August 2, 2026
A scholar’s journey of filial piety
By Nicole Fetalcorin
In the heart of Tacloban City, Leyte, where memories of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) still echo through broken homes and rebuilt lives, a young man’s journey reminds us that resilience is more than survival—it is transformation.
Born in Tacloban City, Mark Kent Cabradilla grew up in the shadow of Typhoon Yolanda . On November 8, 2013, the storm made landfall in Eastern Samar before sweeping across central provinces of Leyte, Cebu, and Iloilo. It was one of the most powerful and destructive tropical cyclones ever recorded, leaving behind over 6,293 deaths and affecting 16 million people. The typhoon tore through Leyte, flattening communities and drowning hope.
At just 8 years old, Cabradilla saw his family’s world collapse when the super typhoon struck —their home was destroyed, their lives turned upside down, and hope nearly lost. Even after the storm passed, the pain did not end. For his family, it felt as though tragedy refused to let go.
Because just a month after losing almost everything, sorrow struck again. Cabradilla’s mother, who suffered from asthma, relied on her nebulizer to breathe. But with the power supply gone, the machine could not run. In the silence of those powerless nights, her condition worsened until heaven claimed her life.
For a little boy, the pain was incomprehensible. His family, still reeling from the storm’s destruction, now had to endure the unbearable weight of losing the very heart of their home. His father, suddenly the sole guardian of five children, carried grief in one hand and responsibility in the other.
With only one source of income, survival was a daily struggle. Cabradilla’s father, grieving yet determined, carried the heavy responsibility of raising five children alone. He worked tirelessly as a utility worker at a hotel, clinging to the hope that his effort would be enough to keep his family afloat.
“My father supported us after my mom died, even though it was difficult for him to sustain five kids,” Cabradilla recalled.
But fate seemed relentless. Shortly after, the hotel where he worked shut down, stripping him of the only stable income they had. The man who had become their sole provider was left searching for odd construction jobs, piecing together whatever work he could find to put food on the table.
As the third child, Cabradilla saw the sacrifices everywhere. He watched his two older brothers set aside their dreams, leaving school behind to work and help keep the family afloat.
When his turn came to pursue tertiary education, the question pressed heavily on his heart: “Can I really make it through college?” Yet perseverance never left him. He applied to every state university he could, clinging to the hope that one door would open. His persistence paid off—he was accepted into two institutions, and chose to take BS Information Technology at Leyte Normal University.
But even with free tuition, daily expenses weighed heavily.
“It was during my first year that I really realized just how hard college is when you don't have enough money to cover your expenses. Because even though we know there's free higher education, it doesn't cover everything—your fare, your food, your Wi-Fi. I realized that what my father and older brothers earn isn't enough, especially since I still have two younger siblings who are studying in high school.”
Faced with the weight of his family’s struggles, Cabradilla searched and applied for scholarship programs. The Department of Science and Technology scholarship seemed to be his hope back then, but after failing to secure a slot, his courage faltered.
The thought of not being able to proceed to his second year weighed heavily on him. He initially believed he would have to stop college and look for jobs instead.
“My resume was ready back then, and I was about to apply at Jollibee or wherever else I could.”
After he applied and went through a series of interviews for the Tzu Chi Educational Assistance Program , his perseverance was rewarded. Out of 40 applicants, he was chosen as one of 14 scholars.
The scholarship was a lifeline. It meant that his dream of finishing college would not be cut short, and that his family’s sacrifices would finally bear fruit.
"I am so deeply grateful. I said to myself, 'Yes, I can study now. I will graduate. I can help my family.' Right away, my mindset was to grab this opportunity because this is the way to lift my family out of poverty. To this day, I am still so thankful to be here as a scholar," Cabradilla said.
As the soon-to-be first degree holder in their family, Cabradilla carried not only his own dreams but the hopes of his family who had sacrificed for him.
When asked about the lessons and values he learned as a Tzu Chi scholar, Cabradilla shared a very sentimental experience.
Back then, during Typhoon Yolanda, it was not only his mother that he lost but, in a way, his father too. He became the child who avoided conversations and was unattached to his father.
“My father and I didn't talk to each other. When it was time to eat, we would just eat without saying a word. It felt like we never talked. When it was time to sleep, we just went to sleep. It was like there was no connection between the two of us," he said.
But if there was one lesson Cabradilla learned well during his time as a Tzu Chi scholar, it was filial piety.
"After I became a scholar, I was really taught filial piety—how to truly value your parents. That was when I realized just how important our parents are, and I came to understand all the sacrifices they make."
The change was profound. The once awkward conversations gradually turned to light sharing of school problems, daily check-ins, and even allowances.
“I never told him I was exhausted from school. It's only now that I've become open with him. I can confide in him now, I can show affection, and I can hug him—things I could never do before."
As Cabradilla shared how he initiated affection toward his father, he realized that it is a parent’s nature to carry their child’s burdens. His father, once distant, began to show fondness in return. Even while he was away in Manila for the scholars’ camp in July, the bond remained strong.
Filial piety is one of the values and virtues taught to every scholar. For Cabradilla, it became the turning point of his journey. His story reflects the children who once grew avoidant of their families, but through Tzu Chi’s guidance, learned to rediscover the goodness of connection and the importance of familial bonds.
A scholar does not solely pursue education for material benefits in the future. He also learns humility and benevolence—values that extend beyond academics. These lessons matter most not only in how the young scholar treats others, but especially in how he embraces the very people who stand by him through every hardship: his parents and his family.
Mark Kent Cabradilla (front, in checkered shirt) shares the joy of Christmas with his family.
Mark Kent Cabradilla celebrates academic success, holding his defended capstone manuscripts.
A moment of friendship and joy—Mark Kent Cabradilla (first from right) joins fellow scholars for a photo at the closing of the 2026 Tzu Chi Scholars’ Camp.
Tzu Chi Palo brings together faith, love, and gratitude in a special 3-in-1 celebration: Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day.
Mark Kent Cabradilla (center) hosted Tzu Chi Palo’s 3-in-1 celebration and the foundation's 60th anniversary, guiding everyone throughout the program.
Mark Kent Cabradilla (right) shares a proud moment with a volunteer during Earth Day.
Special moments in Humanities class: volunteers in mushroom hats highlight the joy of vegetarian living during the celebration of Earth Day. “We learned that choosing vegetarian food is not only about having a healthier lifestyle, but also about showing compassion towards animals, people, and the environment,” said Mark Kent Cabradilla (seated second from right).