David Beckham Lovers

Beckham visited the storm-devastated Philippine city of Tacloban on Friday He visited the hundreds of people as part of UNICEF's relief efforts Exchanged high-fives, played football and posed for pictures with locals

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 06:26 EST, 14 February 2014 | UPDATED: 08:03 EST, 14 February 2014

David Beckham used his celebrity status and football skills to entertain locals in the Philippine city of Tacloban as part of UNICEF's relief efforts on Friday.

The iconic sportsman, 38, arrived in the central city on Valentine's Day as it struggles to deal with the impact of super Typhoon Haiyan, which struck in November, killing more than 6,200 people and leaving tens of thousands of survivors still homeless.

Beckham was welcomed by hundreds who have been living in United Nations-provided tents outside a stadium.

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Arriving wearing a blac k UNICEF T-shirt with a pair of grey skinny jeans, the model also wore a backwards hat and some brown leather boots for the trip, which is is second.

As he entered the village he was greeted by a horde of excited boys, who were keen to meet one of the world's most successful sportsmen.

Moved by the reception, he then played a friendly match with them before stopping to sign autographs and pose for pictures.

Shortly after this the 38-year-old icon posed for pictures with children inside a large white tent used as a classroom as they showed him their art works.

'I was humbled to visit Tacloban and see how people are still so full of spirit despite the devastation they have suffered.

'Close to six million children are affected and many have lost loved ones,' said Beckham. 'As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, seeing how children are being given a sense of normality amidst the rubble of their communities has been amazing.

'I want to show people around the world how their generous donations have had an enormous impact on children and their families and how thankful people here are for their kindness.'

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 popstar turned designer 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 star Justin Bieber, U.S. State Secretary John Kerry, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and Australian Foreign Minister Julia Bishop.