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Friday, March 29, 2024

School children of Tacloban learn lessons from Alaska

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SCHOOL children of Tacloban, Leyte learned important lessons in the Alaska Basketball Clinic held at the Utap Basketball Court last July 14 and 15.

Two hundred fifty students of Anibong Elementary School and Don Vicente Quintero Memorial School were treated to a nutritious Gatas for Breakfast and then taught the fundamentals of basketball by Alaska’s basketball coaches on July 14 and 15.

The lessons and the activities were especially important for the children of who suffered deep scars inflicted by Yolanda.   

According to Anibong Elementary School teacher Paul Niño Catanduanes the children witnessed a storm surge bring a 30-foot wall of seawater which lifted a ship from the ocean all the way to the middle of the barangay. Container vans floating on the raging waters demolished every single house and building.

School children of Anibong Elementary School participate enthusiastically in the basketball clinic conducted by Alaska Milk for children of Tacloban, Leyte held at the Utap Basketball Court last July 14. The children were treated to a nutritious breakfast and then taught the fundamentals of basketball. Reuel Vidal

Most of the residents of Anibong barely escaped with their lives when Yolanda came roaring in at  6 a.m.  that fateful day. Catanduanes said a toilet bowl was the only remaining upright structure in his entire house after the deluge. The rest of the barangay, like the entire city of Tacloban, was equally devastated.

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The carnage happened years ago. Barangay Anibong and the rest of Tacloban have been rebuilt and few signs of the devastation can be seen. Only memories remain among the children and Alaska hopes that activities such as the basketball clinic can help them forget.

“Since Tacloban was badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda more than two years ago, assistance for the improved well-being of the children is needed. Their recovery from the typhoon was not fast enough. AMC does not only aid them through added nutrition in milk alone but also with active lifestyle and nutrition education. AMC aims to build awareness on the importance of outdoor play and sports and instill the importance of daily breakfast to support the children’s daily activities,” said AMC Marketing Services Assistant Manager Cecile Jacela.

Children enjoyed champorado with Alaska Milk, pandesal with condensed milk and a nutritious glass of milk for breakfast. They then participated in a basketball clinic conducted by Alaska’s basketball coaches.

Former Philippine national basketball team player Andrea Stevens (center) teaches two girls the proper way to execute a basketball stance as part of the lessons for school children for Tacloban. Reuel Vidal

“Basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines. It also builds endurance, improves balance and coordination, builds up muscle and develops concentration and self-discipline. It also develops a sense of team work for the players. It is a very attractive sport for children both boys and girls to be involved in since it encourages outdoor play and avoid a sedentary lifestyle,” said Jacela.

Alaska doesn’t just provide proper nutrition to the school children of Tacloban, through the School Milk Program, it also teaches them the value of an active, healthy lifestyle through basketball.

Anibong Elementary School teacher Mary Grace Batucan stressed the importance of teaching children to participate in constructive activities such as sports.

“Para sa amin makakatulong itong programa sa mga bata especially nag-e-enjoy sila. Lalo na ngayon napapanahon ito sa programa ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte laban sa droga. Pwede itong maka attract ng attention ng mga bata para maiwasan ang masamang bisyo at sumama na lang sila sa sports at mag basketball na lang sila,” said Batucan.

The school children didn’t just receive lessons on proper nutrition. They were also taught the importance of exercise and a healthy lifestyle; learned important values such as teamwork, cooperation and sportsmanship; and sent on the road to nation-building as well.

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