April 1, 2024
Palo residents help tile Tzu Chi Great Love Village sidewalks
By Joy Rojas
Even before the completion and turnover of the permanent housing of Tzu Chi Great Love Village in Palo, a development in Barangay San Jose, Leyte, that includes 60 two-and-three-bedroom houses, its beneficiaries have already been taking good care of it. Weekly efforts include clearing the interiors of dust and debris and wiping windows and doors.
Now the community is focused on fixing the grounds. On a sweltering Black Saturday, as most people were either on vacation or observing the traditions of the Holy Week, Tzu Chi Palo beneficiaries—men, women, and children of all ages—spent the day preparing the sidewalks for tiling. Vegetarian lunch and snacks were provided to the participants who brought hats and water to protect themselves from the heat.
These are no ordinary tiles. It was Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s idea to use bamboo sticks (instead of steel bars) as reinforcement of the tiles during the building of the temporary housing in 2014. When the temporary housing was demolished, the tiles were saved, and are now being used for the sidewalks of Great Love Palo’s permanent housing project.
The production of these unique tiles was a form of livelihood for thousands of Leyteños whose jobs were affected by one of the worst storms in history.
“Nothing is impossible when we work together” wrote Tzu Chi Palo Coordinator Randy Militante on his Facebook page.
“They’re very excited for the turnover,” he says. “They’re willing to come here whenever they’re free, even on the weekdays and late afternoons, to help in wrapping up the finishing touches of the village. Right now, they’re happy to be here during Holy Week and on a very hot day.”
It was over 10 years ago when residents lived through the nightmare that was Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), a Category 5 storm that pummeled parts of Leyte in 2013, leaving extensive damages and death in its wake. A permanent home represents safety and security to a family that once lost everything.
Donations from 46 countries and regions around the world helped Tzu Chi Philippines provide Yolanda survivors in Leyte with immediate and long-term support. Volunteers cooked and served hot meals to 280,000 survivors. They distributed cash and material aid to 68,000 families, and organized a Cash-for-Work program that benefited 300,000 residents. Through a medical mission, 8,400 patients received appropriate treatment for their various conditions. And by setting up 600 temporary classrooms, volunteers facilitated the studies of local kids.
Donations were also used to rebuild the landmark Sto. Niño Church in Tacloban, and construct Great Love Villages in Ormoc and Palo.
Situated on a 14,428-square-meter property, Tzu Chi Great Love Village Palo features permanent housing as well as four livelihood training centers, a multipurpose hall, daycare center, mushroom farm, and central kitchen and bakery. Project architect and Tzu Chi volunteer Gem Marielle Lim describes it as a “historical, inclusive, livable, disaster-prepared, sustainable, and Master-planned community.”
But to its future residents, the village is simply home.
“Our next task is adding plants to decorate the place,” says Randy. “For now, we are clearing the roads and front of the houses, making sure everything looks clean.”
Nothing is impossible when we work together: Palo beneficiaries pass cement tiles to lay on the front of permanent homes in Tzu Chi Great Love Village.
Nothing is impossible when we work together: Palo beneficiaries pass cement tiles to lay on the front of permanent homes in Tzu Chi Great Love Village.
Nothing is impossible when we work together: Palo beneficiaries pass cement tiles to lay on the front of permanent homes in Tzu Chi Great Love Village.
Nothing is impossible when we work together: Palo beneficiaries pass cement tiles to lay on the front of permanent homes in Tzu Chi Great Love Village.
Nothing is impossible when we work together: Palo beneficiaries pass cement tiles to lay on the front of permanent homes in Tzu Chi Great Love Village.
Men, women, and children of all ages spend their Black Saturday preparing the front of homes in Tzu Chi Great Love Village for tiling.
Men, women, and children of all ages spend their Black Saturday preparing the front of homes in Tzu Chi Great Love Village for tiling.
Young girls help wipe windows and doors.
Young girls help wipe windows and doors.
Dust and cement particles are washed and swept out of buildings.
Dust and cement particles are washed and swept out of buildings.
Dust and cement particles are washed and swept out of buildings.
Despite the sweltering heat and holiday, Palo beneficiaries spend their Black Saturday placing tiles on the sidewalks of Tzu Chi Great Love Village.
Despite the sweltering heat and holiday, Palo beneficiaries spend their Black Saturday placing tiles on the sidewalks of Tzu Chi Great Love Village.
Beneficiaries use a compactor machine to level and smooth the ground before cementing.
Beneficiaries use a compactor machine to level and smooth the ground before cementing.
Beneficiaries use a compactor machine to level and smooth the ground before cementing.
It was a long, hot day, but Palo beneficiaries were glad to be involved in the completion of the Tzu Chi Great Love Village.