Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines-Bohol Office

Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines-Bohol Office Tzu Chi Foundation is founded by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in 1966 on the East Coast of Taiwan. It has 4 missions: Charity, Medicine, Education and Humanity.
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๐’๐„๐„๐ƒ๐’ ๐Ž๐… ๐‡๐Ž๐๐„, ๐‡๐€๐‘๐•๐„๐’๐“๐’ ๐Ž๐… ๐ƒ๐‘๐„๐€๐Œ๐’: ๐“๐™๐” ๐‚๐‡๐ˆ ๐…๐Ž๐”๐๐ƒ๐€๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐ ๐‡๐Ž๐‹๐ƒ๐’ ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐“๐‡ ๐„๐ƒ๐”๐‚๐€๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐๐€๐‹ ๐€๐’๐’๐ˆ๐’๐“๐€๐๐‚๐„ ๐€๐–๐€๐‘๐ƒ๐ˆ๐๐† ๐€๐๐ƒ ๐‘๐„๐‚๐Ž๐†๐๐ˆ๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐ ๐‚๐„๐‘๐„๐Œ๐Ž๐...
17/06/2026

๐’๐„๐„๐ƒ๐’ ๐Ž๐… ๐‡๐Ž๐๐„, ๐‡๐€๐‘๐•๐„๐’๐“๐’ ๐Ž๐… ๐ƒ๐‘๐„๐€๐Œ๐’: ๐“๐™๐” ๐‚๐‡๐ˆ ๐…๐Ž๐”๐๐ƒ๐€๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐ ๐‡๐Ž๐‹๐ƒ๐’ ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐“๐‡ ๐„๐ƒ๐”๐‚๐€๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐๐€๐‹ ๐€๐’๐’๐ˆ๐’๐“๐€๐๐‚๐„ ๐€๐–๐€๐‘๐ƒ๐ˆ๐๐† ๐€๐๐ƒ ๐‘๐„๐‚๐Ž๐†๐๐ˆ๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐ ๐‚๐„๐‘๐„๐Œ๐Ž๐๐˜

Education remains one of the most enduring investments in building a brighter future, empowering individuals with the knowledge, values, and opportunities needed to transform their lives and uplift their communities. As one of its core missions, the Tzu Chi Foundation continues to champion education, recognizing that every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their aspirations regardless of any circumstances.

In steadfast commitment to this vision, the Foundation marked another milestone through its 12th Annual Educational Assistance Awarding and Recognition Ceremony held on June 12, 2026, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Gathering 286 scholars, donors, volunteers, and guests, the event stood as a testament to twelve years of nurturing dreams, celebrating perseverance, and inspiring generations of students to transform gratitude into meaningful action and service.

Opening the program, Brother Joven Uy, Tzu Chi Bohol Deputy Coordinator, took the audience on a journey through the Foundation's humble beginnings in the province. He recalled how the scholarship program was established in 2014 following the devastating Bohol earthquake, when Tzu Chi volunteers worked alongside local communities to rebuild schools and restore hope and purpose.

What began as a response to disaster has since grown into a sustained mission of empowering young lives through education and compassion.

Building on this, Brother Jack Gaisano, Head of the Tzu Chi Bohol Education Committee, presented the 313 educational assistance beneficiaries, composed of incoming second-year students (2), third-year students (48), fourth-year students (75), fifth-year students (4), graduating scholars (106), and 78 newly accepted beneficiaries, the group represented not only academic achievement but also countless stories of resilience, determination, and hope.

He also encouraged the graduating Batch 2026 scholars to remain grounded in the values they have learned through Tzu Chi as they step into an increasingly fast-changing world shaped by technology and innovation. โ€œBring with you the learnings and values that Tzu Chi has instilled in your lives,โ€ he said. โ€œUse them to help your family and contribute meaningfully to society.โ€

A defining moment of the ceremony came as graduating scholars took the stage to share their journeysโ€”stories that reflected years of struggle, growth, and transformation.

Among them was Mark Anthony Boiser, a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship graduate from Bohol Island State University. Grounding his reflection on the belief that โ€œOnly grateful people will have a sense of mission,โ€ he shared how Tzu Chi shaped not only his academic journey but also his sense of purpose and service. He described his experiences as a process that transformed hardship into resilience and direction.

โ€œResilience is built in moments of hardship, not comfort,โ€ he said, emphasizing that his struggles became the foundation of his growth and determination.

For School Year 2025โ€“2026, 25 scholars graduated with Latin honors, of whom 19 were cm laude, 5 were magna cm laude, and 1 summa cm laude.

Angelica Mae E. Requina, a Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies from Bohol Island State Universityโ€“Main Campus. Living with a visual impairment, she shared how she chose not to be limited by her condition, instead turning challenges into motivation to pursue academic excellence.

She recalled how her journey with the scholarship program began with uncertainty after initially not passing the entrance examination, but eventually became a turning point that strengthened her perseverance and faith in her journey. Through the support of Tzu Chi and its donors, she was able to complete her studies and recognize her own potential beyond limitations.

The ceremony also welcomed the Foundationโ€™s newly accepted scholars, whose heartfelt reflections highlighted the life-changing impact of education. Representing the new batch, Jan Emyrson Gomonan and Venisse Daquipil expressed how the scholarship arrived at a crucial moment in their lives, offering hope amid financial struggles and allowing them to continue pursuing their studies.

Grateful for the opportunity, they shared their commitment to uphold Tzu Chiโ€™s spirit by giving back to the community and paying forward the compassion they received.

Extending the spirit of gratitude beyond the scholars, Tzu Chi volunteer from Taiwan, Huang Li-Yao expressed admiration for the Foundationโ€™s continued educational mission in Bohol. She reflected on how witnessing Tzu Chiโ€™s work deepened her understanding of how education transforms lives and builds lasting hope within communities.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Brother James Chua, Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEO and Bohol Coordinator, delivered his closing remarks, encouraging scholars to strive continuously for excellence while remaining grounded in gratitude and humility.

โ€œI hope everybody will continue to do their best,โ€ he said. โ€œLearn from your mistakes because that is one of the best ways to become successful.โ€

He also emphasized the importance of remembering the Foundation and the mission of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, who continues to guide Tzu Chiโ€™s humanitarian work worldwide.

The program concluded with a Jing Si Aphorism that captured the essence of the gathering: โ€œTo learn is to enrich the mind. To serve is to enrich the heart.โ€

As the ceremony ended, scholars, graduates, donors, and volunteers carried with them a shared realization: education is more than academic achievement, it is a lifelong process of becoming, grounded in compassion and strengthened by gratitude.

Twelve years after its beginning in the aftermath of the Bohol earthquake, the Tzu Chi Foundationโ€™s educational assistance program continues to grow as a living testament to resilience and renewal. From seeds planted in times of crisis, it has become a harvest of dreams fulfilledโ€”shaped by countless stories of perseverance, kindness, and hope.

As this new generation of scholars moves forward, they carry with them a collective promise: to live not only as beneficiaries of compassion, but as its future bearersโ€”ready to plant seeds of hope wherever life leads them.

16/06/2026

๐“๐จ๐ ๐ž๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐„๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ก: ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ญ, ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ž๐ซ๐ฏ๐ž, ๐š๐ง๐ ๐๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐œ๐ข๐ฉ๐š๐ญ๐ž

What started as a simple act of service became a powerful movement of unity, compassion, and environmental stewardship.

On April 25, 2026, 53 Tzu Chi Youth volunteers, together with student leaders, college organizations, and community members, gathered in Barangay Tungod, Inabanga, Bohol, for the 2026 Annual Bayanihan Coastal Clean-Up. Through teamwork and the spirit of bayanihan, a total of 639.2 kilograms of waste were removed from the shoreline, giving new hope to both the community and the environment.

More than cleaning the coast, the activity served as a reminder that every small action matters. By caring for our surroundings today, we help protect the future of generations to come.

As Dharma Master Cheng Yen reminds us: โ€œTo care for the Earth is to extend compassion to all beings.โ€

๐ŸŒฑ One Earth. One Community. One Shared Responsibility.

02/06/2026

Today, we remember our beloved Bro. Michael Siao. He was the deputy chief executive officer of the Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines. In the global Tzu Chi community, Bro. Michael was renowned for being the first to implement the massive "cash-for-workโ€ disaster relief model, which empowered nearly 300,000 survivors of Typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda to rebuild their own communities with assistance from the Foundation. Wherever there were disasters in the Philippines, he was one of the first Tzu Chi volunteers to mobilize and lead the relief efforts.

On this day last year, he passed away. Bro. Michael donated his body for medical education through Tzu Chiโ€™s Silent Mentor Program, helping teach future doctors to treat patients with gratitude, respect, and humanistic values.

He lived a life of selflessness, humility, and extraordinary depth, never wasting a second and teaching those he mentored that life is a precious, impermanent gift. He was a true role model whose life will continue to inspire all who walk the path of service. Now and always, we honor and remember his legacy.

๐–๐„ ๐€๐‘๐„ ๐‡๐ˆ๐‘๐ˆ๐๐†!Tzu Chi Bohol is looking for:๐Ÿณ Cook/Utility๐Ÿ“ทโœ๏ธ News Writer with PhotographyIf you are hardworking, dedicat...
30/05/2026

๐–๐„ ๐€๐‘๐„ ๐‡๐ˆ๐‘๐ˆ๐๐†!

Tzu Chi Bohol is looking for:
๐Ÿณ Cook/Utility
๐Ÿ“ทโœ๏ธ News Writer with Photography

If you are hardworking, dedicated, and passionate about serving the community, we would love to hear from you!

๐Ÿ“ฉ Send your resume and credentials to: [email protected]

"Start with good intentions and one will head in the right direction. Make good vows and one will have the strength to c...
26/05/2026

"Start with good intentions and one will head in the right direction. Make good vows and one will have the strength to contribute."

Aphorism by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

15/05/2026

๐“๐ณ๐ฎ ๐‚๐ก๐ข ๐๐จ๐ก๐จ๐ฅ ๐”๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐š ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ก๐š ๐๐š๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐‚๐ž๐ซ๐ž๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฒ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‚๐ฅ๐ž๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐š๐ง๐ ๐‘๐ž๐ง๐ž๐ฐ๐š๐ฅ

With hearts filled with gratitude, Tzu Chi commissioners, staff, scholars, special guests, and participants gathered at the Bohol Cultural Center on May 10, 2026, to take part in the solemn and meaningful Buddha Bathing Ceremony.

This sacred ritual commemorates the birth of the Buddha and serves as a profound reminder to purify our hearts and minds. As participants sincerely bowed and offered candles, scented water, and flowersโ€”each symbolizing humility and respectโ€”they reflected on letting go of greed, anger, and ignorance while nurturing wisdom, compassion, and gratitude in their daily lives.

Guided by the teaching, โ€œOnly by first purifying and changing ourselves can we ever hope to purify and transform others,โ€ the ceremony invited everyone to look inward and renew their commitment to goodness.

As Dharma Master Cheng Yen reminds us, โ€œThe Buddha has never departed. He resides right here, in everyoneโ€™s hearts.โ€ May this ceremony inspire us to awaken the Buddha within and spread love and compassion to all beings.

Purify our hearts. Illuminate our minds. Create a better world through compassion.

13/05/2026

๐๐š๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐’๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ญ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐“๐ณ๐ฎ ๐‚๐ก๐ข ๐š๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ก๐จ๐ฅ ๐‚๐ž๐ฅ๐ž๐›๐ซ๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐ข๐ง ๐Ÿ ๐„๐ฏ๐ž๐ง๐ญ

While the grand Tzu Chi Buddha Bathing Ceremony was being held in Taiwan, a corresponding Tzu Chi event was also held in Bohol, Philippines.

In Bohol, 918 attendees came together for a heartfelt 3-in-1 celebration commemorating Motherโ€™s Day, Buddha Day, and Global Tzu Chi Day on the afternoon of May 10, 2026 at Bohol Cultural Center Tagbilaran City. The program featured touching sign language performances and a meaningful foot-washing ceremony for mothers, beautifully embodying the spirit of filial piety and sincerely expressing gratitude, love, and respect.

The gathering was filled with sincerity and warmth, as participants honored their mothers, reflected on the essence of compassion, and joined in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Tzu Chi Foundation. It became a meaningful occasion where love, gratitude, and harmony were shared across cultures and communities.

๐’๐ˆ๐— ๐ƒ๐„๐‚๐€๐ƒ๐„๐’ ๐Ž๐… ๐†๐‘๐„๐€๐“ ๐‹๐Ž๐•๐„: ๐“๐™๐” ๐‚๐‡๐ˆ ๐๐Ž๐‡๐Ž๐‹ ๐‚๐„๐‹๐„๐๐‘๐€๐“๐„๐’ ๐Ÿ‘-๐ˆ๐-๐Ÿ ๐„๐•๐„๐๐“The power of a single thought should never be underestim...
11/05/2026

๐’๐ˆ๐— ๐ƒ๐„๐‚๐€๐ƒ๐„๐’ ๐Ž๐… ๐†๐‘๐„๐€๐“ ๐‹๐Ž๐•๐„: ๐“๐™๐” ๐‚๐‡๐ˆ ๐๐Ž๐‡๐Ž๐‹ ๐‚๐„๐‹๐„๐๐‘๐€๐“๐„๐’ ๐Ÿ‘-๐ˆ๐-๐Ÿ ๐„๐•๐„๐๐“

The power of a single thought should never be underestimated. As Dharma Master Cheng Yen once said, โ€œDo not underestimate the power of small acts of kindness.โ€ These timeless words beautifully reflect the spirit of the Tzu Chi Foundation, which she founded sixty years ago. What began as a simple intention of compassion has grown into a living testament of love and service, continuously inspiring millions of people around the world to walk the path of compassion together despite lifeโ€™s many challenges and suffering.

It all began in 1966, when a young Taiwanese nun, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, courageously embraced her mission to relieve the suffering of the poor and less fortunate. Deeply inspired by the Buddhaโ€™s teachings, she encouraged 30 housewives to practice the Bamboo Bank tradition by setting aside 50 centavos from their grocery money each day and save it in a bamboo coin bank to help those in need. From this humble beginning, few could have imagined that such a simple act of kindness would create lasting change and continue to bring hope to humanity sixty years later.

The tradition lives on across the globe. On the rainy afternoon of May 10, 2026, the Tzu Chi Foundation Bohol held three meaningful occasions in one memorable gathering at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City, commemorating Buddha Day, Global Tzu Chi Day, and Motherโ€™s Day. A total of 918 participants attended the event, including 7 commissioners, 68 local volunteers, 254 scholars, 22 staff members, 12 guests, and 555 participants coming from different Tzu Chi communities around Bohol. This year marks a very special milestone for the foundation as it celebrates its 60th anniversary of humanitarian service globally.

Preparations were carried out with great care as Tzu Chi staff set up the venue while participants rehearsed for the parade of offerings under the guidance of Sister Chieh Fang Uy. Even before the program formally began, the atmosphere was already filled with unity, discipline, and devotion.

In his opening remarks, Brother James Chua, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Philippines and Bohol Coordinator, emphasized the foundationโ€™s mission inspired by the words, โ€œTo purify peopleโ€™s minds so that we may have a harmonious society.โ€ He also encouraged more volunteers in Bohol to continue strengthening the mission of compassion and service.

The central highlight of the celebration was the Buddha Bathing Ceremony. Guided by the teaching, โ€œOnly by first purifying and changing ourselves can we ever hope to purify and transform others.โ€ , Sister Chieh Fang Uy, Tzu Chi Bohol Volunteer Development Coordinator, who led the solemn program and explained the deeper meaning of the 3-in-1 celebration, expressed hope that through the event, participants would come to know the Buddha, understand His teachings, and allow the seeds of great love to grow within their hearts. โ€œIn this event, we witnessed how our volunteers, especially the youth and staff, worked together with unity of heart. We are truly grateful for that,โ€ she shared.

This sacred ritual commemorates the birth of the Buddha and invites everyone to look inward, cleansing their hearts and renewing their commitment to goodness. More than a symbolic act, it serves as a reminder to let go of greed, anger, and ignorance while cultivating wisdom, compassion, and gratitude in daily life. As Dharma Master Cheng Yen once said, โ€œThe Buddha has never departed. He resides right here, in everyoneโ€™s hearts.โ€ This means that the spirit of compassion, kindness, and wisdom lives within every person and can be reflected through sincere actions toward others.

One of the participants during the offering ceremony was Charissa Suello, 34, from Inabanga, Bohol, attended the event for the third time. She shared how her journey as a volunteer began after Typhoon Odette and how the experience continues to inspire her.

During the ceremony, she silently offered prayers for her family. โ€œI pray for good health for my family,โ€ she said, sharing that one sibling is battling a cyst that has required multiple surgeries, while another has a goiter.

Despite these challenges, she remains hopeful and continues to pray for healing, strength, and for her sibling to successfully graduate.

The celebration continued halfway into the program where gratitude toward parents and families through the Motherโ€™s Day segment brought deeply emotional moments for many participants and audience. Across Tzu Chi communities worldwide, moments of appreciation between parents and children are touching gestures of the sacrifices made within families and expressed gratitude by actions.

Tzu Chi Bohol staff Sister Arlene Pelayo has served the foundation for nine years. She shared how deeply moved she was during the program where she and her daughter were the participants themselves.

โ€œI have always helped facilitate this part, but this is the first time I personally experienced it. It felt very meaningful and beautiful,โ€ she said, recalling how the foot-washing ceremony touched her beyond words.

Her daughter, Christine Zen, responded with love and gratitude, promising to study hard and finish her education. โ€œI feel happy because even in my small effort, I was able to give something back to my mother for all her sacrifices,โ€ she shared. She ended with a heartfelt message: โ€œI love you and thank you, Mom,โ€ as she embraced her mother.

The giving of flowers and washing of foot segment was followed by a sign language performance by TCY team titled โ€œThe Kneeling Lamb,โ€ which conveys a message about filial piety. Daniel Bakilid, 21, one of performers, a Business Administration 3rd year college in Tagbilaran City College, took part in the sign language presentation. โ€œTzu Chi taught us to love our parents, not just through words, but through action, gratitude, and effort,โ€ he shared. โ€œEven though it is difficult, we try to say โ€˜I love youโ€™ and rebuild our connection with our parents.โ€ He ended with a heartfelt message of gratitude to his mother and to all mothers around the world.

Tzu Chi consistent coin bank contributor Dalareich Polot shared a heartfelt message of gratitude as she reflected on the sacrifices of her mother, who once worked as a street sweeper and father who used to be a tricycle driver to provide for their family.

โ€œWhile our mothers are still with us, we should never miss the opportunity to show them our love and appreciation,โ€ she said.

She added that the Tzu Chi Foundation has helped her in ways that go far beyond material assistance. Through the foundation, she learned many valuable lessons, one of the most meaningful being that a motherโ€™s love is the purest and most selfless form of compassion.

The program concluded with Brother Joven Uy, Tzu Chi Bohol Deputy Coordinator, who presented the accomplishments of Tzu Chi Bohol and shared Dharma Master Cheng Yenโ€™s teaching: โ€œWhen there are many good people, the power of blessings and kindness is great.โ€

From its humble beginnings in Taiwan to its continued mission in Bohol, the Tzu Chi Foundation remains a living example of compassion in action, where every story, every sacrifice, and every act of kindness become part of a greater purpose.

Indeed, Dharma Master Cheng Yenโ€™s words, โ€œWith love in our hearts, there is nothing we cannot overcome,โ€ rang true throughout the celebration. From the humble beginnings of a single bamboo coin bank to a global movement of compassion, the Tzu Chi Foundation continues to show that when people unite with sincerity, gratitude, and love, even the smallest acts of kindness can transform lives and bring hope to the world.

๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐€๐๐๐”๐€๐‹ ๐๐€๐˜๐€๐๐ˆ๐‡๐€๐ ๐‚๐Ž๐€๐’๐“๐€๐‹ ๐‚๐‹๐„๐€๐-๐”๐ ๐๐‘๐ˆ๐๐†๐’ ๐๐„๐– ๐‡๐Ž๐๐„ ๐“๐Ž ๐€ ๐†๐‘๐Ž๐–๐ˆ๐๐† ๐“๐™๐” ๐‚๐‡๐ˆ ๐‚๐Ž๐Œ๐Œ๐”๐๐ˆ๐“๐˜What begins as a small act of care ...
10/05/2026

๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐€๐๐๐”๐€๐‹ ๐๐€๐˜๐€๐๐ˆ๐‡๐€๐ ๐‚๐Ž๐€๐’๐“๐€๐‹ ๐‚๐‹๐„๐€๐-๐”๐ ๐๐‘๐ˆ๐๐†๐’ ๐๐„๐– ๐‡๐Ž๐๐„ ๐“๐Ž ๐€ ๐†๐‘๐Ž๐–๐ˆ๐๐† ๐“๐™๐” ๐‚๐‡๐ˆ ๐‚๐Ž๐Œ๐Œ๐”๐๐ˆ๐“๐˜

What begins as a small act of care can lead to a powerful movement for change. In Bohol, a simple initiative driven by compassion and responsibility turned into an expression of unity and environmental care.

On April 25,2026, fifty-three (53) Tzu Chi Youth of Bohol, joined by various college organizations across the island province, including students from different campuses of Bohol Island State University (BISU) and Buenavista City College (BCC), came together with one shared purpose to bring new hope not only to the community but also to Mother Nature.

Barangay Tungod in Inabanga, which officially became a community of Tzu Chi Bohol in July 2025, is composed of 7 zones and was chosen as the site of this yearโ€™s annual coastal clean-up because of its identity as a coastal area and its growing support provided by the foundation, with a total of 11 Happy Home project beneficiaries. This made the activity not only timely but also deeply meaningful for both the residents and the volunteers.

In preparation for the activity, volunteers came equipped with the necessary tools and a strong sense of responsibility. They wore protective gloves and brought sacks for collecting waste, along with rakes and shovels to efficiently gather and manage debris along the shoreline. These simple yet purposeful preparations ensured that the clean-up was not only organized but also safe and effective.

United by a shared purpose, students, volunteers, and local residents turned awareness into action, living out the Jing Si Aphorism of Dharma Master Cheng Yen โ€œTo care for the Earth is to extend compassion to all beings.โ€ This serves as a powerful reminder that caring for the Earth is also a way of caring for one another.

Upon arriving at the coastal clean-up site, many volunteers initially thought there was only minimal cleaning to be done, as the barangay road on both sides appeared clean and well-maintained. However, as they moved into deeper corners, a different reality unfolded - large amounts of waste were scattered and left unnoticed, slowly revealing the true condition of the area.

This realization became a turning point volunteers realized that cleanliness seen on the surface does not always reflect the true condition beneath. Each piece of waste collected became more than just garbage removed, it became a step toward restoring dignity to the community and hope for the oceanโ€™s future.

Barangay Tungod Captain Jose Aรฑana expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Tzu Chi Foundation and highlighted the importance of unity in maintaining cleanliness. He shared, โ€œI am grateful to the Tzu Chi Foundation. Let us make an effort to clean our surroundings and work together in cleaning our environment and coastal areas because the fish we eat from the sea also consume waste. When our coastal areas are polluted, they become dirty as well.โ€ He encouraged everyone, saying, โ€œLet us all join and take part in this clean-up drive.โ€

Echoing this call to action, Mark Boiser, Head of Tzu Chi Youth in Bohol, emphasized the deeper purpose of the initiative. He stated, โ€œIn celebration of Earth Day, our annual Bayanihan Coastal Clean-Up activity themed โ€˜Together for Earth: Protect, Preserve, and Participateโ€™ aims to inspire individuals to unite communities in a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.โ€ He stressed that the activity goes beyond cleaning, it is a collective mission to protect and preserve nature.

He further stressed the urgency of addressing pollution and improper waste disposal in coastal ecosystems, reminding everyone that โ€œprotecting the Earth means protecting the future.โ€ He also encouraged the youth to take active roles as environmental advocates, highlighting that real change begins with collective responsibility and action.

As the activity progressed, the activity became a platform for awareness as volunteers, students, and community members worked hand in hand, embodying the true spirit of bayanihan. For many volunteers, the experience was both challenging and eye-opening, revealing realities often unseen in everyday life.

For Mylah Valiente, a 22-year-old BS Office Administration student from BISU Main Campus, the experience was driven by her passion to protect coastal areas as she served as an assigned youth leader, โ€œThis is for the safety of the community,โ€ she shared. She noted that most of the waste collected consisted of plastics and bottles. Despite the intense heat of the sun, she added, โ€œI feel happy that we were able to help this community and be part of this clean-up activity.โ€

One of Mylahโ€™s members in their assigned area was a first-time and aspiring Tzu Chi volunteer, Joan Jade Polgo, a 24-year-old work-from-home graduate, who shared how the experience transformed her perspective. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, โ€œThis is my first time joining this kind of activity. I stayed at home for almost two years after graduation, so being around many people again felt new to me.โ€ Initially believing the area was already clean, she was surprised upon reaching the deeper parts of the barangay. โ€œThe impact of the trash we gathered was truly serious,โ€ she said, emphasizing how even small actions like proper waste disposal can make a meaningful difference.

The impact of the activity also resonated deeply within the local community. Premare Cabaral, a resident of the barangay, expressed her gratitude and encouraged her neighbors, saying, โ€œI would like to ask my neighbors to please keep our surroundings clean and never throw garbage into the sea because it also affects all of us.โ€
Another aspiring volunteer from the community was Estelita Aparre, a 64 year-old senior volunteer and Happy Home beneficiary of the area, who described the experience with mixed emotions.

Despite enduring back and knee pain while collecting waste under the heat of the sun, she found beauty in unity. โ€œIt is beautiful to see people united and working together,โ€ she shared. With humility, she admitted past habits and expressed her desire to change, saying, โ€œWe are not perfect people, but I will try my best to change. While I am still alive, I will make sure to properly dispose of my waste.โ€

In other areas, volunteers encountered different types of waste. Larry Estorgio, a 21-year-old Tzu Chi scholar BSIT student from BCC, lives in the neighboring barangay of the area, and was assigned in another area, observed that many of the collected materials were clothes and fishing nets, possibly remnants of Typhoon Odette. He described the difficulty of removing buried waste, saying, โ€œThere were many buried shirts and other waste that seemed tightly stuck in the ground and very hard to remove. No matter how I tried to pull them out, they would not come off. There were also many fishing nets, which were difficult to collect, and a lot of broken glass as well.โ€ Despite the challenge, he found fulfillment in the effort and emphasized, โ€œIt is very important that we clean our environment, not only for ourselves but also for Mother Earth and our health.โ€ He encouraged everyone, especially the youth, to practice Clean As You Go (CLAYGO) and always be mindful of their waste.

Inspired by the Jing Si teaching, โ€œTrue cleanliness is not only what we see on the outside, but what we cultivate within and care for beyond what is visible,โ€ student leader Mc Neil Louise Sinajon, Vice President of BISU Balilihan SSG, observed that the true essence of the activity was reflected not only in the environment but also in the people. He noted the determination in every volunteerโ€™s face and reflected on how the experience strengthened his passion for service. โ€œBeing a student leader has given me the opportunity to participate in activities like this, especially in community engagement and volunteerism,โ€ he shared, expressing gratitude to the Tzu Chi Youth group for the opportunity.

The coastal clean-up ended with a total of 639.2 kg of waste collected, consisting of 473.0 kg of plastics, 59.2 kg of plastic bottles, 27.5 kg of cans, 32.0 kg of glass bottles, and 47.5 kg of cloth waste, resulting in a visibly cleaner and renewed shoreline. These wastes are scheduled to be collected by the local government waste disposal unit proper disposal management.

Indeed, the coastal clean-up drive reminds us that we share one home. We live on the same planet, breathe the same air, and stand under the same sky as we move toward a shared future. Protecting the environment is not the responsibility of one person alone, it calls for unity, compassion, and a continuous collective effort.

Through initiatives like this, communities do more than restore their surroundings; they awaken a deeper sense of care, responsibility, and hope for generations to come. Each small act, when done with sincerity, becomes part of something greater. And in these simple, mindful efforts, we are reminded that caring for the Earth is, ultimately, caring for one another and for the future we are all shaping together.

With hearts full of gratitude, we warmly invite you to join Tzu Chi Bohol in celebrating the 2026 Buddha Day.This meanin...
04/05/2026

With hearts full of gratitude, we warmly invite you to join Tzu Chi Bohol in celebrating the 2026 Buddha Day.

This meaningful occasion brings us together to honor Buddhaโ€™s Birthday, Motherโ€™s Day, and Global Tzu Chi Dayโ€”a time to reflect on love, compassion, and gratitude.

As we commemorate Tzu Chiโ€™s 60th anniversary, we are reminded to live these values each day and share kindness with others.

Let us gather in unity and reverenceโ€”offering prayers, expressing our deepest gratitude to our mothers, and fostering harmony within our community. May this celebration inspire us to continue walking the path of goodness, hand in hand.

๐Ÿ“ Bohol Cultural Center -Tagbilaran City
๐Ÿ—“๏ธ May 10, 2026
โฑ๏ธ 2:00 PM โ€“ 4:00 PM

Everyone is welcome to be part of this solemn and uplifting celebration.

Address

3rd Floor Of FCB Building, CPG North Avenue, Cogon District
Tagbilaran City
6300

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