October 27, 2025
Sharing, caring for the environment at Tzu Chi preschool Halloween
By Joy Rojas
Celebrating Halloween indoors didn’t spoil the fun for Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines’ costumed kiddie students, who picked up valuable lessons while trick-or-treating with their parents at the Harmony Hall of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus, Sta. Mesa, Manila, in the afternoon of October 24.
To promote the Tzu Chi virtues of environmental protection, sustainability, and family togetherness, parents and their preschoolers broke into five groups and adorned their stations and costumes with details depicting their chosen theme.
In “Caring Garden,” parents dressed as gardeners who nurtured their kids in plant-inspired outfits. “Board Games,” a wholesome way to bond, saw families sporting chess, Monopoly, and Snakes and Ladders motifs. “Under the Sea” and “Safari” themes were a nod to Tzu Chi’s compassion for all sentient beings. And in “Superheroes,” kids and parents showed up in popular Marvel and DC comics characters.
Tzu Chi volunteers went around each station, scoring them and the families’ costumes based on creativity and upcycling resourcefulness.
At the program proper, preschoolers and their parents took turns posing on the catwalk for photographers and supportive classmates and staff.
Then the teachers took to the stage. Dressed as characters from the beloved animated movie Toy Story, they performed a skit that highlighted the value of sharing, then imparted this lesson through an activity that involved young audience participation.
“More than celebrating Halloween, we believe this is a perfect opportunity to teach the values of kindness, generosity, and caring for the community, as we delve into our theme this year: Sharing and Caring for Mother Earth,” says Jane Sy, directress of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines. “Personally, I believe this is a reminder as a teacher and citizen of the world to do our part in protecting the environment by recycling, repurposing, and upcycling in our daily lives.”
Awards for Most Creative Costumes were presented to Demi Chen, Alonso de Castro, and Xiwei Chen, while the Sy Family, Maiquilla Family, and Go Family were recognized with the Best Family Costume Award. The Costume Crew Champions went to “Ocean Helpers,” and families who brought “Caring Garden,” “Safari,” and “Under the Sea” to life each received the award for Green Guardians of the World.
The families behind the “Caring Garden” station.
The families behind the “Board Games” station
These families chose a “Save the Oceans” theme.
Parents and their kids dress as their favorite Marvel and DC comics characters in the “Superheroes” station.
A “Safari” theme is it for these families.
Tzu Chi volunteers (left) visit each station and grade them according to creativity and resourcefulness.
Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines teachers and staff perform a skit dressed as characters from Toy Story.
Teacher Yani (left) and Teacher Tin host the indoor Halloween event.
Many parents use recycled materials to create costumes for their kids.
Many parents use recycled materials to create costumes for their kids.
Many parents use recycled materials to create costumes for their kids.
Many parents use recycled materials to create costumes for their kids.
Many parents use recycled materials to create costumes for their kids.
Many parents use recycled materials to create costumes for their kids.
Many parents use recycled materials to create costumes for their kids.
Superhero costumes are popular among kids.
Superhero costumes are popular among kids.
Parents enjoy matching their outfits with their children’s costumes.
Animal costumes are also a favorite motif.
Animal costumes are also a favorite motif.
Animal costumes are also a favorite motif.
Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines teachers encourage students to participate in an activity that promotes sharing.
For Arabella Nicole Monterola, learning assistant for support of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines, the Halloween event isn’t just about getting treats. “It’s about establishing meaningful connections,” she says.
Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines Directress Jane Sy thanks parents to taking time to participate in their kids’ Halloween program.
Preschoolers receive their award—a chocolate medal—from Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines Directress Jane Sy.