Remembering Bohol

When a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Bohol on 15 October 2013, volunteers from the humanitarian group Tzu Chi went to the island to help in the reconstruction. The next month, supertyphoon “Yolanda” hit eastern Visayas prompting the volunteers to leave for devastated Leyte which needed urgent assistance.

Upon reporting their accomplishments in Leyte to Tzu Chi founder Master Chen Yeng, she reminded them to no forget Bohol, Brother James Chua, Tzu Chi Bohol (TCB) coordinator and Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines deputy CEO, recalled during the celebration of the 10th anniversary of TCB on 15 December.

Volunteers from Tzu Chi Taiwan (TCT) returned to Bohol in 2014 and with help from donors rebuild the lives and ease the sufferings of calamity victims. The TCB chapter was born to continue and sustain the Taiwanese’s humanitarian efforts when they returned home, including constructing new houses and classrooms for quake- and typhoon-damaged communities.

The TCT volunteers returned to Bohol last month to revisit the province as part of the celebration of TCB’s 10th anniversary. Among them was Brother Chen Chin Hai who was awed by the transformation of the once devastated place.

Chen visited the homes he helped build, joined in donating computers to schools, graced the turnover of a Happy Home, and went door-to-door for fundraising.

“I believe Bohol will not only thrive for the next ten years but will continue to develop and become even better,” he said.

Another TCT volunteer, Sister Charlene Chang, said she was moved by the villagers’ appreciation of Tzu Chi’s contributions to the local community.

Chua assured that the TCB team will strive forward into the next 10 years.

“Tzu Chi Foundation as a first responder during emergencies and disasters really helped us Boholanos to regain our confidence and to be back on our feet. We hope that we can continue cooperating and collaborating with Tzu Chi Foundation and we hope Tzu Chi Foundation will prosper and progress in all their efforts,” Atty. Handel Lagunay, provincial legal officer representing Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado, said at the celebration.

“When the earthquake struck Bohol, we could really see how efficient, fast and how full of love you (TCB) have with all your projects in housing, medical and scholarship and it’s really appreciating that we see people who don’t even know us or not even from Bohol helping the Boholanos. You have not only helped us physically rebuild our homes, gave us new life with all the medical services that you have extended but you have embedded in our hearts, the passion of giving selflessly for others,” Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap, the first woman and the youngest mayor in all of Bohol municipalities, said.

The TCB anniversary event held at the Cogon gym in Tagbilaran City was also graced by Tzu Chi volunteers from Manila and Cebu. The Tzu Chi local community volunteers, members from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association, beneficiaries and benefactors also filled the venue, creating an atmosphere of a big family reunion.

The audience reveled in the traditional Chinese cultural presentations for a festive start, with a dynamic battle drum performance by the Tzu Chi Eye Center staff from Manila, followed by vibrant Lion and Dragon dances performed by the Pagoda Philippine Athletic Association and the Chiang Kai Shek College Lion and Dance Group.

The event’s theme, “Keeping Up with the Initial Aspiration to Spread Love in Bohol,” accentuated TCB’s relentless dedication to non-stop charitable works, disaster relief, environmental sustainability, educational assistance, community development and housing projects over the past decade.

with TCB