Dr. Tiger Garrido: Finding Joy in Giving

As a doctor, Tiger Garrido is used to helping people and saving lives. His many years as an orthopedic surgeon have allowed him to see clearly how care and compassion can go a long way to ease the pain and discomfort of those suffering.

So when typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) struck certain parts of the country in November, Tiger knew he had to extend a lending hand. “It all started when I was watching the news with my best friend. And we both thought, ‘We have to do something’,” shares Tiger, who was invited by some friends to come over to Tacloban to personally help the victims of the super typhoon. “I readily said yes.”

Tiger would soon find out the road to Tacloban was not an easy one, literally and figuratively. Security reasons prevented the group from reaching the area. But Tiger was not discouraged.

“What I did next was so simple. I posted on my Facebook page, asking people to pledge help in whatever way they can. I didn’t expect that many of them felt the same urge I did. It’s amazing because in a day and a half, the amount of cash donations got bigger. And because I’m working in a hospital, I was able to donate medicines as well,” he recalls.

The overwhelming response from friends proved to Tiger even more that he should continue with the mission to help. One of the many friends who extended help was Ginger Diaz, studio director of Bikram Yoga Alabang (BYA).

“When I learned about Tiger’s initiative, I knew exactly what I needed to do,” says Tiger Ginger, who is Tiger’s instructor in Bikram yoga. Led by Ginger, BYA organized the “BYA Shares the Love this Christmas” sale. Proceeds of the sales were donated to the victims of typhoon Yolanda. “We believe in the cause and we support our students in all their undertakings especially the ones we know will make a huge difference.”

“BYA gave everything they earned during the sale. I was more than grateful to be trusted that much,” says Tiger Garrido.

With the support of Alphaland in the transport of boxes of medicines and help from various volunteers, Tiger and his group were able to set up medical missions in Tacloban and parts of eastern Samar, particularly in Guiuan.

A scene in Tacloban struck a chord in Tiger’s heart. “When we arrived in Tacloban, we saw all these different groups who were also helping. Later, I learned that at first, they did not really know each other but sort of came together for one common cause.”

Tiger says, “This experience helped me discover a lot of things about myself. I learned that there is joy in giving. And that giving becomes even more meaningful when you know there are people who support you and believe in you.”