
More than 500,000 people were affected by the typhoon which struck the Philippines on June 16. Chinese and Filipino volunteers immediately went into action in Marikina city, a district of Metro Manila, where they delivered help to the victims of Typhoon Ketsana. Volunteers in Marikina also offered their time and service even when they, too, were affected by the calamity. The volunteers distributed more than 5,000 vitamin-fortified breads and biscuits and 1,800 bowls with vegetarian meals to families housed inside the elementary schools of H. Bautista, Nangka and Malanday on June 24 and 25. Also, on June 25, the volunteers distributed 1,400 packs of used clothing to the evacuees in H. Bautista and Malanday Elementary Schools after those in Nangka had returned home.


As the waters rushed through the streets, the local volunteers were still able to wear their white caps and gray shirts neatly during the relief efforts, as if they were the things they first stacked in their bags before fleeing their houses. Their efforts were greatly appreciated by the victims who repeatedly expressed their thanks to the volunteers who went to comfort them. "The Tzu Chi Foundation has readily helped us ever since Ondoy devastated us two years ago. I feel it is right to give back something to other people through my donation," said 56-year-old Enrique Basubas, a tricycle driver who is a regular donor to its charity missions through filling his coin bank. He brought his family to the evacuation center to escape the rising waters from the Marikina River a few meters from their house in Phase II of Balubad in Barangay Nangka.

Another evacuee, 46-year-old Melinda Nepomuceno, said: "We were outside, cold and very hungry, when Tzu Chi arrived to give us food. They saved many lives just by showing up. These are tears of gratitude to the people who are helping us," she added, as she held back her tears.
While the Philippines is hit by storms and typhoons, Tzu Chi and its volunteers will not cease in helping their fellow men, who do not only need material assistance but also compassion from loving hearts.
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