September 12, 2025
Preschoolers, grandparents match outfits for Grandparents’ Day
By Dorothy Castro
It was a bright and colorful day of matching outfits, heartfelt surprises, and lively games for preschoolers and their grandparents as Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines hosted Grandparents’ Day on September 12 at the Jing Si Hall of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The occasion served as a wonderful start to the school year. Preschool officials welcomed new students, parents, and grandparents and helped them get acquainted with one another.
The highlight of the event was a delightful runway show, with a very sweet surprise: Young ones prepared handmade greeting cards for their grandparents, which they handed out as they reached the catwalk for a memorable photo.
Laughter filled the hall throughout the program. Grandparent Cristina Ong enjoyed the team games, particularly the egg carton pingpong ball game. Win or lose, it was the perfect moment to bond with her granddaughter, Aleksia Alezandra, whom she fondly calls AA.
“Actually, I've never experienced such a great celebration, with plenty of games, and also an award ceremony. I thought we would only be chatting, but there were several games for us to enjoy,” said Ong, who kept a grateful smile throughout the program.
But beyond the conversations and friendly competition was a reminder of one’s love for grandparents. Many “I love yous” and “Thank you, Grandma, Grandpa!” echoed in the hall, after a touching video prepared by the preschoolers and their teachers was shown.
Children thanked them for many reasons, big and small. Some were grateful for the food and toys, while some expressed how happy they were to have their grandparents with them in their milestones.
“We say that filial piety is the root of all goodness; when students learn how to be filial, they learn to be grateful. And when they learn to be grateful, they respect and love other people,” said Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines Directress Jane Sy during her welcoming remarks.
Filial piety, at the heart of Dharma Master’s teachings, was seen in these small yet meaningful gestures from the young ones. The Jing Si aphorism that inspired this gathering was a reminder for the preschoolers to “Be grateful always for everything and everyone, at every moment.”
For pre-kinder lead teacher Nadinne Galano, this value was very easy to teach her students. To each child, love shared with their grandparents was innate. “Even if the grandparents lived far away, they made sure to make time for their grandkids,” she said with appreciation.
Tzu Chi Deputy CEO Woon Ng held the same sentiment, warmly thinking of the grandparents’ guidance that brought everyone together. She highlighted the role of grandparents as the light of every family, serving as role models for the younger generations.
“We should not only be grateful to them today, but we should also be grateful to them tomorrow. They are a part of our family, and their love and guidance are an eternal gift. Let us remember to cherish them not just today, but every day,” said Ng.
On September 12, Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines had its annual Grandparents’ Day event at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Grandparents appreciate their special photos at the preschool’s photo exhibit.
Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines Directress Jane Sy warmly greets grandparents and thanks them for being there for their grandchildren, grateful for their guidance and support towards the young students.
In a fun icebreaker game, grandparents lined up based on different characteristics: height, birthday, number of grandchildren, and age.
Tzu Chi volunteers Lino Sy and Jessica Qiu host the event.
Preschoolers prepare a heartfelt performance to the song “Blessed to Have You.”
Preschool teachers and students do a fun “Freeze Dance” game, to the delight of the audience.
Teacher Nadinne Galano dances with the students.
A student gives a cute heart gesture to the audience.
Amidst the fun games, a grandfather shares a smile with his granddaughter.
A family strikes a cute pose during the catwalk portion of the event.
Grandparents match outfits with the young ones.
A grandmother happily shows off the handmade gift she received from her granddaughter.
Student Aleksia Alezandra Ong holds her grandparents’ hands while they walk down the runway.
This grandfather-granddaughter duo happily take part in the egg carton pingpong game.
A grandmother happily encourages her grandson to play the egg carton pingpong ball game.
Win or lose at the egg carton pingpong ball game, grandparents treasure this joyful moment.
Laughter could be heard across the Jing Si Hall as children and their grandparents enjoyed a game of balloon volleyball.
A young preschooler catches the balloon volleyball.
For Tzu Chi Deputy CEO Woon Ng, the gift of grandparents is one that we must cherish daily, especially for the guidance and wisdom they give to the young ones.
Group Four celebrates its win as the day’s “Grandest Team of All.”
Everyone joins in on a lovely group photo after celebrating Grandparents’ Day.