November 24, 2025
Tzu Chi’s relief for Dingalan renews hope for 622 families
By Dorothy Castro
It had been a week since Tzu Chi volunteers visited families in Dingalan, Aurora, after the onslaught of Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong) left coastal communities devastated last November 9. Residents have since remained in various evacuation centers, uncertain about what the future holds.
For beneficiaries like Linda Danao and Dennis Roldan, the fear of being unable to provide for their families was overwhelming. So, when Tzu Chi volunteers visited their homes last November 13, they each made a promise to themselves: to extend a helping hand no matter the challenge.
On November 21, Tzu Chi volunteers returned to conduct relief operations in two venues: the municipal gym and the PAGCOR Hall of Ibona in Dingalan, Aurora.
“Many of our recipients were in the coastal areas when the typhoon hit; the storm surge carried rocks from the sea, leaving homes either partially or completely damaged. Today, we brought 25-kilogram sacks of rice, warm blankets, clothing, slippers, and other necessities,” said volunteer Luis Diamante, who dedicated himself to ensuring that the affected families receive what they need.
On this day, 622 families received relief, with 143 families receiving additional cash assistance to help rebuild their totally damaged homes.
Fisherman Dennis Roldan has only wished for one thing since he lost everything to the storm surge―a home for his family before the holidays. Since the typhoon struck, his wife and children have evacuated, while he, determined to provide, remained by the sea to fish.
“Before I traveled here to receive relief, I got up at four in the morning to fish,” he shared. But even in the face of a difficult start to his day, he saw the P120 he earned that morning as a blessing―half went to his travel expenses, the other half went to his five children. All Roldan could do was visit his family every now and then, for his need to earn for them was urgent.
“I only live for my family, and I am willing to do all that I can for us to recover,” said Roldan. Even with the dangerous nature of being a fisherman, especially with the recurring typhoons, he braves the seas every day to put food on the table and send his children through school.
Meanwhile, Linda Danao, who is known as “Super Lola” (super grandmother) of the family, had been wary of her health throughout these challenging times. While grateful for the community’s help, her worries never eased, as she was afraid of not having a home for her and her grandchildren. At 68, she still helps catch fish when they are in need, and does all she can to help her family, all of whom live by the coastal areas.
“I’m still grateful to God that we are safe, but I continue to worry because we’ve lost everything,” she said. The stress had already affected her health, causing high blood pressure in recent days. But through the support of her family and organizations like Tzu Chi, she trusts that they will overcome this difficult time.
“The Tzu Chi bag has been our safety storage for my grandchildren’s school supplies,” she said, referring to the green Tzu Chi relief bag given to them in 2022 after Typhoon Karding (Noru). Through many storms and generations, Tzu Chi has been key to her family’s survival.
Currently sleeping on laid-out cartons on the floor, Danao’s family looked forward to receiving Tzu Chi’s blankets and sleeping mats. Meanwhile, Roldan had been praying for any kind of blessing, as long as it could sustain his family.
But Tzu Chi had a particular blessing in store for them.
The teary-eyed smiles from Roldan and Danao were visible as they learned of Tzu Chi’s help for families whose homes were left completely destroyed by the typhoon. Apart from their relief items, families with totally damaged homes were given additional cash assistance to aid their relocation process after the coastal areas were deemed unsafe to live in.
“You are the bridge that helped us begin again; with life being very difficult, I never expected that someone would come to help us rebuild our home,” Roldan shared. For him, no matter how big or small, the relief he received from Tzu Chi was the support he needed as a father.
“This is a surprise, a true blessing. Thank you, Tzu Chi Foundation, you felt our struggles and our pain. To the volunteers who gave their donations and help, thank you for being with us and supporting us throughout,” Danao said.
Some day, they hope to see Tzu Chi again, hopefully, in better circumstances―and when they can be of help to others.
On the morning of November 21, beneficiaries gathered at the municipal gym and the PAGCOR building in Dingalan, Aurora, to receive relief items from Tzu Chi Foundation volunteers.
A truck carrying Tzu Chi’s relief goods traveled six hours from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, to Dingalan, Aurora.
Tzu Chi volunteer Luis Diamante presents the items that the beneficiaries will receive.
No item is too heavy for volunteer Wilson Hung, who joyfully carried the relief items to the municipal gym.
Linda Danao (center) earnestly prays, carrying with her the hope that Tzu Chi brought through their help.
This is what was left of the home of Linda Danao. The home she once worked hard to build is now reduced to rubble.
While his family is in an evacuation center, Dennis Roldan remained in the coastal area after the typhoon to continue working to provide for his family.
Heartwarming smiles were shared between Linda Danao (left) and a Tzu Chi volunteer during the relief.
Dennis Roldan receives relief goods from a Tzu Chi volunteer.
Linda Danao (left) and her son Harriz now have two bags from Tzu Chi. The green bags are from the relief efforts of Typhoon Karding in 2022, and the blue bags are from relief distribution for Typhoon Uwan.
Dennis Roldan looks forward to bringing these relief items to his family, to comfort them amidst recovery.
A beneficiary receives cash assistance to help him rebuild his home.
A beneficiary receives cash assistance to help her rebuild her home.
Even after a challenging day, volunteers share happy smiles, hearts filled with gratitude for the opportunity to help others.