UNICEF exec: Christmas spirit 'very strong' in Tacloban

MANILA, Philippines - The people in Tacloban City in Leyte are still trying to celebrate the holidays despite the massive damage and loss of lives due to monster Typhoon "Yolanda," an official of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said.

According to Dr. Carla Ante Orozco, UNICEF Philippines Health Officer, the Christmas spirit is very strong in Tacloban City amid the devastation left by the disaster.

“The health workers that I interact with, they’re still excited to celebrate Christmas,” Orozo said in an article posted on the UNICEF website. “They still feel hope, but it may not be the usual festive holiday. It’s more about being with the family this time. That is more than enough.”

In the neighbor of Magallanes in Tacloban City, 18-year-old Ronis Miraflor, decorated a Christmas tree that was surrounded by debris, symbolizing hope amid the ruins.

“I want to commemorate that Jesus is coming, and also to celebrate that we are alive and that as a family, we are all together. All our family survived Typhoon Yolanda. Even if we don’t have delicious food, we are happy because we are all together," he said.

The UNICEF article said Christmas decorations in other typhoon-hit areas were made out of all sorts of things such as recycled bottles, biscuit labels and plastic foam cups.

In the Palo Central Elementary School in Leyte, colored plastic bottles were hanged on a tree while Christmas cards with thank-you messages were painted on walls.

Nine-year-old student Anna Sofia Galencian said this Christmas will be different because of the typhoon tragedy but the holiday traditions will continue.

She said Christmas is also about generosity.

“For me, Christmas is receiving regalos [gifts]. But also giving regalos to the poor people, so that they can also receive gifts,” said Sofia, whose family lost their home due to Yolanda.