December 17, 2025
Tzu Chi celebrates learning and giving with its 5th Humanities Class and 4th Charity Day
By Thania Florendo
Gratitude and joy filled Jing Si Hall at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, as Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines held its fifth Humanities Class and fourth Charity Day on December 14, bringing together medical assistance beneficiaries, newly awarded scholars, and scholar alumni who graduated with Latin honors. The gathering reflected Tzu Chi’s continuing commitment to nurturing academic excellence anchored in compassion and service.
Centered on the theme of filial piety, the Humanities Class encouraged scholars to reflect on their parents’ sacrifices and unconditional love, reinforcing the foundation’s emphasis on education guided by humanistic values. The program also formally welcomed 40 new scholars from new partner schools—Quezon City University, University of Caloocan City, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina—who joined Tzu Chi’s growing community of 280 scholars.
Among the newly awarded scholars was Jillian Padero, a 20-year-old marketing management student from the University of Caloocan City, whose scholarship coincided with her birthday. Coming from a family of two siblings, with a father working as a tricycle driver and a mother who stays at home, Padero shared that financial limitations often made her hesitant to ask for school support. This made the Tzu Chi scholarship especially meaningful.
“Being awarded as a Tzu Chi scholar on my birthday felt like a gift of hope. I am thankful because I no longer have to worry so much about finances, and I am inspired to give back, just as the foundation has helped me,” Padero said.
The program also honored 36 members of the Scholar Alumni Batch 2025 who graduated with Latin honors, including Aaron Kyle Genares, a magna cum laude graduate of Bachelor in Social Science Education from the Philippine Normal University (PNU). Motivated to become the first college graduate in his family, Genares persevered despite academic challenges and financial uncertainty brought by his father’s retirement.
“Tzu Chi supported me holistically—financially, mentally, and emotionally,” Genares shared. “It taught me that success is not just about grades, but about using what we receive to serve others. Looking ahead, I plan to take the Board Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers in March 2026.”
The celebration concluded with a Christmas carol competition featuring scholars from Tzu Chi’s partner universities (PNU, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and Universidad de Manila), and scholars from Tzu Chi Davao, Palo, Pampanga, and Zamboanga. Singing with unity despite distance and academic demands, Zamboanga scholars emerged as first-place winners, followed by PUP and Pampanga scholars.
“Through our song, we wanted to remind everyone that whatever the problems we face, family remains our home, and in Tzu Chi, we are one family that teaches us love, balance, and the value of helping others in even the smallest ways,” said Tzu Chi Zamboanga scholars in a statement.
Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So noted that this was the first time provincial liaison offices joined the Christmas celebration, through livestreamed and recorded performances.
“We congratulate the provinces, especially Zamboanga and Pampanga, for winning the contest. I hope the scholars will have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year, and I hope that with the support of the Tzu Chi Foundation, it will help them in every way,” she noted.
After the program, scholars lined up to receive an electric fan, bowls, 20 kg of rice, and a Noche Buena package. At the same time, medical beneficiaries were given 20 kg of rice, medicines, groceries, and daily necessities such as body wash, conditioner, and shampoo, highlighting Tzu Chi’s care for both educational and household needs. These distributions were made possible through the generous support of sponsors.
Through the fifth Humanities Class, Tzu Chi once again affirmed its mission of forming individuals who excel academically while remaining deeply rooted in compassion, gratitude, and service—values the scholars carry back to their schools, families, and communities.
Scholars, volunteers, medical beneficiaries, and scholar alumni gather at Jing Si Hall for the fifth Humanities Class and fourth Charity Day of the Tzu Chi Foundation.
Juniel Rey Gigaquit, a youth leader in his hometown of Butuan City, Caraga, shares his experience as the winner of Tzu Chi’s International Youth Leadership Program.
Newly awarded scholars listen attentively as they are introduced to the teachings and values of the Tzu Chi Foundation.
Jillian Padeo, a newly awarded scholar from the University of Caloocan City (with braided hair), listens attentively as she learns more about the Tzu Chi way of giving back.
Tzu Chi volunteer Lino Sy (left) and Edward So discuss filial piety, emphasizing parents’ love for their children.
Tzu Chi scholar Angelica Guballo shares her thoughts on expressing gratitude and care for parents through simple, everyday actions.
Mark Vincent Dayang, a Tzu Chi scholar alumnus, shares his personal story of breakdown and breakthrough, inspiring others and spreading hope.
Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So (right, foreground) distributes gifts to December celebrants.
Scholars from PNU take the stage with a festive performance.
Scholars from PUP energized the crowd with their confident performance, which bagged them second place.
Universidad de Manila scholars delighted the crowd with a heartwarming serenade.
Universidad de Manila scholars delighted the crowd with a heartwarming serenade.
Medical assistance beneficiaries offered heartfelt prayers as they navigated various medical challenges.
Aaron Kyle Genares (center), a scholar alumnus, is awarded a cash incentive and recognition by a Taiwanese volunteer (left) and Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (right), for graduating magna cum laude from the Philippine Normal University.
Scholar alumni Batch 2025 with Latin Honors pose as they are recognized and rewarded for their dedication and celebrate their achievements.
Taiwanese volunteers join Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (second from left), Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So, and Tzu Chi volunteer Jinny Ong (fourth and fifth from left) in awarding scholars who graduated with Latin honors.
A medical beneficiary carries 20 kg of rice along with other grocery items, ready to take them home after the event.
After sharing lunch, new Tzu Chi scholars lined up to receive grocery items, including 20 kg of rice, other essentials, and an electric fan.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga scholars celebrate their first-place win in the Christmas carol contest, impressing the crowd with their polished debut performance.