Project Rainbow

Healing children survivors’ trauma

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

50 super-typhoon Yolanda survivor kids, all aged 8 years old, battle disaster trauma through the healing process of doing art pieces for auction. A showcase, and proof, of the innate wellspring of hope in children channeled through pieces colored and created by the most resilient Grade II pupils of Brgy. Tindag in Tacloban, Leyte.

“Hanging on the Globe Gallery walls are art pieces by the children of Tacloban. In commemoration of Yolanda’s anniversary, Aspac Creative Communications (ACC) undertook to raise funds to help support trauma workshops for the kids that were severely affected emotionally by the unfortunate incident. Today, even with the slightest drizzle, these kids cower in fear. A major part of this rehabilitation project is to help these kids get over the imprint of trauma through art. The good thing is, hope in children is innate,” shared Angel Antonio, president and chief operating officer of ACC.

Simply dubbed “Project Rainbow (PR),” the undertaking was born out of the idea that children are innately optimistic. After super-typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) ravaged Tacloban City, many children were left alone, orphaned and traumatized. This inspired ACC to conduct the Rainbow Experiment by giving survivor children some crayons and images of their damaged surroundings. The workshop was conducted in a classroom setting.

What the team saw blew them away. Now, the 50 colored artworks created by the most resilient and determined kids are on display for everyone to see.

“The idea for this project was fermented right after the experiment, which we conducted a hundred days after disaster hit Tacloban City, while doing relief operations. One of the ad world’s prolific directors, Sid Maderazo, offered to have his black-and-white photographs reproduced and colored by the kids. We gave out the B&W images at random. We gathered all the Grade II pupils into a single room at the Tindag Elementary School.

“The kids gamely colored the photographs the way they saw things and not one showed a dreary hue. We gathered all the art pieces right after the workshop. Most of the works sold more than their purchase value,” enthused Antonio.

The artworks come with a minimum donation price, ranging from P 8,000 to P15,000. Donors may opt to purchase the artwork at a higher value. Interested parties simply identify the artwork(s) they like and quote their donation. Benefactors will be covered by an acknowledgment receipt and the artwork will be delivered to the specified address within a week after the end of the exhibit.

“We hope to raise over half a million in donation money. Proceeds of this project will be used to fund ongoing trauma workshops for the typhoon children survivors in Leyte and other areas hit by natural disasters. Do consider them as your possible gifts to friends and family this Christmas. We’ll gladly welcome your benevolence. We also have other branded merchandise that you can check on our Web site and we will gladly accept your orders. Our innovation as an agency is in wanting to deliver so much more,” Antonio said in closing.

ACC is currently celebrating its Ruby Jubilee (40^th year anniversary). It was named Independent Agency of the Year in 2010 and then again in 2012.

The Project Rainbow art auction and exhibit will run until Nov. 14^th at the Globe Art Gallery in the Basement 1 of the Globe Tower along the corner of 32^nd and 7^th Streets inside the sprawling Bonifacio Global City. For more information, simply log-on to the campaign Web site, www.projectrainbow.ph.