On December 3, Golden Year 3 (2006), typhoon Durian swept across the Philippines, causing the greatest devastation in twenty years to southeastern Luzon Island. Supreme Master Ching Hai was extremely concerned upon hearing this tragic news. She immediately contributed US$100,000 and instructed fellow initiates of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to render relief according to the needs of the disaster victims. On December 5, our fellow initiates arrived in Legazpi, the capital of Albay Province, and promptly launched a series of relief effort. After finding out the needs of the victims, they purchased emergency supplies in the Philippines and delivered them to the affected area on December 7.

On December 8, fellow initiates met with the Mayor of Legazpi in his office and learned that over 30,000 victims in two more heavily affected counties – Guinobatan and Daraga – were urgently awaiting relief. He hoped that his fellow countrymen in the neighboring regions could also receive help. Therefore, fellow initiates immediately prepared to launch the next relief effort. (Please refer to News No. 177 for earlier reports on this relief work.)

On December 9, Legazpi was hit by a torrential downpour brought by another typhoon looming in the region. Many of the shelters were in poor condition and some did not have a roof. Fellow initiates helped the Social Welfare and Development Center relocate the victims and distributed the relief materials until December 11.

Adhering to Master’s instruction, fellow initiates included salt and soy sauce in the relief supplies. The beneficiaries were extremely touched that Master was so loving and considerate to have sensed their needs and thought of giving them salt. All the relief provisions contributed by Master were delivered directly to the victims, so that they could enjoy the gifts of love at the earliest time possible.

After the distribution work was finished, staff members of the Social Welfare and Development Center held Master’s photo in their hands and said repeatedly, “Thank You very much, Supreme Master Ching Hai!” In an interview with a local radio station, a brother initiate on the relief team conveyed Master’s concern about the disaster situation in the Philippines.

Fellow initiates received Master’s encouragement on December 12. While grateful for Master’s blessings, they were also more determined to do their best to accomplish this relief work.

During this time, with the help of Mayor Noel Rozal, fellow initiates were able to have the transportation to go to Maipon, one of the worst affected villages in Guinobatan County, where a mudslide took away nearly 300 lives. On this trip to the devastated village at the foot of Volcano Mayon, they ran into a sandstorm and found access cut off by destroyed bridges. Under God’s arrangement, we were lucky to meet villagers eager to show us another route. Playing Master’s Buddha Chanting during the journey, they made their way through water to reach the affected area. There they learned from the villagers that the black soil under their feet was once paddy fields with farmhouses and luxurious residences of rich people who loved country life. This drastic change had awakened people to the ephemeral nature of life.

Fellow initiates then traveled to Daraga County. Here, Mayor Gerry R. Jaucian told them that, according to past experiences, relief efforts by NGOs usually ended about three weeks after the disaster. As almost two weeks had passed since the typhoon struck, he anticipated that Daraga County would soon be facing difficulties. He hoped that groups like The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association would continue to help them.

The worst-hit area in Daraga was Busay Village, where a mudslide had left almost 200 people dead or missing. Despite the natural disaster, the victims remained touchingly optimistic and steadfast in their faith in God and Hiers arrangements. When they received relief supplies from the fellow initiates, their faces lit up with cheerful and grateful smiles at Master’s timely assistance.

Having accomplished their relief efforts in three areas in Albay Province, on December 20, fellow initiates proceeded to another affected area in Naga City in Camarine Sur Province. Mayor Jessie Robredo was very grateful to our relief team for their assistance and requested copies of Master’s sample book and DVD. He wanted to make Master’s teachings available in libraries so that more people would benefit.

During the fourth week after the disaster, fellow initiates journeyed from village to village to study the situation and ensure that relief materials had been delivered into the hands of the truly needy victims. Villagers in this area were mainly poor farmers who suffered heavy losses when their crops were destroyed by the typhoon. Master’s aid was no doubt most precious and timely for them. A village chief said that before going to bed the night before, she had prayed to God for help as food supplies were running low. She had not expected to see our relief team in her village by the following afternoon. Master’s loving concern for the victims was God’s answer to her prayer, she said.

The next stop was Del Rosario Village. With Christmas approaching, fellow initiates hoped that the victims could celebrate the occasion without material shortage. They purchased rice, instant noodles, salt, soy sauce and Christmas candies, and worked through the night to pack them in packages with help from volunteer workers. They also played at the Village Office some English songs sung by Master, so that everyone could work more efficiently amid a joyous atmosphere. In response to the Village Chief’s curious interest in this beautiful Lady who seemed to have descended directly from Heaven, fellow initiates gave him a DVD introducing Master and some News magazines. He immediately watched the entire DVD on his computer, and instructed his staff members to cooperate with our team, so that the relief materials could be distributed before Christmas.

The relief operation in the Philippines concluded on December 26. All participating fellow initiates were deeply touched by Master’s love. Master once said that She too is working by our side when we are conducting disaster relief activities. Fellow initiates realized that, through distributing relief supplies, Master not only is saving the suffering souls stricken by disaster but also is constantly by our side infusing us with lots of love and blessings. Without water or electricity, and faced with many ordeals, fellow initiates have nonetheless reaped a rich spiritual harvest. From the grateful smiles of the victims, we truly felt that it is important for sentient beings to love and care for each other.