February 11, 2026
Running was their one good deed for the day
By Joy Rojas
Some run for exercise, others to compete, and still others to meet new friends.
And then there are those who run for something greater than themselves—a worthy cause, perhaps, or to help people in need.
Though Luciano Sehnem runs to keep fit, his first-ever road race was an opportunity to impact the lives of young students and their families. Living in the Philippines for a year, the Brazilian national learned about Tzu Chi Charity Run 2025 from his co-workers. “I heard that it is extremely well-organized and there are a lot of participants,” says Luciano who signed up for the 3K category. “This is a good reason for me to be here.”
As one of 6,866 runners who toed the starting line at Bridgetowne Destination Estate in Pasig City on February 8, Luciano helped support the studies of Tzu Chi’s 1,511 scholars under its Educational Assistance Program and 80 scholars in its Technical-Vocational Program.
“It's a very noble gesture, to promote knowledge and educate future generations,” he says of Tzu Chi’s mission of education. “Keep up the good work because we need such type of efforts.”
For Kendrick Yu, joining the 10K of Tzu Chi’s charity run marked the restart of his running era, which he paused for about a decade. In his comeback, he revived his passion for pledge runs, by inviting those in his close circle to donate to Tzu Chi’s scholarship program.
In the past, he ran long distances for abandoned infants, and financially challenged patients at a government hospital. At Tzu Chi’s charity run, he raised over P20,000 for the foundation’s indigent scholars.
“If you can hit two birds with one stone, why not?” says Kendrick, who accounts for his donors’ pledges by presenting them with receipts. “You're doing this for your own personal fulfillment and your health, at the same time, you can help other people.”
To the charity run’s beneficiaries, he says, “Appreciate the work that people have been putting in for you. I hope that you get to pay it forward also.”
Knowing that more scholars stood to gain from a large gathering at the charity run, Jaynard Jasmin convinced 157 of his officemates to join. “We can do a good deed by registering to this event,” he reminded them.
The 10K runner, who participated in the first charity run in 2024, has a long history with Tzu Chi. In 2017, he taught values formation to youngsters in Jing Si Time for Kids. Today, he continues to volunteer at scholars’ monthly Humanity classes. “They need to study hard, finish their studies. This is the way they can have a bright future” is his message to Tzu Chi’s scholars.
If Jaynard is a staunch advocate of education, it’s because he was once a scholar too. The former youth council member of his community studied through funding from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“That’s why I see myself in these scholars,” he says. “Poverty shouldn’t stop you from getting an education.”
Running is many things to many people. To these three and others like them, running Tzu Chi’s event was one small act of kindness, whose effect on thousands of scholars and their families will ripple on and on.
In his first-ever road race, Brazilian national Luciano Sehnem ran Tzu Chi Charity Run 2025’s 3K category. “I heard that it is extremely well-organized and there are a lot of participants,” he says.
10K runner Jaynard Jasmin didn’t just sign up for the charity run, he convinced 157 of his co-workers to join too. “We can do a good deed by registering to this event,” he reminded them.
Pledge runner Kendrick Uy raised more than P20,000 for scholars by participating in the 10K category of the charity run. “You're doing this for your own personal fulfillment and your health, at the same time, you can help other people,” he says.
Scholars held up signs with positive messages to encourage runners along the course.
Tzu Chi’s coin can, which sprung from Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s earliest volunteers saving 50 cents a day to help the poor, inspired the charity run’s coveted finisher’s medals.
Fundraising also came by way of these colorful crafts handmade and sold by the scholars.
The Victor, reputed as the world’s tallest lighting projector (at 55 meters), looms over runners enjoying a post-run stroll around the Race Village in Bridgetowne Destination Estate.