May 9, 2026
At last, a Tzu Chi Medical Center in the Philippines
By Joy Rojas
Thirty-one years after it organized its first medical mission in Baguio—an earnest initiative that saw doctors operating on indigent patients in public-school classrooms converted into surgery rooms—Tzu Chi Philippines marked another milestone in its goal to provide quality, patient-centered healthcare to all.
Dharma masters and key personalities from Tzu Chi Foundation in Hualien, Taiwan, Tzu Chi Philippines volunteers and staff, and distinguished guests participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the much-awaited Tzu Chi Medical Center on May 8 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Addressing a gathering that included Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno and his vice mayor Chi Atienza, noted architect and urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox, Ambassador Francis Chua, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Immediate Past President Dr. Cecilio Pedro, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, civic leader Teresita Ang See, and other personalities, Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez spoke about the importance of the Tzu Chi Medical Center.
“When a family member falls ill, the income stream changes. The living condition changes, and they become trapped in a cycle,” he said. “Master Cheng Yen established our mission of charity and medicine to hopefully break this cycle. As we break this ground, we know the journey ahead will not be easy. But together, we will build this place of healing, brick by brick.”
Serving Manila in various capacities for over two decades, Mayor Isko acknowledged Tzu Chi’s contributions to his constituents. “I have always seen the footprint of Tzu Chi in the City of Manila. Whether it’s in the aftermath of a fire or during the height of the pandemic, your presence has always brought comfort to our people.”
“The establishment of the Tzu Chi Medical Center here in our city will provide high-quality medical care to those who have the least in life,” he added. “I am particularly moved by how Tzu Chi operates. It is not just about medical treatment, it is about the humanistic approach, about treating a patient’s soul as much as the body. As mayor, I assure you that the City of Manila is fully behind this project.”
Delivering Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s message on her behalf, Dharma Master De Yue read, “Each shovel of earth turned today initiates a long and enduring commitment to relieving suffering. Every brick and stone laid in the future will embody the goodwill of countless people and the collective spirit of harmony and cooperation.”
It was a combination of expertise, resourcefulness, and loving kindness displayed by the volunteer doctors of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) in medical missions that impressed Master Cheng Yen enough to declare in 1997 that the Philippines would have the first Tzu Chi hospital outside of Taiwan.
Eventually, that honor went to Indonesia, whose Tzu Chi hospital was inaugurated in 2021. And while Tzu Chi Philippines shelved plans for its own hospital, they were revived around three years ago, with Master Cheng Yen putting TIMA co-founding member Dr. Josefino “Jo” Qua in charge.
According to Dr. Qua, the Tzu Chi Medical Center is a 12-story, 5,000-plus-square-meter tertiary hospital with a 300-plus-bed capacity. The facility isn’t exclusive to the underprivileged. “It will cater to everybody, whether you’re rich or poor, whatever nationality, whatever your race,” he says.
Tzu Chi Medical Center is a pay hospital, so patients who cannot cover the cost of their procedure or confinement can apply for financial assistance. “Definitely nobody will go home without proper treatment,” he assures. “We will accept all patients, and treat everyone as equal.”
And while the hospital will rely on doctors’ expert knowledge and skills, as well as state-of-the-art equipment in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, it also operates on its mission of humanistic culture—promoting kindness, compassion, and respect for all living beings. “Our Tzu Chi volunteers will be there to help patients feel like they’re home,” he says.
Indeed, their kindness and compassion may even hasten recovery. “Sickness is treated with medicine,” says Dr. Qua, “but when you have people with a humanity side to them, your healing will be much, much faster.”
Guests encircle the groundbreaking marker where the Tzu Chi Medical Center is set to rise.
Guests encircle the groundbreaking marker where the Tzu Chi Medical Center is set to rise.
Hours before the groundbreaking rites, Dharma Masters De Pei and De Yue from Hualien, Taiwan, lead a walking prayer meditation for Tzu Chi volunteers at the BTCC grounds.
Special guests gather for photos before the groundbreaking rites. Attending the event were (first from left) civic leader Teresita Ang See, (fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth from left) Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Immediate Past President Dr. Cecilio Pedro, Manila City Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, architect and urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, and Ambassador Francis Chua.
Architect and urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox, who did the overall master planning of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, as well as the reconstruction of six quake-hit Tzu Chi schools in Bam, Iran, is flanked by Tzu Chi volunteer Joy Gatdula (left) and Tzu Chi Deputy CEO Peggy Sy Jiang.
Taking a selfie with SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy.
“As we break this ground, we know the journey ahead will not be easy,” said Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez. “But together, we will build this place of healing, brick by brick.”
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno pays respects to a Tzu Chi volunteer upon his arrival for the groundbreaking ceremony.
Tzu Chi volunteers prepare to present the Tzu Chi and Buddhist flags and a perspective of the Tzu Chi Medical Center.
Tzu Chi Davao OIC Nelson Chua (left) and Tzu Chi Zamboanga OIC and Deputy CEO Dr. Anton Mari Lim present guests with a perspective of the Tzu Chi Medical Center.
Volunteer doctors of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) liven up the ceremony with a rousing traditional drum performance.
Dr. Bea Chua (let) and TIMA co-founding member Dr. Jo Qua join fellow doctors in a traditional drum performance.
The graceful sign language performance of “Love Illuminates the World” by TIMA doctors, some of whom were part of the first medical mission in 1995, touched the audience.
The graceful sign language performance of “Love Illuminates the World” by TIMA doctors, some of whom were part of the first medical mission in 1995, touched the audience.
Students from Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines charmed audiences with their performance of “Because There Is Love.”
Students from Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines charmed audiences with their performance of “Because There Is Love.”
“The establishment of the Tzu Chi Medical Center here in our city will provide high-quality medical care to those who have the least in life,” said Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. “As mayor, I assure you that the City of Manila is fully behind this project.”
Tzu Chi Medical Foundation CEO Lin Chin-Lon talked about the patient-centered approach of Tzu Chi hospitals. “If the patients can smile and go home happily, that’s our reward,” he says.
“Having a medical hospital in the Philippines has always been Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s dream,” says Tzu Chi Foundation Vice CEO Lin Pi-Yu.
Dharma master De Yue reads Master Cheng Yen’s message to Tzu Chi Philippines on this auspicious occasion.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez leads the symbolic shoveling of gravel at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.
Everybody was invited to participate in symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking site.