On June 2, 2025, the Tzu Chi community in the Philippines lost a gentle pillar of compassion. Michael Siao, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Philippines, passed away at 51 after a battle with cancer. Though quiet and unassuming, his determination and drive to relieve suffering with love left a profound mark on countless lives.
A Childhood Rooted in Compassion
Michael’s story began in a home where service was a way of life. As the eldest son of Manuel Siao, one of Tzu Chi’s earliest volunteers in the Philippines, Michael grew up surrounded by the spirit of giving. In the 1990s, the Siao family’s living room in Metro Manila became a gathering place for volunteers—where Jing Si Aphorisms were studied, Master Cheng Yen’s teachings were watched, and the seeds of a movement were sown. In this environment, Michael absorbed the values of sincerity, humility, and care for others.
A Journey of Service
During his university days, Michael joined the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association, becoming one of the first Tzu Ching members in the country. He once reflected, “Tzu Chi helped shape my view of the world. I learned that even as a student, I could do something meaningful for others.” This realization became the foundation of his lifelong commitment.
After graduation, Michael’s involvement deepened. He became a steady presence in Tzu Chi’s expanding missions—organizing free clinics, supporting monthly rice distributions, and visiting care recipients in their homes. He was there in moments of crisis, too. When Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) struck in 2009, Michael helped launch a cash-for-work relief program that provided emergency income for survivors and empowered them to rebuild their own neighborhoods. The program not only addressed urgent needs but also restored dignity and hope.
LEFT: Michael (right) leads Typhoon Haiyan survivors in sincere prayer during a clean up session in Tacloban—one of the areas hardest hit by the storm. | Photo: Hui-Chen Chuang (莊慧貞) | Philippines | 2013/11/20. RIGHT: Typhoon Kai-Tak struck the central Philippines, triggering severe flooding and landslides that forced tens of thousands to evacuate their homes. Tzu Chi volunteers quickly responded by distributing consolation cash, eco-friendly blankets, and secondhand clothing to meet residents’ urgent needs. Michael is seen here distributing cash and blankets. | Photo: Chia-Mei Lee (李佳美) | Philippines | 2017/12/23
In 2013, after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated communities, Michael played a pivotal role in one of Tzu Chi’s largest relief operations. In Tacloban, he helped coordinate up to 31,000 cash-for-work participants per day, generating nearly 300,000 workdays. Survivors were paid to clear debris and clean public spaces, reviving both the local economy and the spirit of the people. This initiative became a model for Tzu Chi's sustainable disaster recovery efforts in the Philippines and other countries worldwide.
Michael’s compassion extended beyond disaster relief. He supported medical outreach activities, including dental and surgical missions, and helped facilitate patient services at the Tzu Chi Eye Center in Manila. Patients came not only from across the Philippines but even from the remote Marshall Islands, seeking hope through sight-restoring surgeries.
A Champion for Education and Dignity
Michael believed deeply in the power of education to break the cycle of poverty. At scholarship award ceremonies, he encouraged students to persevere, often reminding them that “guidance at the right moment can change a child’s future.” He supported programs that offered long-term assistance to underprivileged youth, seeing education as a lifelong mission.
His humility and sincerity touched those around him. Michael often said, “What matters most is not how much we do, but how much heart we put into every action.” He mentored younger volunteers, ensuring that the values that shaped his own journey would continue to guide the next generation.
Master Cheng Yen’s Words of Reflection
We must cherish the affinities we have with every person in our lives. While we are still healthy, we should encourage one another and seize every opportunity to walk the Bodhisattva Path. As we walk this path, we will always find peace of mind.
Thinking of Michael, I too feel sorrow, but I also think of all that he had accomplished. He was a dedicated Tzu Ching youth volunteer during his university years, and after graduation, he continued to devote himself to Tzu Chi’s missions. This was a path he forged for himself, and it is a path we need not worry about.
What we should do is offer him our blessings. He created his own blessings and maintained a pure heart, untainted by defilements. As we cannot change the length of time he has in this world, we can only do our part to offer him our sincere blessings.
A Legacy That Lives On
Michael Siao’s passing marks the loss of a second-generation Tzu Chi volunteer who carried forward the path begun by his father. From a family that helped plant the seeds of Tzu Chi in the Philippines, Michael served with quiet strength and perseverance. His life stands as a testament to the enduring power of compassion—a legacy that lives on in the communities he touched and the hearts he inspired.
Written by the Department of Literature and History, Tzu Chi Foundation.
