September 26, 2025
41 families receive aid after fire in Malanday, Marikina
By Dorothy Castro
The recent fire in Bronze Street, Malanday, Marikina City, last September 13 came at its worst: the flames destroying years’ worth of families’ hard work in less than an hour.
Upon hearing of this devastation from the team of Marikina volunteers, Tzu Chi immediately conducted an ocular visit and distributed relief items to 41 families currently staying at an evacuation center in Sampaguita Street. These included groceries, as well as basic home supplies and clothing.
Malanday, Marikina, has a long history with Tzu Chi after years of relief from typhoons and other disasters; some beneficiaries are even consistent coin can donors. Grateful for the continued support, Barangay Captain Mak Alfonso felt that “despite these challenges, God sends [people] who help, just as Tzu Chi is here with us today.”
Among those helped were Tzu Chi scholars and a volunteer who lost their homes to the fire.
To Tzu Chi scholar alumna Roxanne Pandaan, this was a trial that dampened her courage at a most crucial time in her life.
It was early in the morning when the aspiring educator was in the midst of studying for her upcoming board exams when the fire broke out. At the height of panic and fear, all she could bring with her was her Notice of Admission form for the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) scheduled for the 21st of September.
She could only cry while recounting this week-long trial―perhaps, she thought to herself, this was the end of her opportunity to take the LET, as she was shaken and feeling unprepared for the exam.
Yet, with her mother’s encouragement and her classmates’ support, she was able to take the exam. Now, one challenge remains: picking up the pieces after losing their home.
Tzu Chi’s timely arrival for the relief distribution was a ray of hope, providing her with much-needed support in navigating her next steps. “Even though I’ve already graduated [last 2024], Tzu Chi is still helping me,” she said.
Among the many Marikina-based Tzu Chi volunteers who showed support that day was a courageous resident who put others first before herself. Wilma Buenaventura, a longtime Tzu Chi volunteer, was another of the many individuals who lost their homes during the fire. Yet, with unwavering diligence, she participated in the relief distributions, carrying relief items and distributing them to her neighbors and people in her community.
Buenaventura also faced a discouraging loss: upon visitation, fellow volunteers saw that there was nothing left of her home. Wanting to save her grandchildren first, Buenaventura was unable to bring any valuables with her. The blue-and-white Tzu Chi uniform she wore during the distribution was lent to her by fellow volunteers who sympathized with her situation.
Even still, her commitment as a volunteer took precedence. She helped in coordinating the relief operations, taking the lead in the ocular visitation to assess the damage in the street.
“This is my vow as a [Tzu Chi] volunteer. Even if I face trials, my volunteerism will never waver, I will always be happy to help others,” Buenaventura said.
A week after the fire in Bronze Street, Malanday, Marikina, families continue to stay at a nearby evacuation area as their homes were reduced to ashes.
Tzu Chi volunteer Wilma Buenaventura (left) and her grandson, Tzu Chi scholar Daniel Buenaventura visit the empty space that used to be their home.
Tzu Chi volunteers conduct an ocular visit to assess the damages to the beneficiaries’ homes.
Even with her own home burned, Tzu Chi volunteer Wilma Buenaventura finds strength in helping others before herself.
Beneficiaries claim their relief distribution stubs.
Sacks of rice, clothing, and buckets containing groceries and home supplies were given to the beneficiaries.
Tzu Chi staff member Julie Collado gives words of encouragement to beneficiaries, reminding them that there is hope to start over after this difficult time.
Barangay Captain of Malanday, Marikina, Mak Alfonso expresses his gratitude to Tzu Chi for their continued help to the community.
A heartfelt moment, beneficiaries and volunteers hold hands as they sing “One Family.”
Beneficiaries continue to help others by sharing their blessings through the Tzu Chi coin can.
Volunteers and beneficiaries exchange bows during the relief distribution.
Wilma Buenaventura may have lost her home to the fire, but this Tzu Chi volunteer puts others’ needs first.
Volunteers prepare the relief items.
Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEO Woon Ng (right) encourages scholar alumna Roxanne Pandaan (center), who recently took the Licensure Exam for Teachers a week after the fire broke out.
Tzu Chi scholar Roxanne Pandaan puts her palms together in gratitude before receiving relief items.
Beneficiaries include Tzu Chi scholar alumna Roxanne Pandaan (second from left), volunteer Wilma Buenaventura (center), and scholar Daniel Buenaventura (first from right).