It is simple and easy to understand.), said DepEd Tacloban City Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Carmela Tamayo.

News5 anchor Paolo Bediones likewise conducted a disaster preparedness demo that includes making an improvised floatation device.

To complete the day’s activities, Rescue 5 held a football clinic with volunteer coaches and the Philippine Army at the Leyte National Sports Complex in line with the kids’ play therapy.

Project partners are Maynilad, Philex Mining Corporation, Smart, Sterling Paper Products Enterprises, Inc., Chris Sports, and SKLZ.