October 20, 2025
29 families given aid after Sto. Domingo fire
By Dorothy Castro
Just before noon on October 14, a fire broke out in a residential area of Barangay Sto. Domingo in Quezon City, displacing 112 residents. Tragically, three siblings, all minors, passed away in the blaze. Although rescuers were able to save their grandmother, the siblings were asleep on the third floor of their house when the fire spread quickly.
Two days later, Tzu Chi volunteers conducted an ocular visit to assess the needs of the 29 families taking shelter in modular tents at Santo Domingo Parish office.
They also checked on the welfare of the victims. Tzu Chi volunteer Benson Lao immediately saw the plight of Alfredo Albino Jr., father of the three children who lost their lives in the fire. According to Alfredo, it was Jon Matthew, Zach Daniel, and Zara, aged 10, 7, and 5, who inspired him to work hard as a delivery rider. He drew strength from his children’s kindness and gratitude. Alfredo and his wife, Jeanine Miñoza, were at a hospital making arrangements for her mother’s medical examination, when the fire broke out.
“I tried to go back inside to look for my nephews and niece,” said Joel Albino, the children’s uncle. But Joel, who suffered two strokes in the past, struggled to find the three.
A day after the ocular, volunteers returned to conduct relief operations, providing each of the affected families with clothing, blankets, sleeping mats, home essentials, and a 10-kilogram sack of rice. The basic necessities would cover daily needs while they navigate their next steps.
Lao, who had been part of Tzu Chi’s disaster response missions for many years, gave words of comfort to the residents. He understood where their silence was coming from: the traumatic experience of a fire and the uncertainty about what awaited them.
In a show of sympathy to Alfredo and Jeanine as they prepared for their children’s funeral, Tzu Chi volunteers provided financial assistance to the grieving father.
“We will give our everything to recover, still keeping them in our hearts. Even if they are no longer with us, they are the reason we’ve worked so hard, and we’ll continue to do everything for them,” said Alfredo.
DSWD Solicitation Permit No.: DSWD-SB-PSP-S-2025-000072
This narrow pathway was the exit point for residents who were affected by the fire.
This pathway to the residential area is now blocked off after the fire.
Random items were scattered about as residents began to clear their homes and streets of ash and debris following the fire.
This three-story structure was the home of the Albino family. Now, the home has completely collapsed.
Tzu Chi volunteers and staff visited the Santo Domingo Parish Office, where the 29 affected families are currently taking shelter.
Families temporarily reside in these tents set up on the second floor of the parish office.
Barangay Captain Michelle Yu-Kim expresses her gratitude to Tzu Chi’s response: “We are very thankful because every time there is a disaster, not only during fires, Tzu Chi Foundation is always there to help us.”
Representatives of the 29 families affected by the fire sign forms to receive relief from Tzu Chi.
Tzu Chi staff member Julie Collado comforts affected families during a sharing session before the distribution of relief.
Tzu Chi volunteer Benson Lao gives families a brief history of the Tzu Chi Foundation.
Despite their loss, beneficiaries did not hesitate to share their blessings through Tzu Chi’s coin can donations.
Tzu Chi volunteers Loreto Balete (left) and Benson Lao lead families in a prayer.
Beneficiary Alfredo Albino Jr. (in black) bows his head in prayer.
Volunteers from the Sangguniang Kabataan ng Sto. Domingo bowed alongside Tzu Chi volunteers, accepting the beneficiaries’ relief stubs.
Beneficiaries receive relief goods.
Groceries, clothing, home essentials, and a 10-kilogram sack of rice were prepared for each of the affected families.
Tzu Chi volunteers turn over financial aid to Alfredo Albino Jr., father of the three children who died in the fire.
Tzu Chi volunteers, staff, and members of Brgy. Sto. Domingo’s local government unit took a group photo after the distribution.