August 22, 2025
802 beneficiaries claim relief after fire at Aroma, Tondo
By Dorothy Castro
On August 19, Tzu Chi volunteers conducted relief operations at the San Pablo Apostol Parish after a fire broke out last August 6 in Barangay 105 in Aroma, Tondo, which burned down five residential buildings.
The fire happened during the day, just when many families had started their routines. They could only watch as the flames engulfed the homes they have worked so hard to keep.
It came as a shock to Jessica Esmeral, a student who had gone out to do volunteer work teaching 3-to-5-year-old children in the community. She felt helpless; when she heard the screams of the fire victims, she could not leave the children and was only able to retrieve very few items from her home later on. The only thing she had saved was her prized laptop.
“It hurts to watch as we lose everything in the fire,” she said through tears. All she could think about were the residential units her mother saved up for, that took up almost half of Building 25. Now, she and her siblings are left to start over.
Volunteers prepared different home items and clothing to help alleviate the hardships fire victims faced as they gathered the courage to start anew.
Esmeral, who had known Tzu Chi from their past relief work in the area, was grateful for the volunteers’ efforts, and how they helped without hesitation.
Seventy-five-year-old Teresita Alcaraz was just as grateful for the aid Tzu Chi provided to residents of Aroma for past and present fires in the area. She recalled how many struggled making a daily living. This latest fire only added to their challenging financial situations.
This disaster left a heavy ache in her heart. She had lost almost all of the home items she saved up for. With limited resources, money was hard to come by. She works as a barangay volunteer and peels garlic on the side for extra income.
Tzu Chi’s relief operation was comforting as it responded to their immediate needs. “We are truly happy. What we could not buy, they provided for us,” Alcaraz said.
This effort provided not only the strength to recover, but also a ray of hope especially for beneficiaries like Manuel Docusin, who now faces the daunting challenge of gathering resources to fix their home while putting his kids through school. Even then, the smile never left his face as he took in the wisdom of Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen during a short program that preceded the distribution of relief items.
“What happened may have been a difficult trial, but we must have a positive outlook,” Docusin said with encouragement.
Sharon Sy, a Tzu Chi volunteer who took the lead during the relief distribution that day, was more than grateful to bring comfort and hope to the residents of Aroma, Tondo. While this was not the first time she and fellow volunteers have responded and helped in this area, their efforts remained consistent since Day One.
The smiles on the faces of residents like Esmeral, Alcaraz, and Docusin continue to be the very reason why volunteers work hard to give comfort and hope to beneficiaries.
On August 6, a fire broke out in Barangay 105 in Aroma, Tondo. Five residential buildings were burned down, affecting 802 families.
Tzu Chi scholars take part in the stub distribution for the 802 affected families.
For Tzu Chi volunteers, no task is too difficult.
Tzu Chi volunteer Sharon Sy gives her best effort in helping families affected by the fire.
Relief items include clothing.
Home items are also provided for affected families.
Slippers in all sizes are provided for beneficiaries, young and old.
To help them begin gathering resources once more, kitchen items like pans are provided.
Tzu Chi volunteers provide a heartfelt performance of “One Family.”
Tzu Chi volunteers lead the prayer.
Beneficiary Teresita Alcaraz (front row, center) participates wholeheartedly in the sign language performance of “One Family.”
Beneficiaries pray for a world free of disasters.
Beneficiary Jessica Esmeral receives relief items.
Beneficiary Manuel Docusin receives relief items.
With a grateful heart and encouragement, Tzu Chi volunteers give relief items to beneficiaries affected by the fire.
With a grateful heart and encouragement, Tzu Chi volunteers give relief items to beneficiaries affected by the fire.
Tzu Chi Technical-Vocational scholars help bring sacks of 10kg rice donated to San Pablo Apostol Parish, the relief venue, for their upcoming feeding program.
Tzu Chi volunteers and scholars pose for a group photo after a successful relief.