15/08/2026
Our Tatay Dios: A Life of Love, Joy, Compassion, and Service 🤍🕊️
Tatay Jesus, whom we lovingly called Tatay Dios, came into our lives at a time when he needed care and a place to stay.
Tatay had been admitted to Tacloban City Hospital last April 2026. After he was discharged, he came to our center through a missionary who approached our president. A home had been promised for Tatay, and we initially thought our role was simply to care for him temporarily while that home was being prepared.
But as the days passed, the promised home did not come to pass. Instead, God allowed Tatay to remain with us, and what was meant to be temporary became a precious season of family, love, and belonging.
Tatay was also admitted to the hospital again in June. After his discharge, he returned to our center, where we continued to welcome and care for him.
In total, Tatay stayed with us for almost four months.
During those months, something beautiful happened.
What was supposed to be a temporary place to stay became a place where Tatay found family.
Tatay stayed with us freely. The missionary initially supported his food for about a month, but eventually that support stopped. Still, Tatay remained with us. By then, he had already become part of our community.
Although what we were able to provide for Tatay was only what we could manage, sometimes just a little help, we gave it with love. We may not have had everything to give, but we gave what we could—food, a place to stay, companionship, and most importantly, the assurance that he was not alone.
And perhaps Tatay didn't need much. What touched him most was not how much we could give, but that there were people willing to share what they had with him and welcome him as family.
One thing Tatay shared with us touched our hearts deeply. He said that it was his first time in a very long time to enjoy eating with many people, just like a family.
For some people, eating together may seem like an ordinary thing.
But for Tatay, it meant belonging.
It meant having people around him.
It meant having a place where he was welcomed.
It meant having a family.
An 82-Year-Old Who Still Wanted to Try Everything…
One of the things we will always remember about Tatay was his childlike joy and adventurous spirit.
Tatay was 82 years old, but sometimes, he seemed to forget his age. 😂
He wanted to try everything.
When we went swimming, Tatay wanted to swim too! He didn't want to simply sit and watch the younger ones. He wanted to experience it with us.
When we went to the farm, Tatay wanted to come along. He wanted to see what we were doing and be part of the experience.
And Tatay was funny. His presence brought laughter and joy to our group.
He reminded us that life is not only about the difficult things we go through. There is still joy in the simple moments—going somewhere together, eating together, laughing together, serving together, and simply being with people.
At 82, Tatay still had a heart that said: “I want to try.”
And perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons he left us.
Don't let your age stop you from living.
Don't let your circumstances stop you from finding joy.
Don't be afraid to laugh, explore, serve, and make memories with people you love.
Even at 82 years old, Tatay loved serving other people. Every Wednesday, he faithfully helped at our Food Pantry, serving alongside the volunteers and welcoming the people who came.
Every Friday, he joined our outreach in Downtown Tacloban, helping our homeless brothers and sisters.
He never thought that because he was already 82, he could no longer serve.
He simply wanted to help.
But beyond his service, what we will remember most about Tatay was his heart.
He was caring.
He was compassionate.
He was gentle.
Tatay could not bear hearing people hurt one another. Whenever he heard someone saying hurtful things to another person, it hurt him too.
He had a heart that deeply felt the pain of others.
He wanted people to be kind to one another. He didn't want anyone to be hurt by harsh words.
That was Tatay.
A man who cared deeply.
A man who wanted to serve.
A man who still wanted to experience life. A man who found joy in being with people.
Somewhere during those almost four months, something changed.
Tatay was no longer simply someone staying at our center.
The volunteers and the RLM team found a father in him, and Tatay found children in us. He became our Tatay not because of blood, but because of the love we shared.
He ate with us.
He served with us.
He laughed with us.
He went swimming with us.
He went to the farm with us.
He became part of our everyday lives.
And in return, we wanted to care for him, protect him, and make sure he knew that he was not alone.
We thought we were giving Tatay a place to stay, but God gave us something much greater. He gave us a father.
Perhaps Tatay came to us looking for a place to call home, but God allowed him to discover that home is not always a building.
Sometimes, home is found in people who choose to love you.
The house that was once hoped for may not have become his home, but during his final months, God built something far more precious—a family.
Tatay found his children.
And we found our Tatay.
Today, our hearts are broken because we have lost someone who became so dear to us.
But we are also grateful.
Grateful for the almost four months God allowed us to spend with Tatay.
Grateful for every meal we shared.
Every Wednesday at the Food Pantry.
Every Friday outreach.
Every trip to the farm.
Every swim.
Every laugh.
Every conversation.
Every simple moment.
Thank you, Tatay Dios, for allowing us to be part of your story.
Thank you for your caring heart.
Thank you for your compassion.
Thank you for serving even at 82.
Thank you for making us laugh.
Thank you for reminding us that life is still worth enjoying, no matter our age or circumstances.
Our help may have been small, but we pray that Tatay felt the love behind every little thing we did. We may not have been able to give him everything he needed, but God allowed us to give him something precious during his final months—a place where he belonged and people he could call family.
You came to us needing a temporary home, but you left us with something that will remain forever—a place in our hearts.
You may have stayed with us for almost four months, but the love you gave us will stay much longer.
You were not just a man who stayed at our center. You became our Tatay. And we became your family.
Rest now, Tatay. Your earthly journey is finished. May you rest peacefully in the presence of our Lord. We will miss you!!
Until we meet again, our Tatay. 🤍🕊️
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23
