https://www.facebook.com/709594208903151/

Tzu Chi Cebu, 1058 Hernan Cortes Street, Mandaue, Cebu (2026)

26/08/2026

𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞: 𝐆𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞

For Tzu Chi volunteers, supporting students extends beyond reviewing applications. It means taking the time to meet them where they are - walking steep paths, navigating slippery roads, and braving the heat and sudden rain. Each journey is undertaken with one purpose: to reach the students, understand their circumstances, and give them a chance to pursue their dreams of education.

As part of Tzu Chi Cebu’s Educational Assistance Program for Academic Year 2026–2027, volunteers visited 11 applicants in Pulpogan, Consolacion on July 24, followed by 23 applicants in Catmon on July 30 and 31.

The home visits brought the volunteers through steep pathways, mountainous roads, grassy areas, and uneven trails. At times, the heat was intense; at other times, sudden rain made the roads slippery and difficult to navigate.

For volunteer Genevieve Chu, the experience gave her a deeper appreciation of the students’ daily struggles. “We had a hard time going to some of the houses because they were in steep areas, and we had to walk up,” she shared. “Then I thought, if we’re already having a hard time with this, how much more will the students who live there? This is their daily route.”

Volunteer Lea Chiong vividly recalled one of the steep climbs: “Muabot ang tuhod sa tiyan, pero padayon lang gihapon.” The road was so steep that their knees could almost reach their stomachs as they climbed, yet they continued onward, determined to reach the student’s home.

During a Catmon home visit, volunteer Jessa Ordesta experienced the difficult terrain firsthand. One route to an applicant’s home could become flooded during heavy rain, while the alternative was a steep and slippery mountainous road.

Her experience in Pulpogan, meanwhile, brought her closer to another student’s story. Living with her grandparents because her parents could not be with her, the applicant continued to work hard and remained determined to finish college. Jessa admired her perseverance despite the circumstances.

For newly graduated scholar and volunteer Gwen Loyao, the home visits were a reminder of what it means to serve. “Be comfortable being uncomfortable.”

The team once tried to locate a student living in a remote mountainous area, but poor signal made it impossible to find her home. They eventually connected with the student, who came down the mountain to meet them and guide them to her home.
For Gwen, having many volunteers made the difficult journey more bearable. They helped one another through the terrain, all sharing the same purpose: to reach the applicant and give her an opportunity to pursue her education.

The journey was also an emotional one. Volunteer Annabelle Luy shared: “When the student became emotional while sharing her situation, I couldn’t hold back my own tears.”

Lea expressed the same sentiment: “Maghuot ato dughan lagi oi,” she said, expressing how deeply the students’ stories touched her.
Behind the 34 applications were 34 different stories of challenges, perseverance, and hope.

Among the Catmon applicants was 28-year-old Sharmaine Gayle Densing, who had once been forced to put her education on hold to help support her family. With her brother imprisoned, her father ill, and both parents unemployed, she entered the workforce instead of continuing her studies. “Despite my strong desire [to study], I was unable to pursue it because my mother wanted me to work first to help support the family,” Sharmaine shared.

Years later, she found the courage to return to school despite her fear of being teased for her age. “Eventually, I thought about trying to go back to school, but I was afraid that people might laugh at me or tease me for being too old. Still, I decided to pursue my studies.”
Today, Sharmaine is determined to finish what she started and eventually work again after graduation. “Time will come that I will work again, but it will be after graduation,” she said. “If before, my position is low, once I come back, I will be in a much higher position.”

In Pulpogan, the volunteers met Heart Castillo, the fifth of nine children. Despite her family’s financial difficulties, Heart consistently earned honors from Grade 9 onward and graduated from senior high school with flying colors. “My dream is to finish my education and become a successful professional in the future,” Heart shared. “I want to help my family, especially my parents, by easing their financial burden and giving them a better life.”

Sharmaine, Heart, and the other applicants each carry different circumstances, but their stories share a common determination: to continue learning, build a better future, and give back to their family who supported them in their journeys.

This is why Tzu Chi goes to such lengths to conduct home visits. It is more than assessing an application; it is about seeing, listening, understanding, and giving each student a fair chance.

Dharma Master Cheng Yen regarded education as “the hope of life.” For Tzu Chi volunteers, helping students pursue that hope means being willing to go where they are - even when the road is difficult.

Sometimes, giving a student a chance begins simply by being willing to walk the road to their home.

19/08/2026

𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞: 𝐓𝐳𝐮 𝐂𝐡𝐢 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

In a united front, Tzu Chi scholars and alumni from Catmon, Cebu City, Cebu Technological University, and Pulpogan came together on August 1 to transform industrial metal drums into vibrant symbols of environmental stewardship. The gathering brought together people from different communities, with current scholars and alumni working together side by side in support of a shared environmental cause.

Behind this collaborative effort was a spirit of quiet determination that turned the task into a true labor of love. Armed with brushes, the scholars carefully hand-painted eye-catching images and Jing Si Aphorisms onto the metal surfaces, transforming each bin into a daily source of inspiration and mindfulness for the community.

For Kristel Jane Zamora, a Tzu Chi scholar, perseverance, commitment, and trusting the process were not merely words on a motivational poster—they were principles she came to embody as she took hold of the brushes to breathe new life into the heavy drums.

“Patience and perseverance are necessary because the painting isn't perfect right away, especially on my part since I’m not really an artistic person,” shared Zamora. “Commitment is also crucial to really finish what was started.”

Staying true to the principles of mindfulness, Zamora incorporated motifs of nature into her paintings, sparking reflection on environmental stewardship and accountability.

“The grass will remind us how beautiful the greeneries are and how improper waste disposal can harm our natural surroundings,” she explained. “Meanwhile, the vines with leaves symbolize growth, cleanliness, and the deep connection between humans and nature, reminding us of our duty to protect the environment through proper waste disposal and keeping our surroundings clean.”

Beyond the artistic transformation, the activity served as a bridge for connection. Another Tzu Chi scholar, Jade Achilles Barenio, regarded the initiative as a meaningful way to build relationships with his fellow scholars.

“The experience was fun and also tiring at the same time,” Barenio shared. “One of the best parts wasn't just painting the drums but experiencing it with my fellow scholars—meeting them and getting to know them more deeply. We had fun and conversations that helped us better understand each other, and the joy completely outweighed the exhaustion.”

Upon choosing the Jing Si Aphorism they wanted to paint on the drums, Barenio found a meaningful reflection in Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s words: “True happiness is measured by love, and not one’s possession.”

For him, the quote captured the true essence of the day, as he reflected, “We cannot seek such emotions through obtainable objects, but rather through intangible and priceless moments.”

On August 13, Tzu Chi Cebu volunteers turned over the painted industrial drums to Barangays Cabadiangan and Mulao in Compostela. This initiative reinforced community-based environmental protection and proper waste management. Since the onslaught of Typhoon Tino in November last year, Tzu Chi Cebu has continued to engage with these communities, extending support beyond immediate relief by fostering ecological resilience alongside emotional and community healing.

Barangay Mulao Captain Fausto Yungco expressed his deep gratitude to the Tzu Chi Foundation for its continuous support to the community. The donation of the industrial drums came at an ideal time as the barangay had begun strengthening its waste recycling efforts.

Similarly, in Barangay Cabadiangan, where local clean-up drives have begun to flourish, the donated drums provided much-needed large-capacity bins that will greatly support their ongoing sanitation initiatives. Barangay Captain Nelia Cabatingan also expressed her profound gratitude to Tzu Chi for the continuous aid extended to their community.

Through these painted creations, the scholars hope that people will be inspired to use them properly and make mindful waste disposal a daily habit.

“People in the community would understand more on how important segregating their trash is,” Barenio added, highlighting the value of collective environmental responsibility.

Far more than simple waste containers, the drums carry the shared laughter of the scholars, the enduring wisdom of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, and a collective hope for a cleaner environment. Through art, patience, and deep reverence for the earth, this collaborative endeavor proves that true transformation begins not just in how we manage our waste, but in how we care for one another and the world we share.

14/08/2026

𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐳𝐮 𝐂𝐡𝐢 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐕𝐑𝐂 𝐈𝐈 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐬

“The only permanent thing in this world is change, so you have to be prepared,” an AVRC II client shared.

On July 29, Tzu Chi Cebu conducted its bimonthly values formation and feeding program at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) II. Drawing from a Master Tells A Story titled “The Black Rat and the White Rat,“ the session steered the conversation toward the impermanent nature of life. Through gentle guidance and shared stories, participants explored how accepting life's constant changes can transform anxiety into inner peace, resilience, and deep gratitude.

The message resonated deeply with the participants. Another AVRC II client reflected on the unpredictability of life, highlighting the impermanence of life and the importance of doing good and cherishing precious moments with their family while there is still time.

“We can never be certain how long our lives will last, as no one is exempt from the unexpected tragedies in this world. We don't know if our life will end today or tomorrow,” the client shared. “What truly matters is doing good to others. If you still have time, give it to your family, because we simply cannot predict when our journey will end.”

Central to these reflections are the enduring teachings of Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen, who often reminds of the precious urgency of time and purposeful action, emphasizing that “life is impermanent, society needs us, and while we are able to walk today, we must quickly take the first step.”

The session concluded with a simple vegetarian meal shared by the participants, with BPI’s Iwag PWD extending support for the day’s meal. The contribution complemented Tzu Chi Cebu’s ongoing values formation and feeding activities at AVRC II, which provide nourishment for both body and spirit.

The support was also rooted in BPI’s familiarity with Tzu Chi’s work at the center. Maximo Rey Eleccion, Vice President and Area Business Director of BPI Cebu South, shared that they had witnessed Tzu Chi’s outreach efforts on several occasions and had come to appreciate Tzu Chi’s commitment to serving the community.

“We are already very familiar with Tzu Chi because on several occasions we have seen their outreach and witnessed their generosity,” Eleccion shared ”Because we trust Tzu Chi, we know that their intentions are good. We believe in their program and in their volunteerism.”

Guided by compassion and the belief that every moment is an opportunity to do good, Tzu Chi Cebu continues to bring its values formation and feeding program to AVRC II, nurturing not only the physical well-being of the trainees but also their hearts and minds. BPI’s contribution toward the day’s meal offered support to this continuing effort, in keeping with the shared goal of uplifting persons with disabilities.

13/08/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐓𝐳𝐮 𝐂𝐡𝐢 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐕𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩

For Tzu Chi, a plant-based diet is far more than a dietary preference. It is a living expression of reverence for life - a conscious choice to protect sentient beings and honor the animals that share our world. At the same time, choosing more plant-based meals is a way of caring for Mother Nature. By helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve diminishing water supplies, and alleviate the heavy ecological burden of industrial livestock production, conscious eating becomes a meaningful way to heal a strained planet.

This core philosophy took center stage on July 26 as Tzu Chi Cebu hosted "Healthy Plates: A Vegetarian Cuisine Workshop," drawing a community of Tzu Chi volunteers and guests eager to learn plant-based culinary techniques and experience the deeper joy of mindful consumption.

Opening the workshop, Tzu Chi Cebu Officer-In-Charge Nelson Reyes urged attendees to look beyond the ingredients and grasp the deeper essence of the gathering.

"Healthy living equates to having compassion for all living beings," Reyes shared in his welcoming address, expressing hope that the workshop would spark a broader community shift toward a healthier and more compassionate way of living.

To demonstrate how easily plant-based choices can be incorporated into everyday meals, the workshop partnered with Geltech Health Foods, Inc., manufacturer of Meat Magic, a versatile meat alternative crafted from soybean, corn, and wheat. Through cooking demonstrations and recipe sharing, participants discovered how plant-based ingredients can be incorporated into everyday cooking, offering a sustainable path toward more mindful eating.

For Tzu Chi volunteer and participant Irene Labiste, the experience proved both engaging and eye-opening, going far beyond a standard cooking workshop.

She highlighted three important aspects of vegetarian cooking: health benefits, sustainability, and skill building. Beyond these, she also discovered how the workshop encouraged creativity in the kitchen, showing that healthy eating can be both enjoyable and inspiring.

"It wasn’t just about cooking,” she shared. “It was about exploring creativity in the kitchen, learning new techniques, and discovering how plant-based ingredients can be transformed into flavorful, satisfying meals.”

While the momentum behind conscious eating continues to grow, adopting a meatless lifestyle at home comes with challenges. When asked about her own approach, Irene shared that she is "not fully vegetarian yet, but gradually practicing by adding more meatless meals into my routine," emphasizing that making mindful choices aligned with health, values, and lifestyle matters most.

Tzu Chi volunteer Ana Marie Ng offers another example of how vegetarianism can begin with small, consistent changes.

Since 1992, Ng has maintained a vegetarian breakfast primarily to protect her health.

“I have been a consistent vegetarian for breakfast since 1992,” she shared. “Lowering meat intake helps me in maintaining a healthy body and weight, as well as lowers my risks of contracting diseases.”

This year, however, her understanding of vegetarianism expanded beyond personal health. Through intensive Tzu Chi training, Ng learned more about the environmental impact of industrial agriculture and how reducing meat consumption can help protect Mother Earth. This new awareness encouraged her to gradually expand her vegetarian practice beyond breakfast.

"I decided to go vegetarian for lunch as well after I learned that consuming less meat also helps our Mother Earth by drastically lowering carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions," Ng added. "It also contributes to decreasing land and freshwater use, and reducing water pollution and deforestation."

Driven by this awareness, Ng has made it her mission to encourage others in the community to reduce meat consumption for their health and to protect Mother Earth.

“As a Tzu Chi volunteer, I vowed to encourage more people in the community to reduce meat consumption to be healthier and to help our Mother Earth as well.”

By fostering a community rooted in compassion and environmental responsibility, Tzu Chi continues to show that every small, mindful choice on our plates contributes to a larger movement toward a more sustainable and harmonious world.

When we embrace a plant-based path, we do far more than change what sits upon our plate- we also cultivate the virtues of compassion, patience and wisdom within. As Dharma Master Cheng Yen gently reminds us: “Vegetarianism cultivates patience, compassion, and wisdom.”

09/08/2026

𝐀𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞

For years, Maria Teresa Loo Chien was a regular donor to Tzu Chi Foundation, giving what she could to help others in need. Years later, she would find herself receiving the same compassion she once helped extend to others.

Loo Chien’s family’s journey as recipients of Tzu Chi’s assistance began with her mother.

When Tzu Chi visited the family in 2020, Loo Chien’s mother was 90 years old. A long-serving teacher at Cebu Eastern College, she was then struggling with leg arthritis and spinal problems that had left her with little strength in her legs and dependent on a wheelchair. Tzu Chi had provided her with a wheelchair to help her move about.

As her mother could no longer climb the stairs, mother and daughter moved their living space to the first floor and rented out the unused rooms upstairs to help supplement their income. At the time, the family relied mainly on her mother’s monthly pension of about ₱8,000. Loo Chien’s cousin also helped with the rent of their home and the caregiver, Riza Uy, who looked after her mother.

The visit carried a special meaning for several Tzu Chi volunteers, who recognized Loo Chien’s mother as a former teacher who had taught them years earlier.

In March 2020, Tzu Chi began providing financial assistance to the family, helping ease the challenges of their daily life. Loo Chien was also facing health challenges of her own. In June 2019, she suffered an attack that required a 10-day stay in the intensive care unit. She was later diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery in 2020, with assistance from Tzu Chi.

After her time at Cebu Eastern College, Loo Chien continued sharing her knowledge through language tutoring and writing books for people learning conversational Chinese. As her health declined, she was eventually forced to stop tutoring, bringing an important chapter of her working life to an end.

At 63, Loo Chien now faces a relentless routine of monthly laboratory tests and twice-yearly consultations as she manages breast cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and nerve spasms. As her health has declined, so too has her ability to work and her financial resources, making each medical need more difficult to meet. Yet beyond these struggles, there remains a woman who still remembers the joy of helping others and the fulfillment she found in sharing what she knew.

When her mother passed away, Tzu Chi’s assistance did not end. Recognizing Loo Chien’s own circumstances, the foundation continued extending support to her.

She now manages with Tzu Chi’s continued assistance, a small pension, and help from her cousin. Her caregiver, Riza Uy, remains by her side, part of the circle of people who help her through each day.

“I’m happy. I’m very happy because they have helped me,” Loo Chien said.

Yet Loo Chien’s connection with Tzu Chi goes beyond being a recipient of assistance. Before she and her mother needed support themselves, they had been regular donors to the foundation.

“I want to help those who need help. If I can help, I will help,” she shared.

Her words offer a glimpse into the simple philosophy that shaped much of her life: if she had something to give, she wanted to share it with someone who needed it.

Now, that spirit of giving has come full circle.

The foundation she and her mother once supported has become a source of care for Loo Chien during a season of life when she can no longer do as much for herself. Her cousin, her caregiver, former students of her mother, and Tzu Chi volunteers have become part of a circle of support that continues to carry her forward.

“Before, I wrote books for people who wanted to learn conversational Chinese,” she recalled. Today, despite the challenges she faces, that interest in writing remains. “I still have one book to be finished.”

For Loo Chien, life’s chapter is far from closed. Though her path has been marked by physical challenges and financial difficulties, she continues to hold on to the things that give her life meaning, surrounded by the care of those around her and sustained by the support of Tzu Chi as she looks toward the story she has yet to tell.

Her chapter is unfinished—and there are still pages waiting to be written.

04/08/2026

𝐓𝐳𝐮 𝐂𝐡𝐢 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮’𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

For years, the Tzu Chi Foundation has stood as a steadfast beacon of hope for students facing financial challenges, united by a single dream: to complete their education and rewrite their family's future.

That unwavering commitment bore fruit this year as the Tzu Chi Cebu Liaison Office proudly celebrated the graduation of 18 scholars from across the province.

The Class of 2026 represents communities throughout Cebu, with two graduates from Catmon, two from Pulpogan, and 14 from Cebu City. Their achievements reflect not only academic excellence but also remarkable perseverance. Among the graduates are two Magna Cum Laude awardees, one Cum Laude graduate, and one recipient of a special award, marking another inspiring milestone for the foundation's Educational Assistance Program..

On July 25, scholars gathered for their exit interviews and graduation rites, officially concluding their journey under the Educational Assistance Program.

During the commencement exercises, Tzu Chi volunteer Helen Tan delivered the opening remarks, encouraging the graduates to carry forward the teachings and values they had learned through Tzu Chi into their future professions.

“You now have wings to move forward,” said Tan. “I hope you continue to grow and live up to the teachings of Tzu Chi.”

For Irish Anor, who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) from the University of Cebu-Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM), her achievement represented far more than academic success—it was the realization of a dream made possible through compassion and support.

Her path to academic excellence was far from straightforward. Anor had originally aspired to pursue a nursing degree, but financial constraints forced her to set that dream aside. Recognizing her family’s circumstances, she chose to pursue Hospitality Management instead, believing it was the more practical path.

“I chose practicality over passion because I knew that my father couldn’t afford the expenses if I took up nursing,” shared Anor, explaining that her father’s modest income as an on-call welder could not have sustained the costs of a nursing education.
Despite these challenges, she persevered with the support of Tzu Chi’s Educational Assistance Program.

“Thank you for the opportunity that you have given me,” said Anor. “Because of the scholarship, I didn’t have to worry about my tuition fees.”

Currently, Anor is exploring career opportunities as she begins applying for jobs and takes the next big step toward her professional world.

Another Magna Cum Laude graduate, Ivy Therese Labiste, earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies from the University of San Carlos after spending 10 years as a Tzu Chi scholar.

Looking back on her academic journey, Labiste reflected on the financial challenges her family endured after her father became ill. As her mother struggled to shoulder both medical expenses and daily living costs, the scholarship became a source of stability that allowed her to continue pursuing her studies.
Beyond financial assistance, Labiste credits Tzu Chi's Humanities Class with playing a pivotal role in her personal growth.

“Attending the Humanities Class helped me become a diligent and responsible person,” she noted. “There was an improvement in my character because the lessons in Tzu Chi are not taught in school. In Tzu Chi, I gained a broader perspective in life, understood people more, and acquired a lot of wisdom.”

“I am forever grateful to Tzu Chi because I couldn't have made it here; I wouldn't have graduated without their help,” Labiste expressed. “The honor that I received is largely thanks to Tzu Chi because I didn't have to worry about money. It gave me real peace of mind at school while my mother was working.”

Labiste also expressed deep gratitude for the valuable lessons and shared experiences she gained from her fellow scholars during their gatherings.

“I will always be grateful to Tzu Chi,” shared Labiste. “I am proud to say that I’m a Tzu Chi scholar not just because I have graduated from college, but also because I have learned so many things.”

The stories of Anor and Labiste are only a few of the many success stories born from the foundation's enduring commitment to uplifting deserving students through education. Behind every graduation gown and academic honor are years of quiet perseverance, driven by families who refused to let poverty define their children's futures, and reinforced by a community that chose to believe in their potential.

For these scholars, the support provided through Tzu Chi’s Educational Assistance Program went far beyond paying tuition fees and shouldering allowances—it removed the heavy burden of uncertainty, allowing them to focus entirely on their studies, personal growth, and pursuit of excellence. As the scholars step out of the university halls and into the professional world, they carry with them not only degrees and Latin honors but also the enduring values of compassion, resilience, and service instilled by the foundation. Their achievements stand as a testament to what becomes possible when determination is met with unwavering support, and when education is nurtured through compassion.

31/07/2026

𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞.

Tzu Chi Cebu family joyfully celebrates the achievement of our former scholar, Dr. Crystal Jane V. Liao, who successfully passed the Part II (Oral) Certifying examination given by the Philippine Board of Surgery last July 26, 2026.

We are deeply grateful to witness your journey from scholar to physician, and we look forward to your official conferment as a Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Surgery (DPBS) on December 9, 2026.

Congratulations, Dr. Crystal Liao! May you continue to heal with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering dedication.

30/07/2026

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡, 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐓𝐳𝐮 𝐂𝐡𝐢 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐇𝐀𝐌 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐧

Driven by a shared vision of healing and environmental education, Tzu Chi Cebu and Matias H. Aznar Memorial (MHAM) College of Nursing converged in Barangay Daantabogon, Tabogon, Cebu on July 21, 2026 for a community outreach program that promoted both health and environmental responsibility.

As part of their Community Organizing Participatory Action Research (COPAR), MHAM nursing students immersed themselves in the community, diving deep into the grassroots to identify priority health challenges, foster meaningful dialogues, and equip locals with the tools needed to champion their own sustainable well-being.

This collaborative spirit deepened with the involvement of Tzu Chi Cebu, whose hallmark dedication to environmental stewardship resonated powerfully throughout the program. By integrating environmental awareness into grassroots health education, the partnership delivered a vital message: true community healing is linked to the care and preservation of our natural environment.

The seminar brought together residents identified through the students’ COPAR activities, many of whom were elderly caregivers from underprivileged families, looking after their grandchildren while their children were at work. Having expected only a day of learning, the participants were pleasantly surprised when Tzu Chi volunteers concluded the program by distributing grocery packs, a gesture of compassion that complemented the day’s lessons on health and environmental stewardship.

Jhon Mitchelle Wagas, a clinical instructor from MHAM College of Nursing, emphasized the intricate connection between the well-being of an individual and its environment.

"One of the main concerns really is our environment," he shared. "It starts with our environment. If our environment is good, we can also have very good health."

Tzu Chi Volunteer Elsa Aribal and Catmon scholar Niño Lagapa introduced Tzu Chi Foundation to the attendees, sharing the humble beginnings of Tzu Chi, its four missions, and how they expanded into the eight footprints.

Building on this introduction, Tzu Chi Catmon Scholar Diane June Guinita led a discussion on the environmental issues and Tzu Chi Foundation’s environmental protection initiatives, highlighting the foundation’s 5Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle.

“Sometimes we wait for leaders to solve environmental problems,” Guinita shared. “But real change begins with ourselves.”

Guinita further emphasized that simple daily actions, such as conserving water and electricity and bringing reusable materials, can make a significant impact on the environment. She believes that through the collective efforts of the community, environmental problems can gradually be addressed.

“The future of our environment does not depend on one big action,” she emphasized. “It depends on millions of small actions done with love and consistency.”

Guinita further highlighted the importance of preserving the environment by being mindful of our actions so as to protect nature and ensure the future of the next generation.

“The earth does not belong to us,” she emphasized. “We borrowed it from the next generation.”

The session resonated deeply with Perlinda Monteron, a resident from the coastal area. For her, one of the biggest environmental problems is people indiscriminately throwing away their garbage.

For Monteron, protecting the environment begins with every individual taking responsibility for properly managing waste and keeping their surroundings clean. She believes that these simple actions can protect nature and help lessen the impact of environmental disasters.

“If only everyone would care and properly manage their waste,” she shared. “The destruction of our environment could have been avoided, especially the seas.”

As part of her daily routine, Monteron makes it a point to clean her backyard. Through this consistent practice, she has cultivated a deeper appreciation for environmental stewardship, viewing cleanliness not only as a way to protect the environment but also as a vital frontline defense against public health hazards and community-wide illness.

"I am really concerned about the environment because whatever reaches our barangay is caused by the people living here," she shared. "If the surroundings are just clean, it wouldn't cause that much sickness to the body."

Through the partnership between Tzu Chi Cebu and MHAM College of Nursing, the outreach demonstrated that lasting community transformation begins with education, compassion, and collective action. By empowering residents to care for both their health and the environment, the initiative planted seeds of responsibility that can continue to flourish long after the seminar concluded.

Tzu Chi Cebu

26/08/2026

19/08/2026

14/08/2026

13/08/2026

09/08/2026

04/08/2026

31/07/2026

30/07/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request