December 4, 2025
Grateful to Tzu Chi and for a second chance at life
By Joy Rojas
When Tzu Chi volunteers in Manila planned a large-scale, two-day relief for over 6,000 families in Cebu displaced by the blustery winds and stories-high floods of Typhoon Tino (International name: Kalmaegi) on November 4, they called Mulric Sarmiento, a Cebu-based volunteer who, coincidentally, joined Tzu Chi 13 years ago because of a typhoon—2013’s Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Two days after Tino’s exit, Sarmiento and other Cebu volunteers were on the road, identifying areas and communities that were severely affected by the storm, as well as evacuation centers where families with partially and totally damaged homes sought shelter.
It took a lot of effort and coordination to mount the simultaneous release of claim stubs on November 28 and the actual relief distribution in Mandaue, Talisay, Consolacion, Compostela, Liloan, and Danao on November 29, but like all other relief work organized by Tzu Chi in the past, the 388 participating volunteers pulled it off.
“We’re happy and honored to be part of this activity,” said Sarmiento. “And we thank everyone for the support, especially our volunteers from Manila, Davao, Pampanga, the Visayas, and Zamboanga.”
Each beneficiary family received a 25-kg sack of rice, plus packs of noodles, milk, coffee, and other grocery items. Cash aid stored in Metrobank Pay Cards was also given to families whose homes were affected by Tino’s destruction: 5,774 families reported partially damaged homes, while the homes of 1,017 families were damaged beyond repair.
Crechell Campilan can’t swim, but when her home in Pakna-an, Mandaue, was completely submerged in floodwater, her instincts kicked in and she forced herself to swim to the surface. In her haste, she grabbed a bag that she thought contained important papers. Only later did she realize she picked up the wrong bag.
It is her only remaining material possession. Once the floodwater subsided, nothing was left of her home and belongings.
“It was like a nightmare for me,” cried Campilan, a 37-year-old factory worker and mother of two married to a Person With Disability. “Every time I encounter someone or something that reminds me of what happened, I relive the fear of swimming against the water. Thank you so much to the Lord that I survived.”
Eleanor Las Marias, 70, could only save herself when the flood practically engulfed her home in Barangay Dulmog, Talisay. Taking cover on the roof, she eventually stayed in an evacuation center. “But they ran out of food and we didn’t eat for a day,” she said.
Waking up to fast-rising floodwater entering her home, also in Dumlog, Gina Echaves found herself being swept away by the powerful current.
“Climb up the tree!” someone called out to her. Echaves did, only to fall and incur a nasty gash on her foot once she reached the top. “I tried to climb up again and I was able to hold on. Good thing I was rescued,” said Echaves. Since then, home hasn’t been the same for the 58-year-old and her husband, a delivery van driver. “Our things were washed out,” she said.
While she’s happy to receive relief goods and financial assistance for her partially damaged home, Echaves knows Tino is just one of many typhoons she’ll encounter in her lifetime.
“I hope we remain vigilant against the many tragedies that will come to us,” she said. “We should give importance to the Almighty. Always pray that we may be kept safe from the tragedies that will come to our family.”
“I’m so happy,” said Las Marias, holding back tears after claiming relief. “Now I can buy materials to rebuild our home. I’ll have a place to lay down before Christmas.”
With basic needs and the resources to construct a new home covered, Campilan’s heart goes out to Tzu Chi volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure she and others get back on their feet and move forward from a typhoon that nearly took their lives.
“I hope you are given more strength because I know you are tired,” she said. “Just like us, we are also tired. But you are tired even when you are sleeping. Still, you came. Your help to us is truly amazing.”
Indeed. Now based in Mandaue, Eva Butaya was waiting in line at the Opao gymnasium in Mandaue to receive her claim stub when a photo of Dharma Master Cheng Yen on stage made her squeal in delight. In 2010, Butaya underwent surgery and radiation for a malignant goiter through a medical mission held by Tzu Chi in Catmon. Fifteen years later, she can still count on Tzu Chi, this time in overcoming a storm.
“I told my neighbors, ‘That’s Tzu Chi! They’re good! They’ll always help you for anything, whether it’s a disaster or anything related to your health,’” she said.
You can send your donations through bank deposit to:
METROBANK, Del Monte Branch
Account Name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines
Account Number: 163-3-16307190-9
BDO
Account Name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines
Account Number: 011-9-7800180-0
Please send a copy of deposit slips or bank transaction confirmations via email at donations@tzuchi.org.ph or through Viber/Line/Wechat +639672110940
DSWD Solicitation Permit No.: DSWD-SB-PSP-S-2025-000072
Beneficiairies are all smiles as they line up in an orderly manner to claim relief at the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Talisay.
Beneficiairies are all smiles as they line up in an orderly manner to claim relief at the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Talisay.
For Tzu Chi volunteers, help extends all the way to carrying a 25-kg sack of rice for beneficiaries.
A senior citizen carries his 25-kg sack of rice with ease.
Two men say "thank you" with their thumbs.
Tzu Chi volunteer Julie Collado addresses beneficiaries at the Sisters of Mary Girlstown covered court in Talisay, Cebu.
Tzu Chi Cebu volunteer Mulric Sarmiento helped lay the groundwork for the large-scale, two-day relief operation for survivors of Typhoon Tino. “We’re happy and honored to be part of this activity,” he said.
Beneficiaries wave their claim stubs.
Beneficiaries cheer at the announcement that they would receive cash aid in addition to 25-kg rice and assorted groceries.
Tzu Chi volunteer Joy Gatdula helps a mother with an infant collect her relief items.
Tzu Chi volunteer Judy Lao reminds beneficiaries to think carefully about how they plan to spend their cash assistance.
Gina Echaves clung to a tree at the height of raging floodwaters. Grateful to be alive, she reminds everyone to “remain vigilant against the many tragedies that will come to us” and to “always pray that we may be kept safe from the tragedies that will come to our family.”
A group prayer led by Tzu Chi volunteers brings this beneficiary to tears.
In addition to receiving 25-kg rice and assorted groceries, Eleanor Las Marias was given financial assistance for losing her home during the typhoon. “I’m so happy,” she said. “Now I can buy materials to rebuild our home. I’ll have a place to lay down before Christmas.”
Before she became one of the beneficiaries of the Typhoon Tino relief, Eva Butaya experienced Tzu Chi’s compassion and generosity through a 2010 medical mission in Catmon, which covered her surgery and radiation for a malignant goiter.
Despite losing her home and personal belongings to the flood, Crechell Campilan (in black) didn’t hesitate to donate when volunteers passed around coin cans.
Senior citizens eagerly place their donations in a Tzu Chi coin can.
A Tzu Chi scholar invites beneficiaries to contribute what they can in a relief distribution in Cotcot, Liloan.
At Pulpogan National High School, where Tzu Chi scholars painted one of Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s well-loved aphorisms on a wall, a volunteer helps a woman walk an uneven ground.
Along eight simultaneous relief operations, Tzu Chi also distributed relief goods in Pulpogan National High School, Consolacion
Along eight simultaneous relief operations, Tzu Chi also distributed relief goods in Cabadiangan Integrated School, Compostela
Along eight simultaneous relief operations, Tzu Chi also distributed relief goods in Mulao Gymnasium, Compostela
Filling up the covered court of the Sisters of Mary Girlstown, thousands of beneficiaries are in good spirits during Tzu Chi's relief operation.