December 19, 2024
Tzu Chi provides relief to fire-ravaged Barangay 310 in Sta. Cruz, Manila
By Arvin Yanga
What seemed to be a joyful Christmas might not be for those left with nothing but ruined homes.
Amid the gloomy weather on December 17, a total of 387 beneficiaries gathered on the sidewalk along Recto Avenue in Barangay 310, Sta. Cruz, Manila, to receive their relief items and sacks of rice from Tzu Chi volunteers after an enormous fire engulfed their homes.
Following the fire that occurred in Isla Puting Bato three weeks earlier, another blaze broke out in Barangay 310 on November 27—marking the fourth consecutive year of fires in Sta. Cruz, Manila. According to the Manila Department of Social Welfare, the blaze affected 468 families and 53 unattached individuals, resulting in zero casualties and one injury.
The Manila Fire District reported that the fire started in the middle portion of the area, with confined paths making it difficult to extinguish. The origin of the fire remains under investigation.
Crizaldo Paredes, a 53-year-old barangay executive order officer, rushed to the area after receiving a radio alert about the fire. “It was just smoke when we arrived, but in an instant, it spread quickly through the neighborhood of light materials,” Paredes shared. “We even used fire extinguishers, but that was not enough.”
On that day, the electricity shut down, and Bienvenido Villamonte, 71, was unaware of the unfolding emergency. Relying on a wheelchair, he rushed outside due to extreme heat and curiosity about the sudden blackout, only to be confronted with a fast-spreading fire.
Villamonte, who lives alone to avoid burdening his family, sustains himself through loans and available work opportunities.
“I forced myself to survive and escape the burning site as quickly as possible,” Villamonte recalled, fear still evident in his voice. “Thankfully, my neighbors saw me struggling and carried me to safety.” He managed to save only his important documents and the white shirt he wears daily since the fire.
Similarly, 71-year-old retired security guard Ramon Daanoy Jr. lost everything. He couldn’t help but grieve after the fire devastated their barangay. Supporting a family of four plus five grandchildren, he felt overwhelmed by the destruction. “It was hard to be a fire survivor, even to rebuild your own home. Where will I get the resources?” Daanoy Jr. asked, his voice filled with hopelessness.
To bring hope to survivors like Villamonte and Daanoy Jr., 74 Tzu Chi volunteers, staff, scholars, and youth, along with 25 government personnel, came together in this season of giving.
Enduring the air and noise pollution from passing vehicles, Tzu Chi provided each beneficiary with a pail of relief items: hair conditioner, detergent bar, cooking oil, salt, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, laundry bleach, frying pan, ladle, utensils, plates, drinking cups, and a bundle of clothes.
The relief included sacks of rice: 20 kilograms for each family and 10 kilograms for each unattached individual. This was made possible by Ian Ouyang, a 40-year-old businessman from Quiapo, who sponsored the rice distribution with his friends.
“This Christmas, I planned to do something to help the Quiapo community,” Ouyang shared. “My friend from Tzu Chi suggested we do it through the foundation, given the fire relief needed in this barangay.”
Inspired by the foundation's advocacy, Ouyang expressed hope for his fellow business professionals: “Maybe we should try to help more people.”
For Villamonte, who had never heard of Tzu Chi before, the foundation’s generosity was transformative. “To Tzu Chi Foundation,” he said, “may your people have good health so you can help more people not just here in our barangay, but in every corner of the world.”
Daanoy Jr., already familiar with Tzu Chi from a previous Binondo encounter, was filled with emotion. “The people in Tzu Chi are very kind,” he said, shedding tears. “This relief is incredibly helpful for us fire survivors, especially for someone like me who is still homeless and left with nothing.”
Tzu Chi volunteer Willy Sy emphasized the importance of their mission: “I am willing to contribute, and I am very happy to do so.”
While fire incidents may be the most excruciating experience, these residents of Barangay 310 have found a glimmer of hope. They are starting anew with grateful smiles, ready to celebrate Christmas with the support they’ve received.
As of this writing, the affected residents are staying in Bascom Covered Court, with many already working to rebuild their homes—never losing hope for a fresh start.
On November 28, a fire broke out in Barangay 310 in Sta. Cruz, Manila. (Source: Philstar Global)
On December 17, Tzu Chi Foundation conducted relief operations for residents affected by the fire in Barangay 310, Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Tzu Chi scholars and youth volunteers helped in the distribution of relief stubs for 387 families.
A Tzu Chi volunteer prepares the pails for the relief distribution.
Tzu Chi volunteers help unpack the drinking cups for the relief distribution.
Three batches of relief distributions took place, accommodating nearly 400 beneficiaries.
On his first encounter with Tzu Chi, Bienvenido Villamonte, 71, does the sign language performed by the volunteers. “To us underprivileged, this help is a big deal,” he said appreciatively during the fire relief.
Most of the fire survivors were dealing with personal challenges in this difficult time, and Tzu Chi did not let these residents feel that they were alone—there will always be hope after the disaster.
Seventy-one-year-old retired security guard Ramon Daanoy Jr. (in red) prays not just for a world free from disaster, but for some strength to find hope in recovery.
Tzu Chi volunteers join the prayer before the relief distribution.
Beneficiaries happily raise their stubs after expressing their gratitude.
Each beneficiary received a pail of clothing, personal hygiene products, cooking supplies, basic kitchenware, and sacks of rice.
Transcending religious barriers: A Tzu Chi volunteer assists a Muslim beneficiary during relief distribution.
Despite dealing with the excruciating effect of fire, Ramon Daanoy Jr. still smiles after he receives relief from Tzu Chi. “This relief is incredibly helpful for us fire survivors, especially for someone like me who is still homeless and left with nothing,” he said.
Along with his friends, Ian Ouyang, a 40-year-old businessman, sponsored the sacks of rice that were given to the fire victims. “This Christmas, I planned to do something to help the Quiapo community,” he said. He also helped distribute the sacks to the fire victims.
Living alone, Bienvenido Villamonte did not feel lonely, thanks to the compassion shown by Tzu Chi volunteers. A happy volunteer assists him as he receives plates included in relief items.
A beneficiary gratefully smiles as she receives relief goods for her family.
A Tzu Chi volunteer helps distribute relief goods.
“I am willing to contribute, and I am very happy to do so,” says Tzu Chi volunteer Willy Sy (in facemask).
After claiming their relief, beneficiaries leave the scene with smiles on their face, indicating that no matter how tough the situation, resilience always wins over hopelessness.
Tzu Chi volunteers, staff, scholars, and youth pose together for a group photo after a smooth and successful four-hour disaster relief operation held on the sidewalk along Recto Avenue in Barangay 310, Sta. Cruz, Manila.