October 17, 2026
To a better heart and a brighter tomorrow
By Nicole Fetalcorin
“It is remarkable how much the human heart can endure. It absorbs every stress, every strain, and every burden we carry. That is why we must take care of it.”
These words from Tzu Chi volunteer Lineth Brondial lingered in her mind as she traveled back to the foundation after a home visit to a medical assistance beneficiary in San Mateo, Rizal. She reflected not only on the resilience of the human heart as an organ, but also the strength of the human spirit embodied by one young man: 24-year-old Paul Christian Sacdalan.
Born with a congenital heart condition, he spent much of his childhood watching other children enjoy activities he could only admire from afar.
“I was very envious. I also wanted to play games and basketball, but I couldn't. There were so many things I wasn't able to do.”
His health journey began at the age of 12 when he developed pneumonia. During a follow-up examination, doctors noticed an unusual sound in his breathing and referred him to the Philippine Heart Center. After a series of tests, he was diagnosed with congenital heart disease, specifically ventricular septal defect (or VSD, a hole in the heart) with aortic valve regurgitation (a leaky valve that affects blood flow).
The diagnosis came with a recommendation for surgery. However, like many Filipino families burdened by the high cost of healthcare, the operation remained beyond their means.
As he grew older, Sacdalan learned to live cautiously. He faithfully took his medications, maintained a healthy lifestyle, and did everything he could to protect his fragile heart. After finishing senior high school, he worked as a motorcycle agent to support himself and help cover his medical expenses.
In 2021, doctors discovered that his condition had worsened. Once again, surgery was strongly recommended. Yet financial limitations forced him to postpone it a second time.
“We were told the surgery would cost around ₱690,000. I couldn't afford it.” Sacdalan shares.
For years, he managed his condition as best he could. But in March 2026, his health began to decline. Simple tasks became exhausting. His breathing grew difficult, and his palpitations became more frequent.
Doctors warned him that surgery could no longer wait. So instead of refusing again, he finally made a decision to fight for his future and pursue treatment. However, the estimated cost of his operation had risen to ₱1.2 million!
“I was shocked. I lost hope for a moment. It was already difficult to imagine where I could get ₱690,000. Now the amount has doubled.”
Despite the overwhelming odds, his heart refused to give up.
Alone, he went from one government office to another, seeking assistance from agencies and charitable institutions. He spent countless hours lining up, sometimes as early as two in the morning, carrying folders of documents and an unwavering will to survive.
Among the organizations he approached was Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, a name familiar to his family for many years. His grandmother, Myrna, recalled supporting Tzu Chi through its bamboo coin bank drive long before her grandson needed assistance himself.
“There were volunteers here in San Mateo who collected coin bank donations back then. I remember donating coins and recyclable bottles because I had heard about the foundation. It really helps the San Mateo community whenever typhoons hit the area. In fact, we received blankets and clothes from Tzu Chi years ago, and we still use them today. Tzu Chi truly helps the poor. They don't choose who to help; they help everyone.
“I donated from my heart. I even personally visited the volunteers' office in Quezon City back then. It was my way of showing appreciation for their kindness. Now, it makes me so happy that my grandson was able to receive help from the foundation. Thank you very much, Tzu Chi,” Myrna said.
Through its Medical Assistance Program, Tzu Chi granted Sacdalan a one-time sum of ₱150,000 through a direct bank transfer to the Philippine Heart Center to help cover his hemodynamic study, VSD closure, and aortic valve repair.
“It was through Tzu Chi's help that my son was finally able to schedule his operation. Even his doctor was amazed that he managed to raise the amount needed and now uses his story as an example for other patients,” shared his mother, Rizalina.
“I am deeply grateful to Tzu Chi for helping my grandson, Paul Christian, because we truly could not afford the operation. Paul's sister is our only family provider. I run a small sari-sari store, but the income is barely enough for our daily expenses. Thank you, Tzu Chi,” Myrna added.
Sacdalan echoed his family's gratitude.
“Tzu Chi Foundation gave the largest contribution toward my operation. They may not be a government office, but they are truly dependable when it comes to helping people in need. I owe Tzu Chi a great deal of thanks because they played such a huge part in my healing journey.”
As the Tzu Chi Foundation continues its mission of compassion, the coins Myrna once dropped into a bamboo bank years ago returned in ways she never imagined. What began as a simple act of giving, inspired by the practice of making one good deed each day, created ripples of kindness that eventually reached her own grandson when he needed it most. Through the collective compassion of countless ordinary people, those humble contributions became part of Sacdalan's journey toward healing, hope, and a second chance at life.
Today, Sacdalan looks toward the future with renewed optimism. He dreams of returning to work, building a family of his own, and embracing opportunities that once seemed beyond reach. His heartbeat is steadier, and the burden he carried for years has finally begun to ease.
More than his recovery, however, he carries with him a profound appreciation for every individual and organization that helped him along the way.
His story stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and compassion. It reminds us that when one person refuses to give up, others often step forward to help carry the burden.
For Sacdalan, the journey was never only about repairing a heart. It was about discovering hope through the kindness of others, one helping hand at a time, and moving closer to the life he had always dreamed of: a better heart and a brighter tomorrow.
To support the Tzu Chi Medical Assistance Program and help more patients like Paul Christian, please donate to the following Tzu Chi Foundation bank account.
Tzu Chi Foundation Bank Accounts:
Metrobank :
Account Name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines Inc.
Account Number: 163-3-163-07190-9
BDO :
Account Name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines Inc.
Account Number: 011-9-7800-180-0
Paul Christian Sacdalan successfully underwent his long-awaited heart surgery at the Philippine Heart Center on August 26, 2026.
A month after his life-changing surgery, Tzu Chi volunteers and staff paid a courtesy visit to Paul Christian Sacdalan at his home in San Mateo, Rizal. Still in active recovery, his face now beams with full, boundless joy.
To cover his daily needs and medical expenses long before his operation, Paul Christian Sacdalan (left) worked as a motorcycle agent, earning ₱3,000 per unit sold.
Paul Christian Sacdalan takes a selfie with his mother, Rizalina, upon his admission to the Philippine Heart Center on August 24, 2026. Through the medical assistance provided by the Tzu Chi Foundation, Sacdalan successfully secured his long-awaited heart surgery.
During a home visit to check on Paul Christian’s recovery, Tzu Chi volunteer Lineth Brondial (right) shares a Tzu Chi coin bank with Sacdalan’s family—encouraging them to pass on the kindness and help others, even through the smallest amounts.
Rizalina Sacdalan (left), a single mother who raised her two children on her own while working overseas as a domestic helper, grows emotional as she expresses her joy over her son’s successful operation and her hope for a brighter future ahead.
Paul Christian Sacdalan raises his shirt to show the scar of his successful open-heart surgery: “Before, my heart was always pounding. Now, I can finally walk with so much ease.”
Years ago, Paul Christian Sacdalan’s grandmother, Myrna (right), gave back to the community through Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines’ coin bank collection. Today, that very ripple of compassion has reached her own family—helping secure a life-saving procedure for her grandson.
With every steady heartbeat, Paul Christian Sacdalan now steps into a brighter tomorrow—walking forward with a lighter chest, and a heart overflowing with gratitude.