Nestled near the heart of Bohol, Sagbayan was once the epicenter of the devastating 2013 Bohol earthquake which tells a powerful story of resilience and compassion that continues to unfold. The Happy Home and Computer Turnover Ceremony held on September 29, 2025, became a living testament to how love, when shared selflessly, creates ripples of hope that touch countless lives. Sagbayan is also a Tzu Chi community that now proudly holds the record for having the most Happy Homes turned over in the history of Tzu Chi Bohol.
On that meaningful day, 15 compassionate individuals composed of 2 Manila commissioners, 7 Taiwan volunteers, 1 Bohol commissioner, 5 staff members, and 1 local volunteer joined hands to witness the true essence of giving. Together, they turned over 2 newly built Happy Homes and computers to 2 public elementary schools in Sagbayan.
For many of the Taiwan volunteers, it was their first time setting foot in Bohol, and what they saw and felt deeply moved them. One volunteer from Taiwan Sr. Su Mei-Ching, expressed with heartfelt emotion, “It gives people a new chance at life. I feel this is a beautiful connection, a cycle of love, and I think it’s truly, truly wonderful.” This perfectly embodies the Jing Si Aphorism, “A kind thought is the beginning of a cycle of love.”
These homes are more than just structures made of wood and nails but they are symbols of renewed dignity and hope. They give families a safe space to rebuild their dreams and remind them that they are not forgotten. The elderly, too, have found peace and comfort in their new homes. Taiwan volunteer Sr. Peng Yueh-O shared, “It’s heartwarming to see that the elderly are well cared for. Their daily living has become safer, with a shelter that protects them from the wind and rain.”
Beyond homes, the spirit of generosity extended to education. In some remote communities of Bohol, access to computers remains a challenge, and many students long for tools that can connect them to the wider world. That day, their hopes were answered as Tzu Chi volunteers turned over computers to Calangahan and Canmano Elementary Schools in Sagbayan.
One Taiwan volunteer Brother Chiang Ming Yuan shared, “These computers can help students broaden their understanding of the world, which is beneficial for their education. We hope that in the future, they can have a computer in every classroom or perhaps even a computer lab just like Taiwan did in the early days.”
As the turnover came to an end, gratitude filled the air. Smiles shone brighter than the morning sun, and tears reflected in the eyes of recipients whose lives had just been changed. The heartfelt “thank you” from the families were not just words but they were echoes of hope, appreciation, and love.
Indeed, in every home built and every computer donated, the message is clear that love knows no distance, and compassion knows no boundaries. Through these acts of kindness, the Tzu Chi Foundation continues to plant seeds of love in Bohol, a love that grows, multiplies, and returns, completing the beautiful cycle of love.
