February 20, 2024
Tzu Chi organizes relief for fire victims of Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila
By Joy Rojas
Fishball vendor Rolino Abijay was on his way to work on the morning of February 15 when he rushed back home to news of a fire in his neighborhood of Barangay 330, Sta Cruz, Manila. Reportedly set off by sparks from acetylene used to cut the metal bars of a school building that was being demolished, the fire spread quickly across homes made of light material.
“The total number of families affected by the fire is 122, or 441 individuals,” says Barangay Chairman John Ray Antido. “They are temporarily sheltered in modular evacuation tents set up along Teodora Alonzo Street.”
But Rolino lost more than material possessions. His three dogs—Maui, Kiray, and Kiara—were unable to flee, and a heartbreaking video of him frantically trying to revive them through cardiopulmonary resuscitation has since gone viral.
“I wanted to go inside but they told me it was too risky,” recalls Rolino. “Once the fire was under control, I asked the firemen to check if my dogs were there. When they brought them out and I saw they weren’t burned, I did everything I could to revive them.”
“It hurts,” he says. “Those dogs were very affectionate towards me.”
“I cry every time I see Papa’s video,” adds his daughter Angelica Estrella. “We don’t just see them as dogs. They’re like children.”
Bent over and hobbling from arthritis, Francisco Villoria was home alone when the fire struck. Taking a few clothes with him, he tried to make his way out with other residents—only to be met by raging flames.
“So we made our own exit through a house that was being demolished,” says Francisco, whose wife, a house helper, was at work.
As with the two previous fires in the area, Tzu Chi Philippines was quick to respond with a site visit the day after the blaze. “Homes were totally destroyed and people were sleeping on the streets,” says Tzu Chi volunteer Kevin King.
On February 18, volunteers were back to organize a relief distribution. Representatives of families who had lost their homes each received a 10 kg sack of rice, a P500 gift certificate from Pure Gold supermarket, two pails, various kitchen items and personal care products, men’s and ladies’ underwear, and a sleeping mat and blanket.
“This is what Master Cheng Yen taught us: to extend assistance with every disaster,” says Kevin.
It’s a mission wholeheartedly appreciated by those on the receiving end.
“This is my first time to meet Tzu Chi and I can see you really want to help,” says Francisco. “Your assistance is very important to us who have nothing.”
Having encountered Tzu Chi in relief efforts for fires and the pandemic, Barangay Chairman Antido is grateful for the tireless assistance and genuine care offered each time by volunteers. “Not just in our area but in other neighborhoods as well. Thank you for your help, Tzu Chi,” he says.
As for Rolino, this blaze is a painful reminder of the day he lost his beloved pets. But it’s also an assurance of the kindness and hope that can result from a tragic event.
“Tzu Chi has been helping us for years. You’re very generous,” he says. “May you continue to be blessed so you can be of assistance to more people not just here but all over the world.
Arial view of the area affected by the fire in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila, last February 15. 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
A man salvages materials that may be of use after the fire. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
What’s left of the homes that were engulfed in flames from the February 15 fire in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Residents’ homes and other personal possessions are reduced to ash and debris. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Residents peer inside a bag of burned debris. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Representatives of families who lost their homes during the February 15 blaze in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila, claim their relief goods from Tzu Chi volunteers. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Representatives of families who lost their homes during the February 15 blaze in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila, claim their relief goods from Tzu Chi volunteers. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Representatives of families who lost their homes during the February 15 blaze in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila, claim their relief goods from Tzu Chi volunteers. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Representatives of families who lost their homes during the February 15 blaze in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila, claim their relief goods from Tzu Chi volunteers. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Representatives of families who lost their homes during the February 15 blaze in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila, claim their relief goods from Tzu Chi volunteers. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A Tzu Chi Youth assists a resident during the distribution of relief goods for fire victims of Barangay 330 in Sta. Cruz, Manila. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Francisco Villoria lines up for his stub to claim goods at a relief distribution for fire victims of Barangay 330 in Sta. Cruz, Manila. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Francisco Villoria lines up for his stub to claim goods at a relief distribution for fire victims of Barangay 330 in Sta. Cruz, Manila. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Three days after a fire in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila, affected the lives of 122 families, Tzu Chi volunteers organized relief distribution efforts in collaboration with the community’s local leaders. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Three days after a fire in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila, affected the lives of 122 families, Tzu Chi volunteers organized relief distribution efforts in collaboration with the community’s local leaders. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Having encountered Tzu Chi in relief efforts for fires and the pandemic, Barangay Chairman John Ray Antido is grateful for the tireless assistance and genuine care offered each time by volunteers. “Not just in our area but in other neighborhoods as well. Thank you for your help, Tzu Chi,” he says. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Kevin King was among the Tzu Chi volunteers who conducted a site inspection of the neighborhood in Barangay 330 a day after the fire. “Homes were totally destroyed and people were sleeping on the streets,” he says. “This is what Master Cheng Yen taught us: to extend assistance with every disaster.” 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Not only did Rolino Abijay lose all his material possessions to the fire, he lost three of his pet dogs, who were trapped in his home. “I wanted to go inside but they told me it was too risky,” he recalls. “It hurts. Those dogs were very affectionate towards me.” 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
In a now viral video, Rolino Abijay is seen cradling one of three dogs that were trapped in his home during the blaze. The fishball vendor tried to revive his dogs through cardiopulmonary resuscitation but it was too late. 【Screen grab from ABS-CBN】
A little boy joins residents and Tzu Chi volunteers in prayer. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A little girl goes over a pamphlet of Jing Si Aphorisms. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
For now, fire victims are temporarily sheltered in modular evacuation tents lined along Teodora Alonzo Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi volunteers gather for a photo after completing relief distribution efforts in Barangay 330, Sta. Cruz, Manila. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】