The powerful Typhoon Kalmaegi swept through Cebu Province in the Philippines on November 4, 2025, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Homes were damaged or destroyed, livelihoods were disrupted, and many families were suddenly left struggling to meet their most basic needs. In response, Tzu Chi Philippines swiftly mobilized, beginning relief operations to accompany affected communities as they took their first steps toward recovery.

For many families, the arrival of aid came at a critical moment. Beyond meeting urgent material needs, it offered reassurance amid uncertainty and hardship.

A coordinated response

By late November, hundreds of Tzu Chi volunteers and staff from across the Philippines—including Manila, Palo, Pampanga, Davao, and Zamboanga—gathered in Cebu. Working alongside local volunteers, Chinese business communities, chambers of commerce, and government agencies, they quickly organized six teams. These teams were tasked with verifying survivor registrations and preparing for large-scale distributions.

From early morning until late evening, volunteers worked steadily despite long hours and physical fatigue. Their efforts reflected a shared commitment to ensure that assistance reached those most in need.

On November 28 and 29, the teams traveled to six heavily affected areas—Talisay, Mandaue, Consolacion, Compostela, Danao, and Liloan—to distribute essential supplies and emergency financial aid, known as “blessing money,” to affected households.

A sanctuary of hope

Sister Fructuasia, Principal of Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Cebu, witnessed the devastation caused by the typhoon firsthand. Many nearby homes were severely damaged, leaving families anxious about their future. While the academy hoped to help, its own resources were limited. In prayer, she recalled Tzu Chi’s long-standing presence in disaster relief and quietly wished that help might reach Cebu.

The following day, she received a call from Luciana Yu (楊玉嬋), a Tzu Chi Commissioner and long-time supporter of the academy. Luciana—also the sister of Henry Yunez (楊國英), CEO of Tzu Chi Philippines—shared that Tzu Chi was planning a large-scale distribution in Cebu and was searching for a venue spacious enough to accommodate thousands of survivors.

Sister Fructuasia immediately offered the academy’s sports field. With this support, Tzu Chi was able to carry out distributions for three thousand survivors in an orderly manner. A temporary medical clinic was also set up on campus, allowing material aid and medical care to be provided together, offering timely support for both body and mind.

United in compassion

Volunteer Ming-Ya Qiu (邱明雅) served as a team leader for one of the distribution groups, her first time overseeing such a large-scale effort. She recalled, “When I arrived, I learned that our group was responsible for nearly three thousand households—the largest number among all the teams—yet we had very limited manpower.”

Faced with both the scale of need and the challenging conditions, this responsibility weighed heavily on her heart. With the support of her teammates, she carried out the task step by step, focusing on ensuring that each family was treated with care and respect.

In total, 388 volunteers and staff took part in the relief effort, assisting 6,791 affected families. Among them were 1,017 households whose homes were completely destroyed and 5,774 with partially damaged homes. Limited manpower and dispersed locations presented logistical challenges, but additional support soon followed.

Benefactor Chih-Pei Wu (吳志培) encouraged fourteen members of the local Chinese community to join the effort. Their timely assistance helped keep the distribution running smoothly and conveyed warmth and concern to survivors.

Mei-Mei Tsai (蔡美美), one of the local participants, shared that many of them are donating members of Tzu Chi and were grateful for the opportunity to take part. After a full day of service, they expressed deep respect for the compassion and wisdom reflected throughout the relief operation.

Five young adults from different countries, representing the Global Language Cebu (GLC), also stepped in wherever help was needed. Among them was Hung-Lin Chen (陳泓霖) from Taiwan, a former Tzu Ching youth volunteer, who had participated in Tzu Chi’s earthquake relief efforts in Cebu the previous month. His continued involvement inspired colleagues from Shanghai, Taiwan, and Vietnam to join this distribution.

Despite the large number of households served, the process remained calm and orderly. Relief supplies—donated by compassionate individuals across the Philippines—were personally handed to survivors, offering not only practical support but also heartfelt encouragement.

Comprehensive aid and healing

Alongside material assistance, medical services were provided throughout the distribution. With support from Dhing Abdulaup, a Tzu Chi volunteer from Zamboanga, three newly graduated doctors who had received Tzu Chi scholarships joined the medical team in Cebu as a way of giving back.

A temporary medical station was established at Sisters of Mary Girlstown, where 301 individuals received consultations and medication. In the humid post-typhoon environment, many residents suffered from skin and respiratory conditions.

The three physicians—pediatrician Eqdil-Joshua Gana, internist Andrea Bonafe Ibañez, and ophthalmologist Rizma Uckung-Luy—applied their professional skills with care and attentiveness, adding another layer of support to the relief efforts.

At Opao Gymnasium, Cebu volunteer Leonida Gaerlan assisted with distributions and observed that many survivors were receiving such substantial quantities of rice and daily necessities for the first time. “During the assessment, we saw homes covered in mud, and some areas had gone without water for three weeks,” she shared. “Seeing their smiles now is deeply moving.”

Eight families had also been temporarily staying at Sisters of Mary Girlstown since the disaster. Government safety restrictions prevented them from returning to flood-prone areas. Among them was Carmel Alesna, a 28-year-old mother of five, whose youngest child was only six months old. She and her husband expressed gratitude for the temporary shelter and the support they received.

Rebuilding lives, restoring dignity

For the 1,017 families whose homes were completely destroyed, Tzu Chi provided essential living packages, rice, and additional emergency financial aid. Prior to the distribution of this assistance, volunteers shared a video showing Tzu Chi members in Manila raising funds for the survivors in Cebu.

Volunteer Judy Lao gently reminded recipients to treasure the aid. “This support comes from countless compassionate individuals,” she explained. “It is meant to help you regain stability. Please use it with care.”

Beyond material assistance, the relief effort conveyed a simple but powerful message: the survivors were not facing this hardship alone.

Through steady footsteps and quiet dedication, volunteers reached affected areas one by one, offering support as families began rebuilding their lives. With care and goodwill coming together from many directions, it is hoped that the communities of Cebu will gradually return to stability and move forward toward a renewed beginning.

Written by Judy Lao (楊碧芬), Jin Xia Nian (粘金霞), Aileen Chiu (楊逸萍)