Who would ever forget the wrath of nature? Exactly one year ago, the Philippines was struck by the strongest typhoon ever recorded. Many lives were shattered, families killed and missing, infrastructures and livestock and whatnot were all wiped out. What was once considered paradise by many was transformed into a graveyard and a land full of sorrow. Yet, 'survivors' lived to fight another day. And this has fueled the passion of Filipino's bayanihan (unity) spirit to work together and reach out to those who were greatly affected by that historic event. Many countries also reached out and immediately helped our mother land. Another flicker of hope was seen human helping other humans amidst culture differences.

Now, after one year of bravely fighting to get up and move on from the tragedy, the other volunteers and I, together with the Office of Senator Bam Aquino (OSBA) initiated the biggest Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Program yet to commemorate the ?Haiyan Day?. The program was labeled as RESCYouth: Responsive, Empowered and Service-Centered Youth, a consultation and design thinking workshop. 

As observed in the past, the youth sector is always at the forefront of disaster relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation. The manpower and innovative ideas they share with the communities they help contribute to the fast and effecient emergency relief operations. This is why the youth sector is considered a significant "partner" in disaster management and communication plans. In general, this active role of the youth in disaster awareness and preparedness help boost community resilience. The OSBA believes in the potentialities of the youth in the aspect of sparking change in our society.

The program is composed of four (4) parts: Seminar, Open Forum and Consultation, Design Thinking Workshop and Workshop Output. For the seminar workshop, the OSBA invited speakers who are knowledgeable on DRR. The seminar workshop included the following subtopics: Best Practices on Local Government Units, Spirit of Volunteerism, and Media as Information Dissemination Arm. After the talk, the participants were given the chance to share their best practices through break-out groups namely Mitigation, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. This enabled the participants to learn from one another, expand networks and forge bonds with fellow young innovators. For the design thinking workshop, the participants are grouped and are asked to envision how they will gather youth organizations who are DRR experts so there can be exchange of best DRR practices among them to create an environment that will help the participants ideate new schemes that will enhance the present DRR management program in different areas of the country to impart service-learning to the participants that they may share what they have learned to their respective home communities. The workshop aims to achieve a wider network for the participants where in which they can collaborate and create innovative replicable DRR programs and projects.

At the end of the program, everyone knew they had the best program attended yet. This program is only the start of more sustainable and impact-driven programs that the government will initiate and I and the other youth will volunteer and participate. 

 Yolanda had left to the Philippines, yet it will never be forgotten for it has not only challenged the Filipino spirit, it also made the people stronger and more worthy to live a life.