June 23, 2025
Responding to a mother’s call for help
By Joy Rojas
In the wee hours of January 6, Lucy Tayongana received a call that is every mother’s worst nightmare. On the way home from working as a service crew member of a fast-food joint, her daughter Liezel Sandocal was on a motorcycle driven by her boyfriend when they were struck by a passing vehicle at the intersection along Third Street in Marikina City. The impact of the collision threw the young couple off the motorbike by 15 feet. The boyfriend sustained injuries on his chin and teeth, Sandocal fractured her left thigh.
The first responder who called Tayongana said they were taking her daughter to Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center—a place associated with painful memories for the solo parent. Five years ago, her 12-year-old son was rushed to the very same hospital due to a seizure. “But he was dead on arrival,” says Tayongana in tears. “When I saw my daughter, it reminded me of what happened to my other child.”
There was no time to dwell in the past. A week later, Sandocal was transferred to the Philippine Orthopedic Center, leaving her mother solely in charge of raising funds for a P65,000 femur nail, a metal rod that is surgically implanted to stabilize and support a fractured thigh bone. Temporarily leaving her job as a cook, Tayongana was able to secure P30,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, plus cash assistance from her local government, which she used for daily expenses.
The balance for the femur nail was covered by Tzu Chi Philippines. “Approach them,” urged one of the foundation’s many beneficiaries. “They’ll help you.”
From Tayongana’s experience, Tzu Chi volunteers were quick and attentive. A few weeks after they visited Sandocal in the hospital, the foundation granted her the P35,000 needed for the femur nail. Sandocal, who was confined for a month, underwent surgery on February 21 and was discharged five days later.
Tzu Chi’s show of relief and compassion didn’t end there. Short-term financial assistance was extended to Tayongana while she attended to her daughter’s recovery before physical therapy. At the quarterly Charity Day on June 5, mother and daughter were among the beneficiaries who claimed two 10kg sacks of rice and a bag of assorted groceries.
“When I told them what I needed, they took care of it. I didn’t have to wait for months for them to respond,” says a grateful Tayongana. “Tzu Chi didn’t abandon us. They really helped.”
(From left) Lucy Tayongana and daughter Liezel Sandocal pose with Tzu Chi Charity Department staff member Julie Collado at the June 5 Charity Day for the foundation’s medical assistance beneficiaries.
At the Philippine Orthopedic Center, Lucy Tayongana (right) watches over her daughter Liezel Sandocal, who broke her left thigh when a vehicle hit the motorcycle she was riding. (Photo: Julie Collado)
Pictured here with Tzu Chi volunteers, Lucy Tayongana (third from left), is grateful for their quick and attentive response to her plea. “When I told them what I needed, they took care of it. I didn’t have to wait for months for them to respond,” she says. “They really help.”