(left to right) Roman and Annabile Yanesa standing in the middle of the rubble after a fire burned their house to the ground (February 2026)
On February 2, 2026, a devastating fire tore through the town of Labo, Camarines Norte, Philippines, turning a 75-year-old piece of family history into ashes. In a matter of hours, the ancestral home of the Derez clan burned to the ground, and the lives of my cousin, Roman Yanesa, and his wife, Annabile, were changed forever.
Beyond losing their shelter and all of their personal belongings, the fire struck a brutal blow to their livelihood. Roman and Annabile raised backyard pigs as their main source of income, which they sold at their market stall in the nearby public market. With the tragic loss of their livestock, they completely lost their ability to support themselves.
A Clan Unites: Smashed Goals and Incredible Generosity
Seeing the desperation of their situation, I launched a GoFundMe campaign on February 25, 2026, to help them get back on their feet. I kickstarted the fund with a personal donation of a few hundred dollars, hoping to raise a modest amount so they could at least replace some of their livestock.
By March 19, 2026, I was deeply moved and pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response. Our incredible network of friends and extended family—especially across the United States and Canada—rallied together with immense love. In the end, the campaign far exceeded expectations, raising close to $1,600 (nearly ₱90,000 PHP)! It was a massive, life-changing boost for them.
A Miracle in Motion: Three Months Later
(left to right): Roman Yanesa, Dale Asis, and Annabile Yanesa in their newly rebuilt living room space (April 2026)
On April 24, 2026, exactly three months after that tragic night, I traveled to Labo to visit Roman and Annabile and check on their progress. I was absolutely amazed by what I saw. The collective generosity of everyone who contributed has made a profoundly tangible impact.
Using the funds, they have successfully remodeled the front of their home. Standing there, I couldn’t help but admire the shiny new floor of their newly constructed living room space—a beautiful symbol of a fresh start. True to their resilient nature, they also poured the majority of the donations directly back into their business, buying new pigs to aggressively rebuild their livestock farm.
Standing in front of the partial rebuild, an emotional Roman shared this heartfelt message of gratitude:
“My wife and I are deeply grateful for the help you have given. Because of this, we will be able to sell pork again, which is our livelihood, and we can rebuild our grandmother’s house. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
The Power of Community: Every Penny Counted
(left to right): Dale Asis, Annabile Yanesa, and Roman Yanesa standing in their new front door as they rebuild after the fire (April 2026)
This journey is a powerful testament to the fact that every single penny counts. What might have seemed like a small donation in the US or Canada was instantly transformed into bricks, concrete, roofing, and livestock feed on the ground in the Philippines. You didn’t just give them a handout; you gave them their dignity, their livelihood, and their family history back.
To every cousin, relative, friend, and kind soul who chipped in, shared the link, or kept them in your prayers: Maraming, maraming salamat po! Your kindness has literally rewritten the ending to a tragedy, and our family will never forget your generosity.
