December 16, 2023
How Tzu Chi scholars celebrate Christmas
By Joy Rojas
There’s no denying the holidays are here, and Tzu Chi Philippines marks the season of giving and receiving with special Christmas activities for scholars in its different chapters.
In Manila, Tzu Chi’s college-level scholars pulled out all the stops in a Christmas Carol Contest held after Humanity class on December 10 at the Jing Si Auditorium of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Scholars representing Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Philippine Normal University (PNU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), Universidad de Manila (UDM), University of the Philippines (UP), and Tzu Chi’s Technical-Vocational Program sported Christmas-themed costumes as they sang, danced, and acted to the delight of the crowd and judges.
Scholars from UP won P2,000 for their third-place finish, TUP carolers took home P3,000 for landing in second place, and overall winner PNU bagged P4,000. PLM, PUP, UDM, and Tzu Chi’s Tech-Voc scholars received P1,000 for their performances.
At Tzu Chi Davao, Christmas wasn’t the only reason to celebrate. Three weeks after the awarding of scholarships to 35 pioneer scholars, the chapter hosted its first-ever Humanity class, a lecture that covered the history of Tzu Chi and its unique etiquette.
Volunteers then threw a thanksgiving party that included lively games and the distribution of Noche Buena packs containing 20 kilos of rice, spaghetti pasta, fruit cocktail, condensed milk, all-purpose cream, a tumbler, and a book set of Jing Si aphorisms to each of the scholars.
In gratitude, Tzu Chi volunteers led by Tzu Chi Davao OIC Nelson Chua presented Philippines Sakya Academy, venue of the Humanity class, with a 36-book set of Jing Si aphorisms. School principal Nikkolo Paulo Atabelo was on hand to receive the books.
In Pampanga, sacks of 10-kg rice and bags containing snacks, school supplies, socks, jogging pants, and other essentials were distributed to 27 scholars.
Noodles, spring rolls, and other vegetarian treats were served to 44 scholars and other special guests at Tzu Chi Bicol’s Christmas party. While students took home sacks of rice and bags filled with ingredients for fruit cocktail, spaghetti, various foodstuff, and kitchenware, some lucky participants ended up with prizes from a fun-filled raffle and singing contest.
On December 2, Tzu Chi volunteers played Santa to 42 Iloilo scholars. Through home visits that took them to the outskirts of the city, they distributed 20-kg rice, noodles, spaghetti sauce, jogging pants, and school supplies to the scholars and their families.
Sacks of rice and bags of assorted groceries were also distributed to Tzu Chi Zamboanga scholars after a Humanity class featuring resource persons SHS Guidance Counselor Jeina Lynne Nambli, RPM, and SHS Guidance Coordinator/Counselor Pia Ericka Arquiza.
As for the 31 scholars in Palo, Leyte, a bountiful Christmas is what they look forward to. The distribution of groceries is scheduled for December 23.
Tzu Chi scholars from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) at the Christmas Carol Contest 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) at the Christmas Carol Contest 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) at the Christmas Carol Contest 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the Philippine Normal University (PNU) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the Philippine Normal University (PNU) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the Philippine Normal University (PNU) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from Universidad de Manila (UDM) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from Universidad de Manila (UDM) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from Universidad de Manila (UDM) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the University of the Philippines (UP) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the University of the Philippines (UP) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from the University of the Philippines (UP) at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from Tzu Chi’s Technical-Vocational Program at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from Tzu Chi’s Technical-Vocational Program at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi scholars from Tzu Chi’s Technical-Vocational Program at the Christmas Carol Contest【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Christmas Carol Contest judges tally participants’ scores. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
UP carolers win P2,000 for their third-place finish. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
TUP scholars take home P3,000 for landing in second place. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
PNU scholars win the grand prize of P4,000. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi Pampanga scholars attend a Humanity class livestreamed from Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Pampanga】
Tzu Chi Pampanga scholars attend a Humanity class livestreamed from Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Pampanga】
Tzu Chi Pampanga scholars each took home a bag of giveaways prepared by Tzu Chi volunteers. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Pampanga】
Tzu Chi Pampanga scholars each took home a bag of giveaways prepared by Tzu Chi volunteers. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Pampanga】
Tzu Chi scholars in Palo, Leyte watch a Humanity class livestreamed from Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Palo】
Generous bags of goodies were handed to Tzu Chi Bicol scholars at a Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
Generous bags of goodies were handed to Tzu Chi Bicol scholars at a Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
Generous bags of goodies were handed to Tzu Chi Bicol scholars at a Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
Tzu Chi Bicol scholars have their fill of noodles, spring roll, and other vegetarian treats at a Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
Tzu Chi Bicol scholars have their fill of noodles, spring roll, and other vegetarian treats at a Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteer Antonio “Tony” Tan hands out special prizes to raffle and contest winners at Tzu Chi Bicol’s Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteer Antonio “Tony” Tan hands out special prizes to raffle and contest winners at Tzu Chi Bicol’s Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteer Antonio “Tony” Tan hands out special prizes to raffle and contest winners at Tzu Chi Bicol’s Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteer Antonio “Tony” Tan hands out special prizes to raffle and contest winners at Tzu Chi Bicol’s Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteer Antonio “Tony” Tan hands out special prizes to raffle and contest winners at Tzu Chi Bicol’s Christmas party. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Bicol】
In Tzu Chi Davao, the first-ever Humanity class was attended by the chapter’s 35 pioneer scholars and their parents. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
In Tzu Chi Davao, the first-ever Humanity class was attended by the chapter’s 35 pioneer scholars and their parents. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
In Tzu Chi Davao, the first-ever Humanity class was attended by the chapter’s 35 pioneer scholars and their parents. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Tzu Chi Davao scholars each took home a Christmas gift. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Cake and drinks were served to the scholars and their parents. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Cake and drinks were served to the scholars and their parents. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Cake and drinks were served to the scholars and their parents. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Tzu Chi volunteers played Santa to 42 Iloilo scholars. Through home visits that took them to the outskirts of the city, they distributed 20-kg rice, noodles, spaghetti sauce, jogging pants, and school supplies to the scholars and their families. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Iloilo】
Tzu Chi volunteers played Santa to 42 Iloilo scholars. Through home visits that took them to the outskirts of the city, they distributed 20-kg rice, noodles, spaghetti sauce, jogging pants, and school supplies to the scholars and their families. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Iloilo】
Tzu Chi volunteers played Santa to 42 Iloilo scholars. Through home visits that took them to the outskirts of the city, they distributed 20-kg rice, noodles, spaghetti sauce, jogging pants, and school supplies to the scholars and their families. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Iloilo】
Tzu Chi volunteers played Santa to 42 Iloilo scholars. Through home visits that took them to the outskirts of the city, they distributed 20-kg rice, noodles, spaghetti sauce, jogging pants, and school supplies to the scholars and their families. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Iloilo】
Tzu Chi volunteers played Santa to 42 Iloilo scholars. Through home visits that took them to the outskirts of the city, they distributed 20-kg rice, noodles, spaghetti sauce, jogging pants, and school supplies to the scholars and their families. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Iloilo】
Tzu Chi volunteers played Santa to 42 Iloilo scholars. Through home visits that took them to the outskirts of the city, they distributed 20-kg rice, noodles, spaghetti sauce, jogging pants, and school supplies to the scholars and their families. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Iloilo】
Tzu Chi volunteers played Santa to 42 Iloilo scholars. Through home visits that took them to the outskirts of the city, they distributed 20-kg rice, noodles, spaghetti sauce, jogging pants, and school supplies to the scholars and their families. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Iloilo】
In Tzu Chi Zamboanga, a Humanity class with guest speakers SHS Guidance Counselor Jeina Lynne Nambli, RPM, and SHS Guidance Coordinator/Counselor Pia Ericka Arquiza ended with the distribution of rice and grocery items for each of the scholars. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Zamboanga】
In Tzu Chi Zamboanga, a Humanity class with guest speakers SHS Guidance Counselor Jeina Lynne Nambli, RPM, and SHS Guidance Coordinator/Counselor Pia Ericka Arquiza ended with the distribution of rice and grocery items for each of the scholars. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Zamboanga】
In Tzu Chi Zamboanga, a Humanity class with guest speakers SHS Guidance Counselor Jeina Lynne Nambli, RPM, and SHS Guidance Coordinator/Counselor Pia Ericka Arquiza ended with the distribution of rice and grocery items for each of the scholars. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Zamboanga】