December 5, 2025
Still fighting despite losses
By Dorothy Castro
When Tzu Chi Foundation volunteers conducted their relief operations in Cebu last November 28–29 for 6,791 families affected by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) on November 4, they encountered stories of pain, hope, and courage in all their forms.
News agencies reported 92 deaths and 57 missing individuals. Compostela alone reported 16 deaths in its municipality.
Located at the northern part of Cebu, Compostela bore the brunt of the flooding, which triggered landslides that washed out homes. Of the municipality’s 771 families, 554 were left with partially damaged homes while 217 had lost everything to the flood.
The loss has rendered many unable to move forward. This has been the reality for Rito Maglangit from Mulao, who mourns the loss of 11 family members, including three of his children. As a farmer, he had been tending to his animals when the flooding rushed in.
By then, it was too late to check on his family at home, with chest-deep waters alongside a very strong current. Even then, he braved the waters, swimming until he saw his home vanish. His pain was unimaginable.
To this day, one of his children remains missing. In the face of a long recovery ahead, his faith in finding his 6-year-old never wavers.
Clearly, his love for his children remains. “Nothing could be done. All I want is to find my daughter’s remains so I can lay her to rest.”
Jessa Bihag from Barangay Cabadiangan continues to search for her missing 4-month-old. Her grief has made her unable to return to her job as a production worker. Her other child, a 5-year-old, survived the typhoon, as he was not with his mother at that time.
“Wherever you are, my love, I’m sorry, I was not able to protect you,” she cried.
A month after the typhoon struck Compostela’s six municipalities, many are afraid to navigate what comes next.
“We are starting from nothing. We have no idea how to rebuild our lives,” said Bihag.
Dexter Talisik lost both his home and livelihood to the typhoon. With schools still closed, the 43-year-old sari sari (convenience) store operator has no means to earn money, which he needs to provide for his 96-year-old grandmother.
Now, even his old residence is considered unlivable as it was identified as a danger zone for future typhoons.
While he, Bihag, and Maglangit deal with their losses, Tzu Chi addressed their immediate needs by giving them and each of the affected households a 25-kilogram sack of rice and assorted grocery items. Families with partially and totally destroyed homes also received cash assistance using Metrobank Pay Cards.
“I am very grateful to Tzu Chi for coming to give aid,” said Talisik, who knew of his neighbors’ struggles. For him, this gesture meant so much to lighten the burdens they bear.
You can send your donations through bank deposit to:
METROBANK, Del Monte Branch
Account Name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines
Account Number: 163-3-16307190-9
BDO
Account Name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines
Account Number: 011-9-7800180-0
Please send a copy of deposit slips or bank transaction confirmations via email at donations@tzuchi.org.ph or through Viber/Line/Wechat +639672110940
DSWD Solicitation Permit No.: DSWD-SB-PSP-S-2025-000072
On November 28-29, Tzu Chi volunteers visited the Municipality of Compostela, Cebu, to conduct relief operations for 771 households.
Tzu Chi volunteers lead beneficiaries in prayer.
Even in tragedy and loss, beneficiaries share their blessings by donating to Tzu Chi’s coin cans.
A beneficiary gratefully receives financial aid from Tzu Chi, stored in a Metrobank Pay Card.
Beneficiaries show grateful smiles during the relief distribution.
Dexter Talisik, 43, joins the relief distribution, where he received aid that would help him care for his 96-year-old grandmother.
Jessa Bihag from Cabadiangan, Compostela, cries as she shares her story during the relief distribution. For her, this aid is instrumental in their recovery as they find the strength to begin once more.
Rito Maglangit from Mulao, Compostela, finds the strength to recover from the loss of his three children. He also continues to search for his missing 6-year-old child, a month after the typhoon.