By Wu Yi-xuan
Edited and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photos courtesy of Tzu Chi Philippines
Tzu Chi Philippines celebrates three decades of humanitarian efforts, reaffirming its commitment to providing essential services and support to the most vulnerable.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Tzu Chi Philippines. For the past three decades, volunteers have tirelessly supported those in need, offering disaster relief, free medical services, and scholarships for underprivileged students. They’ve made a profound difference in countless lives.
As a reporter for Da Ai TV, I traveled to the Philippines this summer with a colleague to cover Tzu Chi’s efforts. We joined a volunteer team from Manila and journeyed to the province of Leyte in central Philippines. We found a calm shoreline there, a stark contrast to the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan a decade earlier. The typhoon’s force was so great that it drove massive cargo ships into Tacloban. Four million people were left homeless. Tzu Chi volunteers rose to the challenge, mobilized relief efforts, launched cash-for-work programs to clean and restore affected areas, and constructed a housing village in Palo for survivors. The village initially consisted of 200 temporary homes, decreasing over time as residents moved out, but 60 permanent housing units were constructed and inaugurated this July. Henry Yunez (楊國英), CEO of Tzu Chi Philippines, aimed to complete the project as a milestone commemorating both the tenth anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan and Tzu Chi Philippines’ 30th anniversary. To account for the effects of climate change, the village’s foundations and reinforcements were designed to withstand future storms.
Just as if they were preparing for a joyous celebration in their own homes, Tzu Chi volunteers from Manila decorated the new residences and prepared meals for the guests attending the turnover ceremony on July 11. Head chef Lu Li-qing (呂麗卿) creatively decorated the tables, using rambutans and other local flora. Many volunteers were Haiyan survivors who had received help from Tzu Chi and later became volunteers themselves.
The Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village is the first permanent housing village that Tzu Chi has established in the Philippines. Spanning 1.5 hectares, it includes a central kitchen and a vocational training center. A kindergarten and an activity center are in the works. Many residents have large families and appreciate all the opportunities the village can provide them. Carmelita, 60, shared, “There are eight of us in our family. The young people will receive vocational training here, and several of my grandchildren will attend kindergarten in the future.”
The village took nearly a year and a half to complete, from groundbreaking to its handover. Mayor Remedios Petilla, present to witness the historic moment, remarked that Tzu Chi had supported Palo for ten years and promised to work hard for the betterment of the town’s people. Yunez, filled with emotion, reflected on the challenges of negotiating for land with the government and designing the buildings, saying, “We give without expecting anything in return, hoping only that the disaster victims can have a place to live in peace.”
The Tzu Chi Palo Great Love Village is the first permanent housing community built by Tzu Chi in the Philippines. Spanning 1.5 hectares, it features 60 housing units, a central kitchen, a vocational training center, and other public facilities.
Tzu Chi Philippines’ medical efforts
The volunteers who had traveled from various parts of the Philippines for the handover ceremony felt happy and content seeing the residents of the Palo Great Love Village settle into their new homes. On that very same day, the Philippine chapter of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association launched a three-day free clinic in Palo, marking its 265th medical mission. A total of 5,444 people received medical attention during the event.
The number of patients and the severity of cases at free clinics in the Philippines rank among the highest of any Tzu Chi mission. It’s fair to say that Tzu Chi’s efforts in the Philippines have been strengthened through its medical initiatives.
Tzu Chi’s first free clinic in the Philippines was held in Baguio in 1995. Volunteers had to travel four to six hours from Manila, borrowing a local Lions Club venue to set up their consultation rooms and operating theaters. The team performed 173 surgeries over four days. This is particularly remarkable, given the volunteers had no hospital beds and only borrowed equipment. Surgeon Josefino Qua (柯賢智) recalled, “We had nothing when we conducted that first clinic; it was a bold effort!”
Despite limited resources, volunteers were determined to press on, holding multiple free clinics every year. Linda Chua (林小正), Tzu Chi Philippines’ first CEO, said, “We only performed surgeries in our first clinic. I vowed under the moon and stars that next time, we would include internal medicine, pediatrics, and dental care.” With many cleft lip patients in need, plastic surgery and dermatology were also added in due course. “We kept expanding specialties based on the patients’ needs,” she explained.
Dr. Leh Siu Chuan (呂秀泉), the earliest leader of the free clinic team and then deputy director of Chinese General Hospital, passed away in 2012. He once observed that many people in the Philippines had negative views of the Chinese, perceiving them as wealthy and arrogant, but Tzu Chi’s free clinics, showing compassion for the poor and sick, helped change these perceptions. “In some places, after our clinics, local Chinese residents even established Tzu Chi branches,” he said.
Word of the clinics spread, and soon, many areas were inviting Tzu Chi to provide medical services. In response, the free clinic team conducted field surveys to prioritize those with the greatest need. “After participating in the free clinics, I came to realize how much suffering there is in the world,” Dr. Leh said.
The free clinics grew over time, from hundreds to thousands of patients served. Chinese General Hospital, founded 145 years ago, has worked alongside Tzu Chi from the very beginning of these medical missions. Dr. Josefino Qua, a surgeon at the hospital, said, “It’s been 30 years [since we started the free clinics]; my hair has turned from black to white. But I’ll never forget the patients’ smiles, which continue to inspire us to carry on holding free clinics today.”
Non-medical volunteers also play a vital role in Tzu Chi’s efforts. Surgeon Robert Sy (盧尾丁) recalled how volunteers went to great lengths to care for patients: “Some patients would vomit after surgery. If there wasn’t time to grab a container, our elderly volunteers would catch it with their hands. Who would do such a thing without love in their hearts?”
Tzu Chi volunteer He Bai-xue (何白雪), now 85, has been a constant presence at the free clinics, often seen guiding and serving patients. She shared that the most emotional moments were witnessing cataract patients see immediately after surgery. “Their joy was truly moving,” she said.
Ninety-year-old volunteer Chen Bao-lian (陳寶蓮) has witnessed the entire history of Tzu Chi’s free clinics in the Philippines. Despite her age, she continues to serve at the events. “I’m in charge of mixing powdered medicine in pediatrics,” she remarked. “Whenever there’s a Tzu Chi mission, I’m ready and happy to help.”
Fasting young patients receive IV fluids while waiting for hernia surgery provided by Tzu Chi at Leyte Provincial Hospital in July.
Marissa Jaiben smiles with relief after having the benign tumors that covered her body removed. Lin Dao-ming
Late into the night
The three-day free clinic in Palo, held from July 11 to 13, took place at two locations. Services offered at the Leyte Academic Center included ophthalmology, dentistry, internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and traditional Chinese acupuncture. At the second location, at Leyte Provincial Hospital, six operating tables were in simultaneous use for surgeries.
Marissa Jaiben, 45, had benign tumors covering her body. “I delayed treatment for so long because medical costs were too high,” she shared. “Now I feel calm—I trust the doctors can help me.” Night had already fallen when her surgery began, which was expected to last until midnight. Dr. Qua, who had been operating since eight that morning, performed her procedure. “Without this opportunity, patients like her might have to live with these conditions for life,” he noted.
Not all cases could be treated on-site. One patient, suffering from a malignant tumor on her shoulder, couldn’t sleep at night due to the pain. Volunteer Hong Ying-li (洪英黎), who coordinated the clinic, gently reassured her: “We will do everything we can to help.” Although treatment wasn’t possible at the clinic, the team arranged her transfer to Manila for further care.
Six-year-old Yeshaa Brianna Puda suffered from an inguinal hernia, a condition in which tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. She was among the young patients who benefited from the clinic. Her mother, Norvelyn Rivas, was overwhelmed with emotion. “It felt unreal, like winning the lottery!” she said. “When the doctor took her away for surgery, I couldn’t stop crying—she’s finally going to be okay! I’m so grateful to Tzu Chi for giving my daughter this chance to heal and be free from pain.”
Another emotional moment came from Marilyn Potazo, a mother of five, who had developed a goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland. Unable to do heavy labor because of her condition and unsettled by the stares of others, she found comfort in her child’s words: “Mom, I’ll pray for you.” She was immensely grateful for the kindness that made the free clinic possible—a kindness that transcended race and religion. She said, “I’m so thankful to the volunteers, donors, and doctors. Thank you for coming to us. I hope Tzu Chi continues to help more people.”
One boy, born in 2013 after Typhoon Haiyan, was brought in for hernia surgery by his mother, Gretchel So. She still carried the hongbao (a red blessing packet) she had received from Tzu Chi after the typhoon more than ten years ago. “My son is 11 now, and today we received a new hongbao. We feel so lucky and happy. Someone once told me that keeping a hongbao brings good fortune, and I’ve carried mine for years.”
Despite their modest incomes, many patients contributed small donations to Tzu Chi’s coin banks, showing their gratitude to the doctors who had traveled so far to help them.
Dr. Josefino Qua carries a young patient who has just undergone surgery out of a makeshift operating room set up in a kindergarten during a free clinic in 1998 (photo 1). Photo 2 captures the doctor holding another child at a clinic in Davao in 2023. He has remained dedicated to Tzu Chi’s medical efforts in the Philippines for nearly three decades. Jud Lao
Charity run
As part of its 30th-anniversary celebrations, Tzu Chi Philippines organized its inaugural charity run in Quezon City, Metro Manila, on July 21. Proceeds from the event were dedicated to helping underprivileged students access education. The number of people registering in the week leading up to the run was quite high, ultimately attracting 6,000 participants. The run began at 5 a.m. at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Volunteer Shi Ying-ru (施映如) cheerfully noted, “Sixty percent of the participants were aged 25 to 35; this event gave young people a chance to see what Tzu Chi is doing. And for every 50 participants, we can cover one student’s tuition for a year!”
Since its inception in 1995, Tzu Chi’s student aid program in the Philippines has awarded more than 13,000 scholarships. One beneficiary, Christine, expressed her appreciation for the foundation’s support in overcoming financial difficulties and assisting her with her studies through monthly tutoring sessions. She also mentioned how Tzu Chi helped her obtain new glasses to improve her vision. “Their support has been a great source of inspiration,” she stated. “It’s helped us become better individuals.”
Jimmy, a jeepney driver who lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, arrived at 3 a.m. to volunteer. He was excited to wake up early for such a meaningful event. “Tzu Chi helped me when I was unemployed,” he said. “I want to spread the word about how they extend a helping hand to others.”
Every step taken in the run was a step toward hope in the fight against poverty. Yunez, the fourth CEO of Tzu Chi Philippines, always faces challenges with a smile. Expressing his gratitude to the three previous CEOs—Sister Linda Chua, Brother Manuel Siao (蔡萬擂), and Brother Alfredo Li (李偉嵩)—he said, “Their efforts paved the way, allowing more bodhisattvas to join us, more branches to be established, and more people to be helped. The more, the better!”
As Tzu Chi Philippines celebrates its 30th anniversary, we wish it continued courage and success in “running” toward the next 30 years.
A charity run in support of Tzu Chi Philippines’ student aid program attracted 6,000 participants.
