1. ART WORKSHOP IN
S. JOSE DULAG / TACLOBAN / LEYTE / VISAYAS /
PHILIPPINES
Tacloban, a city located in Leyte, Visayas, REGION VIII, of
PHILIPPINES, was hit by Super typhoon YOLANDA in 8
November 2013. With 375 kph of howling winds and strong rains. A
Tsunami-like storm smashed on the pacific shores of SAMAR AND
LEYTE. Was more brutal than other areas.
The devastation in these island provinces was more jolting and
extensive than that of the other Visayan provinces. More than 6.200
People were killed. Over 2.000 others were declared missing. An
estimated 1.1 million houses were severely damaged or destroyed. 4
million People were rendered homeless. Around 33 million coconut

2. trees were broken or uprooted. A total of 30.000 Fishing boats were
swept away or wrecked. Some $ 788 million would be needed for
shelter and livelihood to rehabilitate and restore the Yolanda-hit areas
in SAMAR and LEYTE. ( Estimates are based on official statistics of the UNITED NATIONS
and reported by BUSINESS WORLD. See “THE NATION” BUSINESS WORLD, FEBRUARY 17, 2014. ).
It was in Macau, I meat a young
Philippine Artist, Melissa Yeung.
I propose to her to go to Tacloban
help the survivor kids with an
ART THERAPY PROJECT.
Melissa was happy with the Idea,
and Propose to Me to go to Manila
to Meet her there.
I fly from Macau to Manila on 16
of February. My Colleague gave
to Me contacts and offer to Me to
stay in her family home in Manila.
( my public thanks to Family
YEUNG )
During one month I was contacting with several persons who seems
to Me and my friend, can help and support the project.
I had contact with a Philippine government Department DSWD –
Development Social Welfare Department; UNICEF, Team in
TACLOBAN: among others.
Despite My “ ART THERAPY PROJECT “ received praises and
welcomes, from ALL , I didn’t get any Financial sponsor and help to
support the expenses …: As Materials for the kids work:
accommodation : nourishment : flight to Tacloban ; etc.

3. Lucky I was, when I consider to
come back to Macau and forget the
idea, I sold a painting in Manila.
Then I get a contact in the last
minute from the Kapitana Eng
Evangeline, from Barangay S. Jose
Dulag offer to Me her family
residence to stay and the possibility
to go to Her Barangay and developed an ART WORSHOP for the
Kids there. With Money to support the expenses and this kind contact,
I flight right away to Tacloban. Eng Evangeline was in the airport to
received Me. ( My Public Thanks to Her, without her support it was
not possible.).
I arrived a few days before, 5 months after the passage of
YOLANDA. I can’t continue without describe my first vision of the
airport and all way until S.Jose Dulag. It was a shock. I don’t have
words…
The human experience I had with those kids was, amazing and
incredible. We can’t imagine how those children answer and worked
with happiness and a smile in them faces…Producing great quality
and beautiful Art works.

4. During three weeks, I conducting an ART WORSHOP there in High
School of S. Jose Dulag, ( my public Thanks to teacher Mr Go, who
received Me in his School giving all Support needed ).
In the beginning was difficult, around 130 kids join the workshop.
But, the way those kids behavior it was well done.
As I consider ART THERAPY a serious matter and as I am not a
Doctor or even a Therapist, without a Health Team, with the
leadership of a Psychologist Doctor, it is quite impossible to do so.
I just did an ART WORSHOP, with all freedom that can give to the
participants and Myself. However, my contact with the reality in
there, Gave to Me the Impression of still have a long way to walk to
solve all psychological Problems of those poor kids, as well, balance
them emotions and feelings. Is Truth, ART can HELP.
Help to improve mental and emotional Well-being; express them
emotions and feelings in a free way; to gain enough power to became
more positive; gain self-confidence; self-aware etc … I believe can
really Help them to develop good habits and provide a great sense of
accomplishment and will provide Creative and Human skills for an
enjoyable and sustainable personal development and growth.
Joaquim Franco
Visual ARTIST