December 17, 2024
Live performances, fun games, and sustainable decor at Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines’ thanksgiving celebration
By Dorothy Castro
On December 13, Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines held its annual Thanksgiving celebration, wrapping up a year of success for 2024 with the 23 nursery, pre-kindergarten students, and their families.
Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines Directress Jane Sy expressed her gratitude for the parents’ and students’ efforts, for being hands-on, and for their willingness to share loving-kindness with communities in need this holiday season. “The spirit of Christmas teaches us the importance of kindness, compassion, and supporting one another. This year’s bake sale is the testament to that,” she shared.
Held on December 6, the preschool’s bake sale sold almost 2,000 cookies. The proceeds were dedicated to the charity programs of Tzu Chi Foundation. The collaborative process saw the community of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool, parents, students, teachers, and staff at the preschool work together from preparation to packaging of these delicious treats.
Sheena Tan, mother to Harper Tan, was happy to learn of the preschool’s bake sale success, appreciating how this activity not only taught students to be young entrepreneurs but also to become more compassionate towards others.
The event highlighted the theme “Winter Wonderland: A Gratitude Concert,” featuring the students’ captivating group performances and catchy group names: The Giggle Sleighers, Team Rudolph, Rockin’ Around Singers, and Happy Friends.
With more than a month’s worth of preparations, students showed exquisite performances, singing and dancing to popular holiday songs in their best costumes.
First-time participant and assistant teacher to the nursery class Marian “Yani” Carpo was delighted to be part of these preparations, from the artworks to the performances. During the concert, she happily guided the students as they danced their hearts out.
Parents were just as overjoyed, eagerly taking videos and photos of their children’s performances to share with their friends.
“I’m happy to spend the holidays [here] with my family and my daughter’s classmates,” says Raquel Tan, mother to Harmonie Tan. She especially enjoyed the fun competitions and her daughter’s performance. She especially highlighted how her daughter diligently practiced these performances at home.
“Seeing them today, all their hard work and practice, makes my mommy’s heart proud,” Sheena Tan shared.
The program was also an opportunity for Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines to display handmade eco-friendly crafts. Each family prepared a Christmas tree made from recycled materials, living up to a colorful, bright, and sustainable holiday season.
“This was the highlight of the day,” said Teacher Carpo. She recalled how the students and their families spent their free time collecting used milk cartons, newspapers, boxes, and cups to create the perfect tree.
Each holiday craft had its own time to shine. From the entrance to the red carpet, the children’s colorful artwork added a fun touch to the festivities.
Spreading the joyful spirit of Christmas, everyone enjoyed an evening of fun games and quality time with their children: they played the popular “Bring me” game, newspaper dance, and a “Pass the hula hoop” game.
Everyone was overjoyed, and the night ended with smiles. “It wouldn’t be a success without the parents, kids, and volunteers who helped us with this program,” Teacher Carpo gratefully expressed.
On December 13, Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines held its annual thanksgiving concert at the Jing Si Hall, Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa Manila.
Families enjoy taking photos at the “Winter Wonderland: A Gratitude Concert” welcome arch.
The event venue was adorned with the nursery and pre-kindergarten students’ Christmas crafts.
Families come together to support their beloved students for their performances at “Winter Wonderland: A Thanksgiving Concert.”
In preparation for this event, students created many crafts for the venue design.
This preschooler is dressed as Santa Claus.
Parents are welcomed by the nursery and pre-kindergarten students’ Christmas Crafts.
A family poses for a photo as they enter the venue for the “Winter Wonderland: A Thanksgiving Concert.”
Made by the nursery and pre-kindergarten students, beautiful snow globes with family pictures adorn the event venue.
A family poses for a photo during the “Winter Wonderland: A Thanksgiving Concert.”
Students’ eco-friendly Christmas trees line the bright red carpet.
Each student added a unique touch to their Christmas tree, from their favorite colors to their personal drawings.
Nursery and pre-kindergarten students came in their best holiday clothes, with these two wearing a famous snowman costume.
Students happily walk the red carpet, showing off their best costumes.
Students happily walk the red carpet, showing off their best costumes.
Named “The Giggle Sleighers,” these students put together a fun Christmas dance for their audience.
Team Rudolph with their fun Christmas carol dance.
Harper Tan (right) performs a rock Christmas carol for her family.
Rockin’ Around Singers display a show-stopping performance to rock versions of Christmas carols.
All nursery and pre-kindergarten students sing and dance for their last performance for the event.
Nursery and pre-kindergarten students, with their teachers, take a commemorative photo after their performances.
Proud parents and grandparents record the students’ performances.
The teachers thoughtfully prepared awards for students made using sweet treats and snacks, which they receive during the awarding.
Parents get creative in winning the newspaper dance game.
Parents get creative in winning the newspaper dance game.
Sheena Tan (third from left), mother to student Harper Tan, takes a family photo after winning the newspaper dance game.
Parent Raquel Tan (in yellow) enjoys a game of passing the hula hoop with fellow parents.
A student receives an award for his creative eco-friendly Christmas tree, made using recycled boxes and adorned with hand-drawn artworks.
Showing off their eco-friendly tree made using recycled newspapers, the pre-kindergarten student receives the Eco Warrior Champion (Nursery Division) award for her resourcefulness.
A student wins the Eco Warrior (Nursery Division) 2nd runner-up award for a very creative eco-friendly Christmas tree.
A student wins the Timeless Keeper award for using ice cream cups from her past birthday celebration to decorate her Christmas tree. It showed her dedication to saving recyclable items for future use.
A student wins the Eco-Designer award for his eco-friendly Christmas Tree that he decorated using his own art.
A student wins the Little Mr. Crowd Favorite award for his Christmas Tree, with used CDs as decoration.
A student wins the Eco Warrior Champion (Pre-Kindergarten Division) award for her creative Christmas tree made using bamboo.
A student wins the Eco Warrior Champion (Pre-Kindergarten Division) 1st runner-up award for his creative, eco-friendly Christmas tree, using dry leaves as decoration.
A student is awarded the Miss Crowd Favorite award, receiving the most number of likes for her Christmas tree design posts.
A student is given recognition for her creative Christmas tree, using repurposed coffee cups.
Nursery Teaching Assistant Marian “Yani” Carpo (center, in red headband) is always happy to guide her students.
Students, parents, teaching and non-teaching staff, and Tzu Chi volunteers pose for a group photo after the thanksgiving concert.