'The Football Wonder of Tacloban' shows the power of sport in raising Typhoon Yolanda relief

17-year-old John Wayne Regis walked up to the podium, tablet in hand, wearing the kit of his new UFL team.

Growing up, Regis had always wanted to help his family in Tacloban by playing football, a sport this father taught him at age six. But Yolanda struck and took away his home. His family was spared, but his father had lost his job.

Fortunately, a twist of fate gave Regis hope.

"Playing for Global FC is a dream come true," read the teen.

Regis is one of the faces of Yolanda survivors featured in the seven-minute documentary “The Football Wonder of Tacloban” by Swiss director Michael Steiner. Sponsored by the United Nations Development Program, the film calls on football fans worldwide to help in rebuilding the Yolanda-hit region.

"I live in both worlds, back and forth between Philippines and Switzerland," Steiner told GMA News Online and other media after the documentary's Philippine launch on Thursday.

His wife, Minerva, hailed from Tacloban, and her family owned a school in the city.

"We [himself and the Swiss ambassador] were discussing about how to get attention which can be sustainable, there are millions of football fans out there and Tacloban is basically the heart of the Azkals because [Azkals manager] Dan Palami is from there," said Steiner, a self-described football fan.

With the FIFA World Cup happening in a little over three month's time, Steiner hopes that the football connection to Tacloban can reach out to fans worldwide.

"We are hoping that these people can send the movie to each other over the internet and see this side of football," said Steiner.

Regis is currently staying in Quezon City where he is home-schooled, while his father was employed by UNDP's program in Tacloban.

"Unti-unti na silang umaahon," the Chieffy Caligdong-fan told media about his family back in Tacloban. When asked, Regis also said that one UAAP school has already gauged his interest in playing collegiate football.

The seven-minute film banks on the sport to put Tacloban under the spotlight, as calls for donation continue. A one-minute trailer was aired during the 11th Match Against Poverty, where two-thirds of the proceeds were set aside for Yolanda survivors.

Football, however, was not the only sport highlighted during post-Yolanda efforts in Tacloban.

Survivors were seen shooting hoops weeks after the storm hit and pop star Justin Bieber also played during his visit.

Football legend David Beckham meanwhile played football with kids in Yolanda-hit Leyte.

But recovery in sports-loving Tacloban and other Yolanda-hit areas will still take a lot of time. As Regis ended in his speech, survivors hope that "sana huwag ninyo po kaming kalimutan."  AMD, GMA News