It was as if a big stroke of luck fell for Proceso Jaro, a resident of Barangay Dungon B, Jaro, Iloilo City, when after his small nipa house was completely washed away by Typhoon Frank, volunteers of the Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines, who were in the province to provide a relief operation activity on July 27, built a new house for him and furnished it with basic household essentials that are enough for him to start anew.
As for the volunteers, it was a golden moment enriched with the Filipino bayanihan spirit that united Tzu Chi; the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated (PCCCII) – Iloilo Chapter; and the officials and local volunteers of Barangay Dungon B; to altogether build a new home for Jaro.
It was during the Tzu Chi volunteers’ survey in Jaro 1 (a town in Iloilo City) when they spotted Lolo Isoy, as what his relatives fondly call him. Just like most of the residents of Iloilo, Lolo Isoy’s six by eight-meter house succumbed to the strong winds and flood brought by Typhoon Frank.
Yet, long enough before he became homeless, he had been alone. His wife died in 1973 and his only son was stabbed to death in 1989.
Lolo Isoy also suffered major injury in the spinal column after he fell from a 12 foot-high veranda when he was still working as a barangay kagawad. He had difficulty walking and his fingers went stiff that he can hardly move them to do household chores, or even simple personal hygiene routine such as shaving. Supported by a wooden crutch, Jaro also lives under the care of his sister, nieces and nephews and grandchildren, who were similarly poor like him. More so, Jaro’s sister was blinded with cataract.
Seeing the plight of Lolo Isoy, the Tzu Chi volunteers decided to construct a house for him. Oscar Chua, a member of the PCCCII also committed to provide other materials such as mahogany wood, plywood, galvanized iron (GI) sheets, hollow blocks and cement. On the other hand, barangay officials and volunteers headed by Boy Grecia and Reynaldo Caballero volunteered their services to the construction.
On July 25, with the arrival of supplies and the presence of manpower, the construction of a new house for Lolo Isoy kicked off. Later that afternoon, the very first post of Lolo Isoy’s house was erected.
Constructing Lolo Isoy’s house, no matter how small it is, entailed fast, hard work. With the target date of completion on July 27, the workers needed to act double time. Tzu Chi volunteers, together with TIMA doctors recognized the hardship of manual labor, thus each of them, regardless of gender and age, partook in the construction of Lolo Isoy’s house.
With a lot of muscles working and a lot of great love pouring in, the house was completed just right on target date. The construction workers were also able to make a wooden bed out of the remaining materials.
Just as it was a plain and empty house, Tzu Chi volunteers also brought household supplies such as mattress, pillows and blankets, kitchen and eating utensils; basic food supplies such as sugar, oats, milk, juice and cooking oil; and personal effects for Lolo Isoy such as new clothes, slippers and hygiene products.
With the house ready to be occupied, Tzu Chi volunteers then prepared Lolo Isoy for his new home. A Tzu Chi volunteer carefully shaved his beard and mustache, who according to Lolo Isoy, has been untouched for three months. The volunteers also let him try his new clothes and slippers. TIMA Doctor Suryanny Wang even applied lotion to Lolo Isoy’s arms and legs.
With a clearer face and a much wider smile, Lolo Isoy, together with his relatives and friends, thanked the Tzu Chi Foundation and the rest of the people who became part of the construction of his new home.
“I would never forget Tzu Chi. Thank you very, very much. This is a very great birthday gift for me, “ Lolo Isoy, who is celebrating his 68th birthday on August 23, said.
Chua, onthe other hand said that after joining the Tzu Chi and other local volunteers in constructing and painting the house, he had realized that “There is a much nobler goal in life than to work hard and earn money. That is to open your heart and share your love by helping people, most especially the needy ones like Lolo Isoy.” |