October 23, 2026
Tzu Chi fulfills its commitment to help patients from Oriental Mindoro
By Thania Florendo
Living in remote communities means that seeking the right treatment can be just as difficult when specialized care is far from home and beyond financial means.
During its 290th Medical Mission in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, on May 23 and 24, 2026, Tzu Chi Foundation served 2,482 patients. Volunteer doctors from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) also assessed children whose conditions required further evaluation and treatment beyond the outreach.
Through referrals to partner hospitals in Metro Manila and continued assistance, Tzu Chi helped two young patients access the medical care they needed.
He can finally wear his pair of shoes
Cherry Ann Aguila, 23, first noticed an unusual mass on her newborn son Cyril Asher’s right ankle when she tried to put socks on him after their hospital discharge. Concerned, she returned to the pediatrician a few weeks later.
“We had it checked, but it was not advisable to undergo an operation because he was just 19 days old,” Cherry Ann shared.
Her live-in partner works as a construction worker, earning just enough to support their family of four. As the years passed, specialized treatment remained beyond their budget, so the family patiently waited for another opportunity to have the mass removed.
In May 2026, the Rural Health Center in Victoria informed the family about Tzu Chi’s medical mission. Although Cyril Asher needed treatment beyond what the outreach could provide, he was referred to Metro Manila for further care.
On July 23, the family arrived in Manila and stayed at the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM). Tzu Chi staff assisted them during checkups and consultations with TIMA co-founding member Dr. Jo Qua, who diagnosed the 2-year-old with cystic hygroma. It is a soft lump that forms when the lymphatic system does not develop properly during pregnancy.
Cherry Ann tried to manage her expectations while waiting for the next steps. “If the operation doesn’t push through, we’ll still be thankful because Tzu Chi’s arrival in Mindoro is truly a huge help for our people,” she said.
On August 26, Cyril Asher was admitted to the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC). The following day, Dr. Qua successfully removed the mass, which he described as a “honeycomb-like structure.”
“The waiting was worth it because the operation was successful. I’m really happy that he can finally wear the shoes that we bought since then,” Cherry Ann said.
The surgery relieved the family and gave the energetic toddler a chance to enjoy childhood more comfortably.
An answer to Gabriel’s condition
Fifty-year-old Liezl Casapao admitted that one of the hardest moments as a mother was leaving a hospital in Calapan City without a clear answer and steps for her son’s recovery.
In November 2025, 16-year-old Gabriel Casapao noticed a lump at the back of his neck. His concerned parents immediately sought medical attention, but after an ultrasound, they were advised to consult a specialist. Due to lack of money, they could not afford further examinations and even resulted in trying a herbal healer who warned them against biopsy or surgery. They held on to the ultrasound results, unsure of what to do next.
Liezl is a barangay health worker (BHW) who served as a volunteer during the Tzu Chi medical mission. Upon learning that minor surgical procedures were available, she brought Gabriel to the outreach the following day. Unfortunately, his condition required further evaluation and specialized care.
“I was saddened because I was hoping for an answer so he could get better. When they called us to go to Manila, I was happy because finally we are taking a step towards his healing,” she said.
At CGHMC, Gabriel underwent further diagnostic examinations, including an MRI and biopsy. Remembering the traditional healer’s warning, he felt apprehensive and asked his mother whether he would be safe. Liezl reassured him that the doctors were trained professionals who could help him understand and address his condition.
Dr. Qua confirmed that Gabriel had pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), which caused pus to accumulate and form a lump. Fortunately, Gabriel did not need the major operation his family had feared, but he had to take medications.
After returning to Mindoro, barangay health workers coordinated with Tzu Chi staff to monitor his medication and recovery.
“My neighbors would ask me how we managed to get treated in Manila, but I honestly told them that if it were just us, we wouldn’t be able to afford it. There are foundations like Tzu Chi that travel to help those less fortunate like us,” Liezl said.
Today, Gabriel is back in school, attends classes regularly, and enjoys playing volleyball. Although his mother feels more at ease, she and her husband remain cautious about their only child’s health.
For the Aguila and Casapao families who felt helpless because of limited local services and financial hardship, Tzu Chi’s medical missions and continued assistance bridge this gap and make specialized care possible.
You can help more families access the treatment they need. Donate to Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines’ medical programs and help patients receive the care and support they need to recover. Every contribution brings medical assistance within reach for those who need it most.
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
On July 23, 2026, four medical beneficiaries from Mindoro, together with their guardians, arrived in Manila and were accommodated at the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM).
On July 24, Cyril Asher Aguila was brought to Dr. Jo Qua at Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center for further consultation and medical evaluation.
The cystic mass on Cyril Asher Aguila’s right ankle has been a concern since birth.
Dr. Jo Qua uses a syringe to extract a sample from the mass on Cyril Asher Aguila’s right foot for further examination and to determine its contents.
On August 27, Cyril Asher Aguila successfully underwent resection of the right ankle led by Dr. Jo Qua.
After the surgery, Tzu Chi Charity Department Social Welfare Officer Jackie Raper (left) and Tzu Chi Head Volunteer for the Educational and Medical Assistance Programs Rosa So ( right) visited Cyril Asher Aguila to check on his condition and recovery.
From September 2 to 7, Cyril Asher Aguila was at CGHMC for follow-up consultations and wound cleaning.
Before returning to Mindoro, Cherry Ann Aguila and her son Cyril Asher pose for a photo with TIMA volunteer doctor Dr. James Martin Qua ( left) and TIMA co-founding member Dr. Josefino Qua (right).
Gabriel and Liezl Casapao visited Dr. Jo Qua for consultation at CGHMC on July 24.
Liezl Casapao was a constant support to her only child, Gabriel, during the medical process.
On September 1, Gabriel Casapao underwent a biopsy to ensure that the mass was not cancerous.
On September 4, 2026, Dr. James Martin Qua examined Gabriel Casapao’s neck mass and determined that it contained pus caused by pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).