David Beckham brings joy to typhoon-devastated Philippine city
Beckham was welcomed by hundreds who have been living in United Nations-provided tents outside a stadium
David Beckham visited the storm-devastated Philippine city of Tacloban on Thursday as part of UNICEF’s relief efforts.
The central city is still struggling to deal with the impact of super Typhoon Haiyan, which struck on Nov. 8, killing more than 6,200 people and leaving tens of thousands of survivors still homeless.
Beckham was welcomed Thursday by hundreds who have been living in United Nations-provided tents outside a stadium.
Zafrin Chowdhury, spokeswoman for the UNICEF office in Manila, said Beckham was touched by the typhoon’s impact and wanted to meet displaced children and their families.
Beckham exchanged high-fives and posed for pictures with children inside a large white tent used as a classroom. Some showed him their art works.
He removed his shoes on entering a tent where a family has been living, stroking a sleeping infant’s hands as he spoke with family members. Officials and UNICEF staff did not say what he and the family members talked about during his 30-minute stay.
It’s Beckham’s second trip to the Philippines as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. He toured a shelter for former street children in Manila during his first visit in 2011 and also played an exhibition game with the Philippine national football team.
“He felt very touched by what happened and that he wanted to come back, not do anything else - no meeting, no media - just to focus on children and meet them, encourage them and see for himself the situation,” Chowdhury said.
Beckham also was scheduled to visit a warehouse of the World Food Program in nearby Palo town, which was also heavily devastated.
The retired football icon and his wife, Victoria, had donated some of their best designer clothes and shoes to raise funds for the typhoon victims.
The typhoon displaced more than 4 million in more than 40 provinces in the central Philippines. At least 1,700 are still missing.
Beckham’s visit followed separate trips to Tacloban in December by teen heartthrob Justin Bieber, U.S. State Secretary John Kerry, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and Australian Foreign Minister Julia Bishop.
-
Video: David Beckham speaks out for children of Syria
As many children across the world finish their first week back at school, UNICEF ambassador and supporter David Beckham has called on the public to ... Variety -
Beckham had to go after celebrity got in the way, Ferguson
David Beckham thought he was too big for Manchester United and later surrendered part of his career by moving to the United States to play for LA ... Sports -
Bend it like SIR Beckham: Football star to ‘receive Knighthood’
British footballing star David Beckham could soon be knighted after the 38-year-old was nominated for the country’s New Year’s Honors List ... Variety -
VIDEO: Bob Dylan, David Beckham steal Super Bowl ad sideshow
Major brands pay about $4 million per 30-second advertising spot during U.S. sports tournament Advertising & PR -
Beckham to announce soccer franchise decision in Miami
The football star is in discussions with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and the county commission to lease county-owned land for a stadium Sports -
Beckham says prospect of owning Miami team ‘exciting’
David Beckham said the prospect of owning a Major League Soccer team in Miami was “exciting” after he was urged to help bring a new ... Sports -
Mideast praises Beckham’s legendary history
The decision made by British football legend David Beckham, who played his last game with Paris Saint Germain (PSG) on Saturday, to end his 20-year ... Sports -
Ferguson praises ‘amazing’ Beckham’s longevity
David Beckham’s longevity and his ability to reinvent himself were “absolutely incredible”, retiring Manchester United manager Alex ... Sports