In a world filled with challenges and adversity, there is one thing that remains constant: the power of compassion and the resilience of the human spirit.
This edition of Blessings Asia holds a special significance as we shed light on the incredible work of Operation Blessing and the profound impact we are making as we bring healing to broken ground.
We live in a time where natural disasters, conflicts, and tragedies seem to be ever-present. The wounds inflicted upon our communities and the hearts of our fellow human beings can be overwhelming. But amidst the chaos, there is hope. Operation Blessing has been at the forefront, responding with love and humanitarian assistance when it is needed the most.
Our dedicated team, fueled by a deep sense of purpose, rushes to the aid of those affected by disaster, like the earthquake in Turkey. We extend a helping hand, not only to provide immediate relief, but to facilitate long-term healing and restoration.
Whether it’s rebuilding homes ravaged by storms, providing medical care to those in desperate need, or offering psychosocial support to traumatized individuals, Operation Blessing has become a beacon of light in the darkest of times. We have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of healing, as communities rebuild, individuals find strength, and shattered lives are mended.
But none of this would be possible without YOU. Your unwavering commitment, selflessness, and generosity make it possible for us to continue our mission. It is because of YOU that we can bring healing to broken ground and restore hope where it seems lost.
Transforming lives with you,
Families affected by earthquake in Turkey share emotional eyewitness account of the disaster. Their family received food boxes from Operation Blessing and were listened to and prayed for to help process the trauma.
Tragedy struck one fateful day when a massive oil spill contaminated the pristine waters that had nurtured Leovel’s livelihood for decades. The devastating spill brought their community to its knees, leaving the fishermen and their families in desperate need.
Life had not been easy for Joel’s family, especially after the devastating Typhoon Yolanda hit their town. But they were blessed to be beneficiaries of Operation Blessing’s resettlement project in Tacloban, called the Community of Hope. They had been living there since 2021, and it was a new beginning for them.
For Pastor Albin, the gift of sight is more than just a physical one. It represents hope and a chance to continue his work helping his tribe. With the support of Operation Blessing partners, he knows that he can make a difference in his community and help improve the lives of those around him.
Sitio Sinariri is home to the Mangyan people, who have been living in the area for generations. The community is surrounded by lush vegetation and pristine streams, but its isolation has made it difficult for the people to access basic services such as education.
New milestone unlocked for Operation Blessing’s Community of Hope beneficiaries
The oil spill that has impacted the coastal communities of Mindoro has placed a great need for aid and support. It has not only caused environmental damage but has also threatened the livelihoods of fishermen and their families. With the fishing industry severely impacted, many families are left without a source of income and struggling to put food on the table.
In response, Operation Blessing has stepped in to help those affected by distributing hundreds of food bags.
Leovel Moreno was one of the beneficiaries, and he felt a glimmer of hope ignite within him. “I am very grateful for the help that Operation Blessing provided. It’s a big help for my family during these difficult times.”
Sitio Mapedya is a remote community of Dumagats in Nueva Ecija. Because it is so far from the city and difficult to reach, they barely receive any help.
The OB team traveled for almost an entire day, crossing rivers and rocky paths under the scorching heat, just to reach the area and conduct a two-day medical mission.
One of the beneficiaries, Ben, 65, came to the mission complaining of a cough that he had been enduring for months. “I have had this cough for a long time now. Sometimes, it is too painful that I can’t breathe and can’t sleep.”
Even so, as a father, Ben has to work to provide for his household. Two of his six children are studying, and he also takes care of his grandchildren. He is a very hardworking father, doing both farming and broom-weaving.
Aside from the checkup, Ben also had his blood sugar and cholesterol checked. He was given medicine, vitamins, and hygiene products.
When Operation Blessing opened the Community of Hope for Typhoon Yolanda survivors, the beneficiaries had no idea that it would become more than just a place to live. It would become a community of hope that would change lives forever.
Marilyn Desabille had always dreamed of having a home she could call her own. She and her family had lived in her in-laws’ house for years, struggling to make ends meet. But that all changed in 2016, when Operation Blessing opened an opportunity to welcome new families to its resettlement project in Tacloban, the Community of Hope. It was a dream come true for Marilyn, who had always wanted to provide a better life for her children.
But OB didn’t stop in giving them a house to live in. Knowing many of the survivors were struggling to make a living, they provided each family with livelihood assistance.
Marilyn, who had always wanted to open a small enterprise, requested a rice retail business. She was delighted at the opportunity, and she worked tirelessly to see it succeed.
Growing up in a small village in the mountains of Sitio Sinariri in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, Marlou Layhot, 25, never imagined he would be able to continue his studies, let alone be accepted as Operation Blessing’s Back-To-School (BTS) scholar.
Marlou belonged to the indigenous Mangyan group and had grown up with his parents and siblings. Life in the mountains was tough, and Marlou’s family survived by planting crops and trimming coconuts.
Despite the challenges, Marlou had always dreamed of something more. “I wanted to be a cop,” he admitted, but his dream had always seemed far-fetched as he had started school at the age of 14 and stopped going for two years due to the bad influence of his peers.
But everything changed when Marlou was given the opportunity to go back to school, thanks to a scholarship from Operation Blessing.
“As a BTS scholar, I receive financial assistance, which is a great help to me and my family,” Marlou explained. Aside from constructing a school for their community, Operation Blessing assisted the students of Sitio Sinariri with their needs by supplying them with armchairs and distributing school supplies in collaboration with the AY Foundation.
“The situation here is very sad. I haven’t experienced something like this in my whole life. The earthquake was horrible.”
Ali Doghrou couldn’t contain his emotions as he shared his family’s experience during the earthquake.
In the aftermath, his family had to squeeze into a single tent to ensure their safety from potential aftershocks and the harsh cold. Although their house remained standing, it was riddled with cracks that made them fearful of entering.
“The first few days was very bad because we did not have enough food and a good tent to stay in. Thank God, we received a lot of help after few days,” Ali said.
Operation Blessing is one of the organizations that promptly responded to the needs of earthquake survivors in Turkey, played a vital role in their recovery.
Continuing their relief efforts, the team traveled to Ali’s community, bringing food boxes containing essential supplies that would sustain them for the following weeks. Ali expressed his appreciation for the provision of food, water, and other necessities, acknowledging the grace of God in their lives.
“I have been involved with Operation Blessing for a long time, doing disaster relief efforts during earthquakes and floods. But, this one is different...”
Dr. Fe Prevendido-Moses is a medical doctor and a dedicated volunteer of Operation Blessing. She served as a medical field officer for Operation Blessing from 2000 to 2003, but her journey as a volunteer began in 1996.
She contributed her skills to major international disaster relief endeavors, including the 1999 earthquake in Taiwan.
After several years, fate called upon her again to serve in yet another significant disaster.
She willingly volunteered as a member of the OB Medical Team, offering aid and care to the survivors of the earthquake in Turkey.
“I’m not gonna forget this disaster relief. This one’s really different. My heart stays in Turkey,” Dr. Fe concluded, reflecting on the significant impact of her experiences.
“The feeling that they care about us and wonder how we feel... and ask, ‘what can we offer you?’... it means a lot. Even if they do not give us anything, the question means a lot to us.” - Mehmet, 23
Following a devastating earthquake in Turkey’s Hatay province, Operation Blessing came to the aid of the affected people. They brought a mobile clinic as well as a team of volunteer doctors ready to provide medical assistance to those in need.
As they went house to house to serve those unable to visit the clinic, they came across a young man named Mehmet and his family. Mehmet was a young professional who had been deeply affected by the earthquake. He shared that after the earthquake, they had to stay in a sedan car, enduring the cold and rainy weather just to stay safe.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Mehmet remained hopeful. He found comfort in knowing that they were not alone. “We are building ourselves again, and this help means a lot to us,” he said.
The volunteer doctors also checked the health of Mehmet’s mother and aunt, who had developed skin issues due to stress and the weather. They prescribed topical medicines and offered advice on how to take care of themselves.
“I think more than your sympathy, you empathize with them [people in need]. I know that one single person you touch, one single person you hug, will make an impact.”Doc
“I know OB as having a holistic approach to serving; they serve the whole being of man, including the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the person. They reach the unreachable, and I love their goal— the transformation of people and the community.” - Rex
Wendell Asuncion, Disaster Response Turkey medical volunteer
Llavore, Volunteer Pastor
“God-given gifts and skills were meant to be shared with others. Serving people through OB is an opportunity for me to do so.”
- Joy Lanoy, Mobile Clinic Volunteer Nurse
Leovel Moreno, a 53-year-old fisherman from Brgy. Estrella, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, had spent more than 35 years of his life at sea. He had weathered storms and battled against the unpredictable tides to provide for his family.
Although he had hopes of completing his studies, the sea had claimed his youth, luring him into its depths at a young age. Fishing became his only livelihood, the source of sustenance for his family, and the gateway to survival.
However, tragedy struck one fateful day when a massive oil spill contaminated the pristine waters that had nurtured Leovel’s livelihood for decades. The devastating spill brought their community to its knees, leaving the fishermen and their families in desperate need.
“I am very grateful for the help that Operation Blessing provided. It’s a big help for my family during these difficult times,” Leovel shared, his voice filled with gratitude.
“With our main source of income affected, we were forced to rely on the local government’s food assistance to survive,” Leovel said.
His worries escalated when he realized that he could no longer afford to give his children their daily allowance. “Determined to continue their education, my children resorted to walking long distances to reach their school.”
The burden weighed heavily on Leovel’s shoulders as he saw his children face such hardships.
It was during this time of despair that Operation Blessing extended a helping hand. Joined by beauty queen, TV actress, and The 700 Club Asia host Joyce BurtonTitular, our Disaster Response Team provided food bags filled with essential items like rice, canned goods, and bread. Leovel was one of the beneficiaries, and he felt a glimmer of hope ignite within
“I am very grateful for the help that Operation Blessing provided. It’s a big help for my family during these difficult times,” Leovel shared, his voice filled with gratitude.
Despite the trials they faced, Leovel held onto the hope that better days would come. He yearned for a life where he could give his children the opportunities he never had.
As Leovel stood on the shores of Naujan, his gaze fixed on the horizon, he saw the glimmer of hope shimmering on the water’s surface. He knew that with determination and support, he could overcome any obstacle.
Every morning, Joel would wake up early to tend to his farm. He would check on his string bean plants, making sure that they were getting enough water and sunlight. He is meticulous in his work, knowing that the quality of his plants will affect his sales.
Joel Dupa has four children, and three of them are currently studying. His wife, who is 38 years old, also helps out by taking on laundry jobs from time to time to support their daily expenses.
In addition to gardening, Joel also takes on carpentry jobs on the side. He has always been handy with tools, and he enjoys the work.
Life had not been easy for Joel’s family, especially after the devastating Typhoon Yolanda hit their town. But they were blessed to be beneficiaries of Operation Blessing’s resettlement project in Tacloban, called the Community of Hope. They had been living there since 2021, and it was a new beginning for them.
To support their living, Operation Blessing had also given the beneficiaries livelihood assistance according to their capacity to sustain it. “Given the opportunity to propose a livelihood project, I requested gardening needs including a bolo and a watering tool to grow my string beans, which I sell for 30 pesos per bundle,” he explained.
Joel also intends to plant bitter gourd next time to expand his livelihood.
“The Community of Hope had truly been a blessing for me and my family,” Joel said, emotional. “Thank you, Operation Blessing, for helping us rebuild our lives. I’ve never felt more confident than when we held the deed of donation in our hands… As a Community of Hope beneficiary, I feel like I hit a jackpot better than the lottery!”
After almost 8 years of tireless effort in providing assistance to the Community of Hope beneficiaries, Operation Blessing has finally turned over the deed of donation to all 100 families in COH. The ceremony was a momentous event for the beneficiaries of the project, as it marked a new chapter in their lives as they continue to rebuild and recover from the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.
In the Island Garden City of Samal, where the Sama tribe resides, life can be tough. The island’s terrain can be unforgiving, and the tribe’s people have to work hard to make ends meet. For Pastor Albin Obon, life has been even more challenging due to his cataracts.
“The clouding in my eyes has made it difficult for me to carry out my pastoral duties,” he admitted. As a leader of his community, he feels responsible for their spiritual well-being, but he can no longer read the Bible or preach with ease. His condition has hindered his ability to carry out his duties, and he feels helpless.
“It’s hard, honestly, but I can’t just quit knowing my family and my fellow tribesmen need me,” he said.
Life wasn’t always like this for Pastor Albin. He used to be a fisherman and worked hard to provide for his family. He prefers to work rather than stay at home. But with his condition worsening, he is no longer able to earn as much as he used to. This has put a financial strain on him, who has a family of six to support.
However, Pastor Albin’s life is about to change for the better as Operation Blessing commits to assist him in his much-needed cataract operation through its LifeChanging Surgery Project. He feels blessed that he will finally be able to see clearly again and continue with his pastoral work.
For Pastor Albin, the gift of sight is more than just a physical one. It represents hope and a chance to continue his work helping his tribe. With the support of Operation Blessing partners, he knows that he can make a difference in his community and help improve the lives of those around him.
When asked about his plans after his treatment, Pastor Albin says, “I want to help my tribe communicate with the authorities. There are many challenges that we face, but we need to work together to overcome them. With my eyesight back to normal, I will be able to serve my community better.”
Once a vibrant farmer, Diokno’s life took a dramatic turn when he lost his hearing in 2018. He’d resigned himself to a life without medical care since then. But all of that changed when he learned about a medical mission in their community, which provided him with his first eye checkup in his entire life.
Diokno Mambagimbay is a 51-year-old Lumad (belonging to the indigenous group) farmer who lives in Kitaotao, Bukidnon. Of all his seven children, only four lived with him and his wife, as the others had moved out to find work and raise their own families.
Diokno is a hardworking man who spends most of his days tending to his crops. He is a proud father who does his best to provide for his family, but life was not always easy for them. In 2018, Diokno began to experience hearing loss, making it challenging for him to communicate with others and tend to his farm.
The journey to Sinariri High School was a long and arduous one for Teacher Franjie and his students, but it was a sacrifice they were willing to make.
Sitio Sinariri is home to the Mangyan people, who have been living in the area for generations. The community is surrounded by lush vegetation and pristine streams, but its isolation has made it difficult for the people to access basic services such as education.
Despite the challenges of teaching in a remote area, Franjie was determined to help the Mangyan children receive an education. For several years, their classroom was an old church, but it was destroyed by a great storm.
The town mayor then provided makeshift rooms for grade 7 and 8 students, but they were worried about the higher grade levels. Franjie and the community then came up with a plan to divide the room to accommodate the grade 9 and 10 students. However, it was still not enough, and the students were struggling to learn in the limited space.
“Good thing Operation Blessing offered to help,” the 27-year-old teacher said. “They constructed classrooms for students in grades 9 and 10, which provided them with a safe and conducive environment to learn. Students are now excited to study and are determined to walk for hours just to be educated.”
In addition to constructing the classrooms, Operation Blessing, together with its military partners, also visits the community on a monthly basis and provides school supplies such as paper, pens, notebooks, and armchairs for the students. These supplies have had a significant impact on the education of the Mangyan children, who now have access to the tools they need to learn and succeed.
All in all, the teachers, parents, and students in the community of Sitio Sinariri are thrilled with the assistance that Operation Blessing has provided.
“As a teacher, it gives me immense joy to see my students having the drive to study again. I am grateful for Operation Blessing’s support and dedication to improving the lives of the Mangyan people here in Sinariri.”
After almost 8 years of tireless effort in providing assistance to survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, Operation Blessing (OB) finally turns over the deed of donation to the families of Community of Hope (COH).
“Three days after the Yolanda disaster, OB was already here, providing help for the typhoon survivors. And they went to the next level by constructing this beautiful place, promoting different recreational activities for the people of Tacloban,” said Ruth Ramirez, a representative from the City Mayor Office.
As part of the exit plan of Operation Blessing, the beneficiaries of the project were provided with not just a home but also with livelihood assistance to help them become self-sufficient. This will allow them to live independently and continue to improve their lives with the assistance that they have received from OB.
“You are all part of our family,” OB President Peter Kairuz remarked. “So we will keep on coming back to this community. We will journey with you. We will stay with you.”
OB’s Corporate Communications and Resource Development Department Head Gigi Endaya also expressed her gratitude to the donors and partners who made the resettlement project a success. “We are blessed in the past 8 years that we have journeyed together in joyous moments and even in conflicts and challenges. OB will just be there in the background, to continue praying for each of the families.”
The turnover ceremony was a momentous event for the beneficiaries of the project. It marks a new chapter in their lives as they continue to rebuild and recover from the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.
This has also been an answered prayer for the beneficiaries because, after years of facilitating the transfer of land ownership, OB was able to secure it last year, which is just in time for the electrification and the construction of paved roads for the community.
You may send your donations through Maya and GCash
For cash donations, you can give through any of the following bank accounts with the Account Name: Operation Blessing Foundation Phils, Inc.
BDO: 0030000-55279
BPI: 003001-0040-33
METROBANK: 270-3-27050273-4
UNIONBANK: 00-216-072163-9
We’d LOVE if you would LIKE us!
Check out the official pages of Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, Inc. at:
For more information, you may also contact these numbers: Manila Office (0918-906-7753 | 0939-9215543 | 09985511990) Davao Office (09985954938) or visit www.operationblessing.ph
DSWD Permit:
DSWD-SB-SP-00017-2023-Nationwide. Valid until March 31, 2024.
