Some people live a life so full of light that their influence never truly fades. It simply echoes in the hearts of those they touch. The Tzu Chi Foundation felt this truth deeply on June 2, 2025, with the passing of Brother Michael Siao, known to all as Ahia Mike. At just 51, he was taken by pneumonia, leaving behind an emptiness that can never be filled. Today, September 10, 2025, the Tzu Chi Bohol family marks the 100th day since the passing of Brother Mike, honoring his memory and his enduring legacy.
For 33 years, Brother Mike devoted his life to selfless service. He began as a young Tzu Chi Youth and grew to become a commissioner, a role he filled with great wisdom and compassion. He was a beacon of light, guiding countless others with his kindness and a heart that was always open. His life was a powerful example of what it means to live for others, and though he is gone, his spirit continues to inspire all who were lucky enough to know him.
Since Tzu Chi started in Bohol in 2014, Brother Mike was at the very core of its mission. In 2019, he led the Tzu Chi Youth of Bohol and started the first local youth camp. It was a major milestone, but his biggest impact was on the lives he changed. He patiently mentored young Tzu Chi Youth and community volunteers, teaching them to embrace Tzu Chi’s values and to lead with love.
Mark Boiser delivering a speech during the local TCY Camp 2024.
Mark Boiser delivering his speech during the local TCY Camp 2025.
One of those young lives he inspired was Mark Boiser, who served as the Tzu Chi Youth Head both last year and this year. Now 21, Mark is a fourth-year student at BISU-MAIN Campus, taking up a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship. He was 19 when he first met Brother Mike at a youth camp in Loon, Bohol. However, the meeting that left the deepest mark was in Taiwan in December 2023, during a Global Tzu Ching Camp, when Brother Mike chose him as the Network Leader for Tzu Chi Bohol.
𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵: 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬
I can still remember his gentle concern,” Mark recalls. “He asked if I was doing well and if I was enjoying the experience. From those simple words, I could feel his genuine care for all of us.” Mark describes Brother Mike’s warm smile, which could brighten any room and bring a feeling of peace and safety to everyone around him. His kindness touched every person he met.
To honor his memory, Mark wrote a song titled “Grateful to You.” On July 13, 2025, he performed it with his fellow Tzu Chings during the last day of the local youth camp in Tontonan, Loon, Bohol. The lyrics shared the simple, yet beautiful lessons Brother Mike had taught him that “true happiness comes from the kindness we show to others, not from what we own, and that a life with purpose is a life lived with love and compassion.”
Mark chose the title “Grateful to You” because he is most thankful to Brother Mike for believing in him, even when he doubted himself and struggled with self-esteem. Brother Mike’s faith in him gave him the courage to step out of his own shadows and embrace his true potential.
Mark shared that one part of the lyrics really struck him the most, “The moment that you speak, tapping every shoulder who feels weak, saying you can do it, just have faith and believe it.”
This song is more than a tribute; it is a promise. Mark vowed to continue Brother Mike’s work, leading the Bohol Tzu Chings with the same dedication and heart. “Ahia, though you may no longer be with us physically, you continue to live in our hearts,” he said.
Through a simple and heartfelt melody, Mark ensures that Brother Michael Siao’s legacy lives on. It’s a powerful and beautiful reminder that music can truly become a timeless medium of remembrance.
GRATEFUL TO YOU
感恩您
(English with Chinese Translation)
Intro:
Your smile shines so bright
你的笑容多燦爛
So bright just as the moonlight
宛如月光閃耀
Not too painful, just right
不刺眼的溫柔，剛剛好的光
Your Positivity, spread like light
你的樂觀，悄悄點亮黑暗。
The moment that you speak
你開口的瞬間
Tapping every shoulders who feels weak
輕拍每個脆弱的肩膀
Saying you can do it
總是說：「你一定可以
Just have faith and believe it
要有信心，相信自己！」
Til now, we are hoping it was all a dream
至今我們仍盼望那只是夢境，
Right now so painful that we wanted to scream
如今的痛，想大聲哭喊出心情。
Chorus:
It’s hard but we need to bid a farewell to you
好難開口，但我們得向你說聲再見，
To the selfless, loving man, that we ever knew
致那位無私深愛我們的良善之人。
Clear our minds, help us to accept what happened to you
讓心漸漸釋懷，學會接受這一切
May you guide us as we continue to the path we’ll be going through
願你引領我們繼續未來的路程。
Grateful to you
感恩您
As we walk on this life
在人生的路途中，
We will bring the lessons you gave to us
我們會把你的教誨緊緊記住。
Making it as our guide
它將是我們的指引，
Hoping you’ll always be on our side
願你仍在我們左右，陪著我們一路前行。
Til now, we are hoping it was all a dream
至今我們仍盼望那只是夢境，
Right now so painful that we wanted to scream
如今的痛，想大聲哭喊出心情。
Chorus:
It’s hard but we need to bid a farewell to you
好難開口，但我們得向你說聲再見，
To the selfless, loving man, that we ever knew
致那位無私深愛我們的良善之人。
Clear our minds, help us to accept what happened to you
讓心漸漸釋懷，學會接受這一切
May you guide us as we continue to the path we’ll be going through
願你引領我們繼續未來的路程。
Grateful to you
感恩您
