July 22, 2026
Education brings him closer to his dreams
By Joy Rojas
Now 21, Andrel Arreglado was in the fifth grade when he told his mother he wanted to become a teacher someday. Her reply broke his heart.
“Can we afford it?” she asked him.
Based in Cebu, the son of streetsweepers was painfully aware of the limitations of his life. Given their meager salaries, his parents are forever in debt, and he has no choice but to make do with the little that is left for him. At school, a typical lunch consists of egg and rice, and any money that is given to him is for transportation fare.
Embarrassed at first, especially when he compared his situation to classmates who lived in relative comfort, he rarely spoke to anyone about his parents’ occupation.
In time, he made peace with it. Yes, it’s streetsweeping, he told himself, but it’s also an honest way to make a living. Besides, he could still fulfill his dreams by staying in school and focusing on his studies.
“It’s a privilege to go to school,” he said. “So, I persevered even though I was discouraged.”
In Grade 8, Arreglado encountered the Tzu Chi Foundation, whose volunteers happened to be conducting a seminar on drug prevention in his community. A friend invited him to join and he became part of the “Tokhang” (knock and request) Group, which they eventually renamed Pulpogan Youth.
Arreglado proved a helpful volunteer. Because he lived near Pulpogan National High School, he would get the key from the gatekeeper, enter the school, and set up a classroom in time for scholars’ Humanities class on Sunday. He also assisted them in their various programs.
In senior high school, he became a Tzu Chi scholar himself, and only because he begged for it. “It was the pandemic,” he reasoned, “and I asked [Tzu Chi Cebu volunteer] Marietta Uy if they were offering scholarships.”
At the time, the Cebu chapter wasn’t, but volunteers decided to accept applications. In 2021, Arreglado was one of eight to be awarded with a Tzu Chi scholarship.
The scholarship saw him through senior high at the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, and continues to provide for his academic needs in Cebu Normal University, where he is completing his Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
To help cover his personal expenses, he was given a job. Since 2023, he’s been reporting on Tzu Chi Cebu’s activities and posting them on the foundation’s social media page.
“It makes me happy,” he said of the task. “Achi Marietta told me that the reason we made the Facebook page is for people to know what we are doing, that we are spreading goodness. In a way, I’m helping Tzu Chi touch more lives through my photos and posts.”
Tzu Chi was the reason he pursued psychology. “For me, the world is really loud, so we really need someone who listens,” said Arreglado, who is considering a career in social work. “Because of Tzu Chi, I learned how to listen to other people.”
Admitting to being prideful and not listening at times, he credits the foundation’s influence for his sudden shift in mindset. “This is the first step of goodness. Listening to others.”
This includes listening to his mother. The Arreglados still live in a rented home, and his mother’s dream is for them to have a place they can finally call their own.
“That became my motivation to really pursue education,” he said. “I know that through education, I can give her that dream.”
Now her dream is his dream too.
At the 2026 Tzu Chi Scholars’ Camp, Cebu-based scholar Andrel Arreglado spoke of the many humanitarian initiatives undertaken by his fellow scholars.
Starting the scholars’ camp early with exercise at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus plaza.
With his parents and older sister, Andrel Arreglado (first from left) is focused on his studies to fulfill a dream of securing a home for his family /Photo courtesy of Andrel Arreglado.
Sharing his learnings from Humanities class to the clients of Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II during one of the Cebu Liaison’s bi-monthly feeding programs /Photo courtesy of Andrel Arreglado.
Andrel (first from left) joins Tzu Chi volunteers and staff in a survey in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino in preparation for the foundation’s relief efforts to reach affected communities /Photo courtesy of Andrel Arreglado.
As a youth volunteer, Andrel (fourth from left) assists Tzu Chi Pulpogan scholars in their monthly outreach activity in their community.
Still in senior high, Andrel (in white) helps Tzu Chi volunteer Marietta Uy (in blue) and scholars pack gift bags for distribution.
Now an incoming fourth year student taking up BS Psychology from Cebu Normal University, Andrel proudly shows off his new uniform during his pinning ceremony /Photo courtesy of Andrel Arreglado.