In October 2006, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed four power generators to Sorsogon Province in the Philippines to ease water and power shortages following regional devastation by Typhoon Xangsane. Out of compassion, Master also instructed fellow initiates from Formosa to visit Los Banos, where severe mudslides had been triggered by the typhoon, to determine whether there were any water shortage problems. (For details on relief efforts in these two places, please refer to News No. 175 and 176.)

The Formosan initiates revisited Los Banos at the end of October and found that the disaster area had undergone successful restoration, with few remaining signs of the earlier damage by landslides. However, houses at a foothill most heavily affected by mudslides were found to be in precarious condition and local inhabitants were living in makeshift cabins built along the slope. The visitors learned that water supply had been cut off due to destruction of a water pipe by landslides. The Village Chief recounted his people’s inconvenience in having to carry drinkable water from a well three kilometers away. When he heard about Master’s loving concern for his community, the light of hope shimmered in his eyes. He suggested that the simplest solution would be to drill two wells for his people.

Fellow initiates immediately contracted well-drilling experts for the job but found that it was difficult to drill through the hard rock at the site. Therefore, we decided to lay new water pipes instead. With Master’s blessings, long pipes were laid to deliver tap water to each house and water meters were installed. Local people no longer had to make toilsome trips to carry water from afar; they now had easy and convenient access to hygienic tap water. Fellow initiates are extremely touched by Master’s immense concern and care for sentient beings. Like sweet nectar, Her love has nurtured the body, mind, and spirit of these villagers living in remote mountain areas.

The Philippines has suffered an onslaught of typhoons this year, the fourth one in close succession being Durian, which wreaked havoc in the eastern part of the country on November 30. It unleashed heavy rainfall, triggering severe mudslides along Mayon Volcano, 320 km to the southeast of Manila, which caused high casualties and devastated villages. Central and northern Philippines also suffered tragic losses, as the typhoon set off mudslides and floods, destroyed houses, as well as cutting off power supply, transportation and communication.

The Supreme Master Ching Hai was extremely concerned upon hearing this tragic news. She immediately contributed US$100,000 and instructed fellow initiates to devote full effort to providing relief to and meeting the needs of disaster victims. At the time, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association’s Special Seminar in Thailand had just ended and fellow initiates were returning home. Several brothers received Master’s instruction when still in Thailand. Upon arriving in Formosa on the evening of December 4, they immediately enquired about flight schedules, visas and other relevant information. They also purchased rain gear, lighting and communication equipment, and other essential items before stores closed. The following morning, they completed all necessary procedures and flew to Manila as soon as they could.

Meanwhile, on the afternoon of December 5, a three-member team arrived in Legaspi, capital of Albay Province, where they visited Governor Fernando Gonzales and other officials in the disaster relief center by the city hall. After gathering information about the situation and emergency supplies needed in different places, the fellow initiates visited affected areas in the neighborhood to find out more about the disaster. The two teams of initiates later met at the hotel and discovered via the Internet that mudslides had destroyed villages near Legaspi, including Padang, which had been wiped out and reduced to a “black desert” at the foot of Mayon Volcano.

Early on the morning of December 6, the first group traveled to Legaspi to obtain further information and buy relief materials. The second group made calls from the Manila Center, transmitting information and making posters. Just when they were preparing to visit Mayor Noel Rosal, they unexpectedly met him at the hotel, where he and his family had temporarily relocated after their home was flooded. Mayor Rosal directed the initiates to approach the Social Welfare Development Center, which was in charge of disaster relief, to learn about the situation and emergency relief needed in Padang. There they received news that more than 30,000 victims were desperately waiting for help.

A local official, Ms. Manaya, introduced several major food manufacturers to the initiates, who then decided to enlist the assistance of Mr. Yao Heng-shan. With his enormous help, fellow initiates immediately purchased the required quantities of rice, biscuits, potable water, infant milk powder and other essentials. That evening, two initiates from the video group and an Aulacese sister flew into Manila from Thailand, ready to take an early flight to Legaspi the following day.

Early on the morning of December 7, fellow initiates left Manila and managed to reach the affected area after a 12-hour journey. There, relief supplies were unloaded by soldiers sent by the government. Water had seeped into the local shelter and people slept on chairs stacked high up to stay above it. Most people were barefoot and there was no clean water for personal hygiene. The working staff had already noticed signs of dysentery among children. While distributing the relief materials, fellow initiates also handed out blessed food and Master’s photos. To curious people and soldiers asking “Who is this beautiful lady,” fellow initiates took the opportunity to introduce Master.

The relief team then proceeded to a shelter near Mayon Volcano; they were shocked by the frightful scenes of destruction during their journey. At the shelter, they quickly distributed relief materials and blessed food to the victims. Before the group departed, several victims requested Master’s photos, the best consolation for their hearts and souls.

With Master’s blessing, miracles occurred one after another to ensure that the relief effort was successful. Through the initiates, Master conveyed Her love to victims in the disaster areas, touching every soul that the relief team contacted, rekindling hope in their hearts, and bringing cheerful smiles to their faces.

On December 8, fellow initiates met with the Mayor of Legaspi in his office and learned that another 30,000 victims needed emergency relief in two other heavily affected counties--Guinobatan and Daraga. The Mayor wanted those affected in the neighboring regions to also receive help. Fellow initiates responded immediately by preparing to launch another relief effort. (Reports on further relief work will be published in the next issue of the News magazine.)

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