December 9, 2024
Preschoolers and parents bake pre-ordered cookies at BTCC
By Arvin Yanga
“With extra love.”
That's how Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Directress and volunteer Jane Sy described the cookies made at the third annual holiday bake sale. Simple as it sounds, her description encapsulated a compassionate heart beating for those in need.
In the aromatic bakery of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, 17 preschoolers joined forces with their parents, five teachers, and three non-teaching staff on December 6 to bake cookies in four different flavors: chocolate chip, dark chocolate chip, classic oatmeal, and chocolate chubster. A box of six costs PHP450.
“It’s been a tradition that every holiday season, the families, the staff, together with the students and some volunteers, help bake something to raise funds so that we could help some less- fortunate people and kids,” Sy explained.
The event has evolved beautifully over the years, with preschoolers baking cupcakes in 2022, chocolate bars last year, and now cookies. Each time, they create goodies with extra effort, patience, and dedication, aiming not just to satisfy sweet cravings but to alleviate the suffering of others.
Despite his young age, 4-year-old preschool student Bryce Theodore Cochan fully understands the compassionate purpose behind the baking activity. "We baked cookies!" he exclaimed cheerfully. "To help people!" he added, his giggles reflecting both innocence and understanding.
Beyond supporting Tzu Chi's charity programs, the activity provided a precious opportunity for parents to strengthen bonds with their children while experiencing the rewarding spirit of volunteerism
Twenty-seven-year-old Miguel Lazaro, who works from Mondays to Saturdays, deliberately cleared his schedule to participate in the baking activity with his daughter, Lia Katherine, for the first time. He enrolled Lia in Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines hoping she would learn important values—to be respectful, independent, and sociable.
“My daughter is very close with her teachers,” Lazaro shared. “It doesn't feel like a classroom but more like a family gathering, which I believe significantly contributes to her learning.”
Sy genuinely appreciated parents like him who made time during the busy Christmas season. “We're thrilled that parents have taken time from their hectic schedules,” she said. “We understand that during Christmas in the Philippines, everything is extra busy and traffic-laden. Yet, some parents took a leave from work just to participate in our activity today.”
For the parents, the experience was both fun and meaningful. As Lazaro succinctly put it, “One word: fun. And a great way to spend time with my daughter.”
Orders are still being accepted for a second dispatch on December 14. Those seeking unique gift items while supporting a noble cause can contact Jely at 0969-472-4048 for orders.
Ensuring moisture and flavor to the cookies, a parent guides her daughter in beating eggs into the creamed butter and sugar, one at a time.
Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines Directress and volunteer Jane Sy (right) instructs students and their parents on the correct amount of dry ingredients to add.
Baking cookies is not just an activity but a way to bring Miguel Lazaro (right) and his daughter Lia Katherine closer. “This is a great way for me to spend time with my daughter,” he says.
Baking cookies is not just an activity but a way to bring Miguel Lazaro (right) and his daughter Lia Katherine closer. “This is a great way for me to spend time with my daughter,” he says.
A parent carries her daughter to witness the beating of the mixed ingredients for optimal volume and texture while being cautious of her child’s safety from the electric mixer.
Dedicated to safeguarding the best quality of cookies that the students and parents will bake, school directress and Tzu Chi volunteer Jane Sy teaches everyone the proper way of baking delectable cookies from the heart.
Harmony in baking: As the parent scoops out the cookie dough from the kitchen scale, guaranteeing a 50-gram net weight, this student presses the ball-sized dough on a baking sheet.
School directress and volunteer Jane Sy encourages the students to place the shaped cookie dough in the pre-heated oven with utmost safety and guidance.
“We baked cookies to help people!” A short but sweet sentiment from 4-year-old preschool student, Bryce Theodore Cochan (right). Who would have thought that a kid this young was already compassionate and aware of the purpose of what he’s doing?
These are no ordinary cookies, but chocolate chubster cookies made with love–not just a love between parents and their children, but a love for people in need.
These are no ordinary cookies, but chocolate chip cookies made with love–not just a love between parents and their children, but a love for people in need.
As families participated in the third annual Holiday Bake Sale of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines, they did not just bake cookies; they also forged long-lasting memories and a felt fulfillment in helping the charity programs of the foundation.