July 18, 2024
A hope that continues on: Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village
By Dorothy Castro
A vision of a village with comfortable housing, and a holistic community that cares for the environment: The Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village is a symbol of the love that Tzu Chi Founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen has for the families recovering from the devastation brought by the Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013.
On July 11, Tzu Chi Foundation opened the Palo Great Love Village to 53 families, marking a fresh start to their lives. Since 2013, these families have been living in the prefabricated housing provided by Tzu Chi after the typhoon caused massive destruction, and the loss of homes and livelihood.
This turnover event is the result of Tzu Chi’s dedication and long-term vision for these families. To this day, Tzu Chi continues to walk with Palo, Leyte on the path of recovery from the lasting effects of the typhoon. Now, these 53 families can have a home they can call their own.
Architect Gem Marielle Lim, a Tzu Chi volunteer, prepared the master plan and design of the houses, keeping in mind Master Cheng Yen’s vision of the Palo Great Love community.
“I am very happy because [this is the product of] all the blood, sweat, and tireless nights to make this happen,” she said.
More than a neighborhood, the 1.4-hectare Palo Great Love Village is the perfect definition of a community. Each 50-square-meter home features two to three bedrooms, a toilet and bath, and kitchen. Neighborhoods are well-planned with spaces where families can spend time tending to their gardens. There is also a daycare where children can learn and play together. A livelihood center is located within the village wherein members of the community can create products to provide for themselves and their families. There is also the Great Love Multi-Function Hall where the community can convene for meetings of scholars’ monthly Humanity class.
Master Cheng Yen’s mission of environmental protection is apparent in this community. “We made sure this is also green and sustainable because we installed solar-powered lights, and rainwater harvesting because usually in Palo, it's raining half the day. We used nature to make sure houses are sustainable,” Architect Lim explained.
The turnover, led by Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez, included the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the unveiling of the markers of the Great Love Multi-Function Hall and the Livelihood Training Center, followed by a touching sign language performance of the song “Isang Pamilya” from the scholars.
Woon Ng, deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Philippines, read the message of Master Cheng Yen at the opening remarks of the turnover event. “It is our hope that the residents of Palo Great Love Village will carry forward the love they have received, to care for each other, protect the environment, and build a community filled with compassion, love, and purity. May this land remain steadfast in all weathers, free from disasters, and forever serene and peaceful,” she said.
Unveiling the livelihood center, Angelo King Foundation Inc. President Teddy Kingsu emphasized the need for livelihood. “Having a house is really just a beginning. The key is livelihood to really raise your living,” he shared.
Another highlight of the event was the turnover of the 53 house keys and special tokens to the recipients. They also received housewarming gifts that will make their move to a new home more comfortable. The housewarming gifts included home items such as blankets, mats, cooking utensils, a gas stove, as well as toiletries and other essentials.
Many esteemed guests attended the turnover of the village to its residents: Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla, Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla, Palo Vice Mayor Jonathan P. Chiquillo, Sangguniang Barangay members of Barangay San Jose, Palo, and representatives of the Angelo King Foundation, Inc. They are part of Tzu Chi Foundation’s successful efforts to build the Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village.
Governor Petilla, expressed his joy at the construction of the village. “You have a nice house like you're in a private subdivision… But you're actually living here and again, it doesn't cost you anything other than to follow the rules of the organization,” he said.
Mayor Petilla, during her speech, looked back at Tzu Chi’s presence during the difficult times in Palo. “Tzu Chi was here in Palo [a] long time ago, ten years ago. I remember Henry Yuñez and Sally Yuñez, and all of you here, working together for temporary housing… And that was a beautiful showcase of what people can do when people are bound together by love and willingness to help each other,” she recalled.
With gratitude towards everyone who made the recovery from Yolanda possible, Mayor Petilla said: “I thank all of you from the bottom of the heart of Palo. I thank all of those who labored and walked on the mud, and putting up the temporary housing, and now, this beautiful permanent housing.”
One of the people who lived in Tzu Chi’s temporary housing since 2013 is Alice Tupaz. With a lost home and livelihood, Tupaz had newfound hope through Tzu Chi as she worked as a seamstress. With Tzu Chi by her side, she was able to support her family. “I’m very thankful because since the beginning…Tzu Chi has been helping us,” she said.
The journey of recovery was not easy for Tupaz. A family of seven living in Salvacion and displaced by Yolanda, Tupaz and her family moved to Tzu Chi’s temporary housing. However, her family encountered another challenge as her husband lost his livelihood after figuring in an accident. Her husband, who sustained many broken bones, required surgery and implants. Tzu Chi Foundation helped through cash assistance while Tupaz worked as the breadwinner of her family.
Looking back at her journey with Tzu Chi, she recalled the many times that the foundation was by her side. “Tzu Chi Foundation’s help is always from the heart. They never walk away after helping you. Tzu Chi will always be here to help you, guide you, until you reach where you want to be,” Tupaz tearfully shared.
With her work as a seamstress at the Great Love Livelihood Center and leadership in the community, she is to become the Homeowners’ Association president. When asked about her dreams for the Palo Great Love Village, Tupaz said: “My dream for our village is to continue what we started, our unity, and the understanding for each other. That no matter what happens, we are here, we will stand up, and we will help each other for our community.”
On 1.4 hectares of land, Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village is now home to 53 families.
The Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village is a community located in Barangay San Jose, Palo, Leyte.
The Great Love Multi-Function Hall serves as a common area for community meetings, and Humanity classes for scholars.
Tzu Chi volunteers worked hard in preparing the tokens for the house recipients days before the turnover ceremony.
A red cloth is placed over the plaque at the Great Love Multi-Function Hall.
The plaque at the Great Love Multi-Function Hall provides visitors with an overview, a timeline of the decade of recovery from Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), to the fulfillment of the Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village.
Volunteers coming from different locations of Tzu Chi in the Philippines put in hours of hard work preparing each housewarming gift for the residents.
Tzu Chi scholars contributed to the preparations for both the turnover and the medical mission that took place in Palo.
A Tzu Chi volunteer helps by cleaning the windows of the recipients’ homes.
The tents used during the turnover ceremony were carried by Tzu Chi volunteers and staff.
Decorative plants were carefully planted at the Great Love Multi-Function Hall.
A resident at the village, alongside her loving pet, prepares her garden for the turnover.
Residents of the village explore their new community by tricycle.
A seamstress works on sewing garters for underwear at the livelihood center.
Volunteers all laugh and smile while carrying the housewarming gifts for the residents.
No item is too heavy for Tzu Chi volunteers, they always work hard with a smile.
No item is too heavy for Tzu Chi volunteers, they always work hard with a smile.
A landmark at the Palo Great Love Village is a tree that didn’t collapse from the strong rains and rising floods of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013.
Tzu Chi scholars carry the flags of Tzu Chi Foundation to the gate in preparation for the turnover.
Tzu Chi Volunteer Sally Yuñez (first from left) presents the bags sewn by the members of the livelihood center.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (seventh from left) alongside distinguished guests, led the opening of the Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village.
(From left) Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla, Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla, Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez, and Angelo King Foundation Inc. President Teddy Kingsu cut the ribbon at the turnover ceremony of the Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village.
Tokens symbolizing the Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Livelihood Center are presented to Angelo King Foundation Inc., who greatly contributed to its construction.
Tokens and keys to the houses are prepared for the residents.
Housewarming gifts are also prepared for the residents.
Gifts for the residents include essentials such as toiletries, cups and utensils, tablecloths, and other needs.
A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the plaque at the Great Love Multi-Function Hall.
Representatives from Angelo King Foundation Inc., led by President Teddy Kingsu (second from left), and Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (third from left) pose together at the unveiling of the plaque at the livelihood center.
Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla (left) and Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez check out the permanent houses for the residents.
Tzu Chi volunteers are very happy to see the smiles on the residents’ faces as they receive their house keys.
Tzu Chi volunteers present the tokens and house keys to the residents of the Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village.
A resident and Tzu Chi volunteer smiles after receiving her house keys.
A recipient proudly shows his house keys.
Beneficiaries turn over the contents of their coin cans to help more people in need.
Beneficiaries pay it forward by donating the contents of their coin cans.
Tzu Chi scholars happily gives a sign language performance of the song “Isang Pamilya” (One Family).
A Tzu Chi scholar happily gives a sign language performance of the song “Isang Pamilya” (One Family).
Architect Gem Marielle Lim found great joy in the culmination of the construction of the Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village.