Raging for only two days, the fringe of Typhoon Babs caused great damage in the Philippines, both to lives and property. However, perhaps because the Filipinos are used to the onslaught of typhoons, they didn't complain. Instead they laughed, "If we have no other way to survive, we'll simply have to go begging in the streets."

When people in Taiwan began to worry about Typhoon Babs approaching their island, Tzu Chi members in the Philippines were already visiting the most devastated areas in the trail of the typhoon. Raging for only two days, the fringe of the storm caused great damage in the Philippines--eighty-two people died and over a hundred were wounded. The typhoon destroyed houses and fields and left thousands on the verge of starvation.

After careful inspection, Tzu Chi members in the Philippines distributed rice, medicine, tents, blankets and clothes to the most seriously affected victims in the provinces of Pangasinan and Catanduanes from November 7 to November 11.

The challenge of making damage inspections

If people think charity relief work has no problems, they had better take a look at the challenges that Tzu Chi members encountered while inspecting the damage in Catanduanes Province.

Originally, the distribution of relief supplies was scheduled for November 3, but it was delayed because some officials in the provincial government were at odds over operational procedures. Brother Shu Wen-huan and other Tzu Chi members negotiated with them again and again until plans were finally settled. In order to prepare for the delivery of emergency supplies, a five-person inspection group was organized, consisting of Tsai Wan-lei, Wang Jen-chieh, Lee Wei-sung, Yang Kuo-yin, and Tseng Kuo-hsiung. With the help of a friend, the group borrowed a small plane and made an inspection flight on the morning of November 5, after which they arranged for the distribution of the aid.

Collecting the rice and other relief items, storing them in a central location, and dispatching the trucks all depended on the cooperation of the local people, but facilities were limited. "We can't do it this way. We'll have to find the Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce to help us." But on this small, unfamiliar island, where could they find such an organization?

"I know where it is and I can take you there," their Philippine driver said. He drove them to the house of Hung Chun-sun, director of the OCCC, and with her help the problems were solved. But if they had arrived only ten minutes later, she would have been out and the relief work would have been delayed once again.

That same afternoon, under arrangements made by Ms. Hung, the five, now divided into three teams, set out for the disaster area. Because the local landing field had no equipment to handle night flights, the plane had to take off before the sun set at 5:33. They arranged to meet at the airport at five sharp.

Time slipped away, second by second. Only Yang Kuo-yin and Tseng Kuo-hsiung reached the airport in time. The sun began to set and there was no sign of the other three. At half past five, the plane had to take off. As the plane climbed into the sky, the other three came rushing into the airport. The two on the plane could only wave them goodbye.

"After our inspection tour I went to the hotel to make reservations," Lee Wei-sung recalled. "But the hotel owner had gone to pick up his son from school…" Since there was no other hotel and the entire group would have no place to stay without a reservation, he could only wait until the owner came back.

What happened to the other two? "We thought we had enough time," Tsai Wan-lei and Wang Jen-chieh reported. "So we went with the magistrate of San Andres County to inspect the most devastated areas along the coast. But the road was so bad that our car broke down."

Afraid that they might miss the plane, the magistrate kindly stopped a passing motorcyclist for help. With Tsai and Wang squeezed onto the back of the motorcycle, the young driver explained the scenery and surroundings as they sped toward the airport. The passengers in the back were anxious about missing their plane, but at the same time they were also afraid of falling off the bike. When they finally reached the airport, the plane had already taken off. So, along with Lee who had just arrived, they could only go back to the hotel to feed the mosquitoes.

Not afraid of difficulties

Typhoon Babs inflicted great harm both in the Philippines and in Taiwan. Because there are Tzu Chi members throughout Taiwan and communication is much better there, mobilizing disaster relief missions is a lot easier. With Tzu Chi members providing hot food, distributing emergency money, etc., the whole relief process is much faster and more efficient.

In the Philippines, it is quite a different matter. There are many, many islands and disaster areas are usually thousands of miles away from Manila, where the Tzu Chi branch office is located. For both inspection and distribution, the foremost problem is transportation. Because of limited manpower, each Tzu Chi member in the Philippines has to do the work of ten people during disaster relief missions. Given these restraints, they can only provide help to the most severely affected disaster areas.

"Because there are no accurate census records in the Philippines, it is very difficult for us to verify the number of victims who need help. And we also have to rely on the local government and the OCCC for coordination and communication." The situation challenges the wisdom and physical strength of local Tzu Chi members. Fortunately, they have already made a name for themselves by providing free clinics and conducting disaster relief missions in the past. Their contributions have won recognition from local society, and they have also received considerable assistance from the government during disaster relief activities.

Although it takes much time and manpower to implement emergency relief, each relief mission generates many touching stories.

Overseas Chinese businessmen appreciate Tzu Chi for giving them an opportunity to support such worthwhile efforts, and government officials praise Tzu Chi members for their good training, loving hearts and enthusiasm. Many ask how to join the Tzu Chi organization.

"When a disaster strikes, some people are willing to help the victims and care for them during their most difficult time. If in the future these former victims can help others, our actions will have been worthwhile." The hope of creating a circle of love is probably the one constant dynamic for the Tzu Chi members in the Philippines.

The women at Pangasinan

When men in Pangasinan Province were busy rebuilding their homes, it was the women's job to collect emergency supplies at Tzu Chi distribution centers. Most men earn their livelihood as fishermen. Women wash clothes for others to earn a little extra money to support the family while their children sell popsicles on the streets. Life was already very difficult, and the typhoon made it worse. However, the typhoon also brought a little luck for the fishermen. With the flooding caused by the typhoon, many fish raised by the rich flowed from their ponds into the river, thus generating a larger catch for poor fishermen to sell. With that income and the emergency supplies from Tzu Chi, they should be able to weather this difficult time.

Outstanding students at Catanduanes

The bell rang for class, but it was raining and water leaked through holes in the tin roof. Since class could not continue, the teacher and students at Cabcab Elementary School in Catanduanes Province crowded into a corner of the classroom and watched the Tzu Chi members distribute relief supplies outside.

The students in this class were fifth and sixth graders who excelled in math and science. Supposedly they were the hope of the future for the Philippines. "But the biggest problem is that they are poverty-stricken," said the teacher helplessly. In addition to teaching, teachers have to donate money for classroom repairs, and sometimes they even have to buy food and deliver it to the homes of poor students.

Because of this poverty, many students must work at home and cannot attend school regularly. No matter how brilliant they are, only the lucky ones may continue their education after graduating from elementary school. The others become servants in Manila.

How much can Tzu Chi's scanty emergency supplies help them? At least they don't have to worry about the next meal. And they can stay in school just a little bit longer.

Deadly silence

When a typhoon approaches, villagers always head for higher ground. In the village of Kilikilihan, thirty-six villagers were crammed into a small house on the slope of a mountain when a landslide buried them alive. After the disaster, a deadly silence fell over Kilikilihan and a colorless gray covered everything, making it look as if a fire had wiped out the village.

Distribution at night

Because of poor road conditions, it was already dark when the relief team arrived in Santo Domingo, where over two hundred victims were waiting. All of a sudden, the sky became even darker and it started to rain. Since there was no electricity, the villagers had to use oil lamps so that the distribution could go on.

Afterwards, we groped through the dark back to the car. Suddenly, a beam of light from a flashlight showed us the way. When we expressed our appreciation, the man grinned, his white teeth gleaming, and wished us a safe journey back.

Floating timber, new homes

After Typhoon Babs' wild dance, the long coastline of Catanduanes Province was a jumble of fallen trees. Many large trees on the mountains had been uprooted by the strong winds and blown into the Bato River. From there they floated into the sea. By the time the tide washed them back onto the shore, the twigs, branches and bark had been scraped off.