SAGBAYAN, BOHOL — In Barangay Santa Cruz, two elderly residents continue to work each day, doing what they can to support their basic needs despite age and difficult living conditions.
65-year-old Alfredo Risada would take all sorts of odd jobs available, “to be able to buy rice and put food on the table”, he said. As a farmer, harvesting the rice fields is not permanent and would depend on the season so he would rely on making firewood which is a staple since he uses the surrounding branches of mango trees that takes days to do and sold for 12 pesos per bundle of 6 pieces. His wife, Yolanda, took on small jobs when available as well. They have 12 offsprings and only one lives with them, the rest have their own families and can barely survive on their own. Originally from Cebu province, the couple had long moved and settled in Bohol. Their house begun to worn out as years passed, which was worsened by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in December 2021, Alfredo tried to rebuilt their home patch by patch using salvaged materials that gradually deteriorated, leaving them unsheltered and exposed to rainwater seeping inside.
A few kilometers away, Crisologo Amotan (76) gathers and bundles firewood as his main source of livelihood. Doing the collection of raw materials and drying the fire wood by himself, it takes him several days to complete one bundle, which he sells for ₱10.00 pesos per bundle of 7 pieces. This little income, together with a quarterly senior citizen pension and occasional help from their only daughter who is a widow and lives a few meters away, helps sustain their daily needs.
Crisologo lives with his wife, Regina, who is 13 years his senior in a house that was worn out by Typhoon Odette. She helps earn a small amount into the household by praying novenas for the deceased during wakes. For years, their home remained dilapidated where the roof lets in the rain water and the heat of the sun, and its structure badly weakened by time and weather conditions.
Despite the adversities, both families carried on with determination, making do with what little they had.
On January 24, 2026, both families were each accorded a new beginning.
Through the Tzu Chi Bohol’s Happy Home Project, their newly built homes—Happy Home Nos. 301 and 302—were formally turned over to them.
What once were fragile shelters made of worn out materials have now been replaced with safe and stable homes. For Crisologo and Alfredo, this is a sense of security that had long been uncertain for them.
“Despite our life situation and house condition, I am contented with our life as long as we can eat three times a day. But I am thankful to be given and built a new home (by Tzu Chi) because I would not be able to build one (in this lifetime)”, said a grateful Alfredo who also added that he will still use the old house as their kitchen.
During the turnover, a visit to Happy Home 302 became an opportunity to fulfill a promise.
Regina Amotan (89), wife of Crisologo, had long been living with the loss of her left eye due to an infection. Moved by her situation, Dr. Adriene Lim from the Tzu Chi Eye Center in Manila made a commitment to return.
On Valentine’s Day, that promise was fulfilled. Unbeknownst to the Amotan’s, they were clueless of the visit by Dr. Lim.
In a simple yet meaningful visit, Dr, Lim Regina was fitted with a custom artificial eye. The change was remarkable, bringing back not only her appearance but also her smile.
When asked what she wished for, Regina shyly shared that she hoped for a bigger mirror to replace the small, worn one hanging beside her window—so she could fully see herself.
Along with the artificial eye, the team brought a full-sized mirror and a bouquet of flowers. The home was filled with emotion as the couple tearfully and happily received these gifts with gratitude. “It had been my problem for so long because I only had one eye. I am very thankful that you made my dream come true especially this Valentine’s Day, I did not expect this to happen”, said Regina while joyfully weeping.
While Crisologo sits beside his wife, he could only utter a few words trying to hold back his tears, “We are wondering why you all came back today, Tzu Chi and Dr. Lim, you are all God’s blessing to us. First, we were given a new home, now you gave my wife her new eye. My gratitude knows no bounds”.
“Spending Valentine’s Day with family can be done anytime. But with Nanay Regina, it was a promise I wanted to fulfill,” shared Dr. Lim. “For her to seek this kind of care on her own would mean traveling far and spending beyond her means. If we can give it now, there is no reason to delay. It is a special place to spend the day, for a special person.”
Crisologo and Alfredo’s stories reflect the lives of many elderly individuals in rural communities in Bohol, those who continue to work despite age, relying on strength, survival, and acceptance of their situation.
Their perseverance to let each day pass carries people through difficult circumstances, often with little expectation that a blessing such as a new home would come their way.
With safer homes, daily worries are eased, paving the way for both families to move forward with greater peace of mind.
“Even in hardship, those who continue to give their effort are already creating blessings.” – Jing Si Aphorism by Dharma Master Cheng Yen
