October 7, 2026
For her better walks through life
By Nicole Fetalcorin
“We have many problems, especially when it comes to financial and health matters,” said Hannah Lyka Mabatan during her panel interview for aspiring Tzu Chi scholars on September 12, 2026 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Like many scholar hopefuls, she carries her fair share of life’s struggles, yet her belief in a brighter future remains steadfast.
Mabatan comes from a humble family. Her stepfather earns Php 2,000 a month as a street vendor in Recto, Manila, while her eldest sister works as ground crew at an airport, earning minimum wage. Even when pooled together, their income barely stretches to meet the family's daily needs.
“It really isn't enough, so we just make do with what we have by scrimping and saving,” Mabatan shared, recounting how they would sometimes buy a single dish to last from morning to evening, and carefully reserve leftover cooked rice. At times, she would even skip meals herself.
In 2022, Mabatan lost her mother to Chronic Kidney Disease, which was diagnosed at an advanced stage. Not long after, the Mabatan family survived a tragic fire—a daunting test of their faith and endurance. Yet, the trials did not end there; Mabatan was later involved in a vehicular accident.
While walking to the market in 2025, she was struck by a jeepney. She suffered a severe injury to her left foot that was initially underdiagnosed, leaving her without the necessary surgery and resulting in a lasting deformity.
“It hurts whenever I walk for a long time, and the pain isn't just in my foot—it goes up to my ankle,” Mabatan expressed, looking down at her foot. Despite her physical pain, her determination to finish college has never wavered. Growing up in hardship, she actively sought out scholarship opportunities and worked tirelessly to get into a state-funded university to ease her family’s financial burden. She is now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Caloocan City.
“It's hard to find scholarships in Caloocan, so when we saw a Facebook post about the Tzu Chi scholarship, we immediately reached out to apply,” Mabatan recalled. She spoke with enthusiasm as she remembered looking into the organization during her application process.
“I was amazed by how far-reaching Tzu Chi is, not just in the Philippines but internationally. As I begin my journey with the foundation, I hope to learn, gain meaningful experiences—especially in volunteerism—and embrace the values that Tzu Chi teaches.”
Mabatan is among the 203 new scholars granted the opportunity to pursue their higher education through the Educational Assistance Program of Tzu Chi’s Charity Department. The program aims to support undergraduate students from various state colleges and universities across the country, empowering them to graduate and build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Before offering a message of gratitude to those who support the dreams of underprivileged students, Mabatan shared a poignant moment. Accompanied by her aunt during the scholarship awarding ceremony, she revealed that her stepfather—who lovingly stepped up to raise her—was rushed to the emergency room after coughing up blood. He suffers from recurring pulmonary tuberculosis and was recently diagnosed with a heart condition.
Through it all, Mabatan holds onto the hope that her family will soon be free from suffering, and that through the support of the Tzu Chi scholarship program, her dreams will gradually come within reach.
On September 12, 2026, at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, aspiring scholar Hannah Lyka Mabatan undergoes a panel interview with Tzu Chi volunteers, expressing her strong determination to qualify for the Educational Assistance Program.
Driven by her desire for a better future for her family, Hannah Lyka Mabatan (center) along with her stepfather (left) and youngest sister (right) was visited in their humble home in Caloocan City. And later on earned her place as one of the new Tzu Chi scholars.
Hannah Lyka Mabatan (center) shares a light moment with her fellow scholars during the awarding ceremony on September 13, 2026, at the Jing Si Hall, Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Filled with delight and gratitude, new scholar Hannah Lyka Mabatan (second from right ) receives her official Tzu Chi scholar ID from (from left) Tzu Chi Charity Run sponsor Lyn Gaw, Tzu Chi volunteer Rudy Ong, and Head Volunteer for Tzu Chi’s Educational and Medical Assistance Program Rosa So.