November 11, 2025
Tzu Chi conducts ocular surveys in 8 areas in Cebu after Typhoon Tino
By Dorothy Castro
On November 4, Typhoon Tino (International name: Kalmaegi) made landfall across central Philippines, affecting mostly Cebu and Negros provinces, with maximum sustained winds of up to 155 kph and a downpour of 180 liters of rainwater, submerging entire communities.
Cebu, which has been slowly recovering from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck on September 30, was once again a target of nature’s wrath. According to the Office of Civil Defense, more than 150 fatalities have been affected by the typhoon.
Given the urgent need for basic supplies following Tino, Tzu Chi volunteers in Manila traveled to Cebu, and organized ocular visits to eight towns across four municipalities in Cebu: the towns of Nangka and Galaxy Danglag in the municipality of Consolacion; the towns of Tamiao and Cabadiangan in the municipality of Compostela; the towns of Dumlog and Lawaan II in Talisay City, Cebu; and the towns of Opao and Pak-naan in the municipality of Mandaue.
From their ocular, they noted a total of 7,117 houses were damaged either partially or totally in these areas, while an estimate of 33 casualties in these areas had been reported as of November 8.
Like most residents In Nangka, Cebu, Joen Anggot did not expect the sheer strength of the approaching storm. Used to knee-high flooding, he expected Tino to yield the same amount of rainwater. But this latest typhoon included a storm surge, which destroyed their riprap at 7 am.
In the town of Cabadiangan, Cebu, any signs of Roselito Bubu’s home were no longer visible. The 15 homes across this area were nothing but mud and waste strewn across the road.
“There were already strong winds and rain, but by 3 in the morning, the flooding was sudden and immense,” said Bubu, who was left with nothing—his home was washed away, and his mother, uncle, one of his children, and four extended family members all perished in the flood.
The pain was unbearable; he has yet to find the remains of his mother and uncle. Yet even as he mourns his loss, the future that he and other surviving kin face is uncertain. With no means of livelihood after losing his job as a security guard last October, he relies for now on donated relief goods coming from his local government.
Danilo Bugtay, who resides in Tamiao, Compostela, Cebu, found himself in a similar situation after fighting for his life in the storm. Had he not known how to swim or had the presence of mind to cling to a vehicle, he would not have survived.
“I had to put my family and animals first, helping them evacuate. But I was eventually trapped; I saw people in nearby houses get caught in the flood. In less than three minutes, houses fell apart and were washed out one by one,” he recalled.
While he was able to guide his wife to safety, he lost all his farm animals, which were his sources of livelihood. Meanwhile, in his extended family, four are still missing while seven have died.
Lorina Caño may have survived Typhoon Odette (International name: Rai) in 2021, but that doesn’t make overcoming succeeding typhoons any easier. Upon leaving the evacuation center following Typhoon Tino, she saw that her home was completely washed away.
Her husband suggested they leave this traumatic experience behind and start anew in a different city. But Caño’s feet remain planted in Lawaan II.
“I don’t mind receiving anything. What’s important is that my mother receives help,” said Caño. In fact, the thought of others receiving help brings her comfort.
Seeing the devastation in person was heartbreaking for Tzu Chi volunteer Benson Lao, who had been monitoring Cebu’s situation from Metro Manila through social media. "They need whatever we can give to help, because there are so many people affected by this disaster," he explained. To him, this was the call of Tzu Chi’s mission: to be with the community in times of hardship.
“A little food and water to drink would be more than enough,” said Anggot, who was grateful for the volunteers’ support.
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In Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu, what used to be a residential area on the left side is now an empty muddied site with the roads destroyed after the flood.
On November 7, Tzu Chi volunteers from Manila arrived in Cebu to begin their ocular surveys in affected areas after Typhoon Tino (International name: Kalmaegi) practically wiped out entire communities
Tzu Chi volunteers coordinate with the local government unit in Nangka, Consolacion, Cebu
Homes in Nangka, in the Municipality of Consolacion, Cebu, were left either partially or totally damaged after the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.
Residents try their best to clean their muddied belongings after the typhoon.
Tzu Chi volunteer Johnny Kwok (left) interviews Joen Anggot in Nangka, Consolacion, Cebu.
A Tzu Chi volunteer walks through the muddied streets of Galaxy Danglag, Consolacion, Cebu.
Tzu Chi volunteers coordinate with the local government office in Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu.
After severe floods subsided, streets in Cabadiangan, Compostela, were caked in mud.
Roselito Bubu in Cabadiangan, Cebu, lost his home and family members in the typhoon. “We haven’t seen the remains of my mother yet,” he said.
This patch of land is what remains of Roselito Bubu’s home in Cabadiangan, Compostela.
The aerial shot of Tamiao, Compostela, Cebu, shows the great extent of damages brought about by Typhoon Tino.
Danilo Bugtay, who resides in Tamiao, Compostela, recalls how Typhoon Tino made its landfall and totally damaged the homes in their area.
This makeshift area serves as a temporary home for Danilo Bugtay, whose real home in Tamiao, Compostela, was destroyed by Typhoon Tino.
Tzu Chi volunteers coordinate with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in conducting ocular surveys in Mandaue, Cebu.
Residents wait for clean water in Opao, Mandaue, after Typhoon Tino affected their water supply.
Muddied roads in Pak-naan, Mandaue, Cebu, stretched as far as the eye could see.
Extensive damages could be seen in this aerial view along Mananga river in Talisay, Cebu.
Tzu Chi volunteer Benson Lao (right) comforts the families affected by Typhoon Tino. Here, he heard the story of Lorina Caño (left), who stayed in Talisay to be with her mother (center).
A staff member comforts Lorina Caño (left) with a hug.
This damaged area is what remained of Lorina Caño and her mother’s home in Talisay, Cebu.
Tzu Chi Cebu volunteer Jack Gaisano looks on as fellow volunteers survey a typhoon-hit area.
Tzu Chi volunteers walk through the muddied roads as they conduct their ocular surveys.
Tzu Chi volunteers take a group photo after the ocular surveys.
Tzu Chi volunteers take a group photo after the ocular surveys.
