May 21, 2025
Scholars receive free prescription glasses, sneakers at 9th Humanity class
By Joy Rojas
It was a particularly special Humanity class on May 17 as Tzu Chi Philippines volunteers partnered with like-minded organizations to provide 222 scholars with free prescription glasses from international optical retailer Paris Miki, and 290 scholars with free sneakers from local footwear brand Shubizz.
In the morning, the Jing Si Auditorium of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, served as a massive, bustling eye clinic, where each scholar underwent an assessment of their vision through an automated refractor and visual acuity test conducted by professional optometrists from Japan Eye Center and Paris Miki. Those who required glasses chose frames from a variety of options.
“What I really appreciate is everybody is doing social work from the bottom of their heart. It’s not just to promote something,” says Tokusen Aoki, who established the Japan-based Paris Miki in the Philippines in 2016. “It feels good that some people are really caring about other people. I really appreciate that and to be given this opportunity to help.”
Tokusen met Tzu Chi through Lions International official Sammay Yuquico, whose initiative with her husband, “Sight for Kids,” has supported the eye health of Filipino youth for over 17 years. Funded by multinational corporation Johnson & Johnson, the school-based “Sight for Kids” has provided students from over 8,000 public schools across the country with free screenings and prescription glasses. Of late, even surgical procedures are being offered to correct vision.
“Most of them don't know they're deficient in eye vision,” explains Yuquico, a friend of Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So. “So we are so happy when they finally say, ‘Oh, I can see now!’
“It's very fulfilling knowing that you can help so many children see clearly,” she adds. “For all we know, they are our future leaders. They can uplift their condition also if they have better education and with better eyesight.”
After a talk on youth empowerment by Tzu Chi volunteer Lineth Brondial followed by lunch, scholars returned to the Jing Si Auditorium to fit their size of their preferred sneaker style—from slip-ons to those with traditional shoelaces.
New shoes are a luxury for Angelo Luis Falcutila, whose only pair is the one he had on for class. The rest of the time, the 20-year-old from Dr. Josefa Jara Martinez High School gets around in slippers.
The eldest of four who lost both his parents to illnesses has been a Tzu Chi scholar since Grade 9. Though he planned to stop schooling to work, his grandmother, Tzu Chi volunteer Editha Falcutila, noticed he was a conscientious student, and entered him in the foundation’s Educational Assistance Program.
Yet even with his allowances, Falcutila would rather use his money for projects and other expenses for school. Receiving a new pair of shoes means one less necessity to worry about.
“It felt smooth and fit well,” he says of the sneakers he picked. “Thank you to the Tzu Chi Foundation. I now have new shoes to wear to Humanity class.”
Shubizz, one of the brands under retail company Charter International Incorporated, originally pledged 1,000 pairs to Tzu Chi. “But when we gave our letter of gratitude to them, they increased their donation to 1,600 shoes,” says Clifford Co, Tzu Chi partnerships officer. “We're very thankful for partners like Charter International for their significant donation to our scholars. Not all of our scholars have good footwear, and especially as they go into the workforce, they will need it. Of course, the more comfortable, the better.”
Ultimately, these shoes do more than protect and support feet. To those who wear them, they lift the spirit, boost confidence, and motivate them to do and be their best.
Having tied up with Tzu Chi by providing prosthetic legs to children and amputees through the foundation’s Jaipur Foot Prosthesis Project in its Zamboanga chapter, Atty. Eduardo Escaño hopes the 1,600 pairs from Shubizz “not only provide mobility but also can inspire the recipients to do good and to do good work.”
“A lot of people are not able to do good work because they lack material things,” says Atty. Escaño, who represented Charter International Incorporated. “Hopefully, with this donation, we can somehow inspire them to continue and don't give up.”
At the ninth Humanity class on May 17, 222 scholars availed of a free eye checkup and prescription glasses from Paris Miki, and 290 took home sneakers from Shubizz.
Tokusen Aoki of Paris Miki checks a scholar’s eyes through an automated refractor. “What I really appreciate is everybody is doing social work from the bottom of their heart,” he says.
Tokusen Aoki of Paris Miki checks a scholar’s eyes through an automated refractor. “What I really appreciate is everybody is doing social work from the bottom of their heart,” he says.
A scholar reads letters on a Snellen chart during a visual acuity test conducted by an optometrist.
A scholar reads letters on a Snellen chart during a visual acuity test conducted by an optometrist.
An optometrist samples different graded lenses on a scholar.
An optometrist samples different graded lenses on a scholar.
An optometrist samples different graded lenses on a scholar.
Scholars who require glasses try various frames on for size.
Acer Dane Nacario (right) checks on an eyeglass frame in the mirror. “Thank you to Tzu Chi because opportunities like a free eye checkup and free eyeglasses are a big help for students like me.”
(From left) Paris Miki’s Tokusen Aoki, Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez, Lions International official Sammay Yuquico, and Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So worked together to provide free eye checkups to over 200 Tzu Chi scholars.
Tzu Chi volunteer Lineth Brondial (left) receives a token of appreciation from Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So after presenting a Humanity class on youth empowerment.
In the afternoon, scholars returned to the Jing Si Auditorium to each receive a pair sneakers from Shubizz. Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (third from left) joins scholars as they show off the brand’s different styles.
A Tzu Chi staff bows as she presents a scholar with her new pair of sneakers.
A scholar fits a new pair of sneakers.
Before Angelo Luis Falcutila got this pair of sneakers from Shubizz, he owned a single pair of shoes, which he saved for school. The rest of the time, he wore slippers. “Thank you to the Tzu Chi Foundation,” says the 20-year-old from Dr. Josefa Jara Martinez High School. “I now have new shoes to wear to Humanity class and other important errands.”
Footwear brand Shubizz pledged 1,600 pairs of sneakers to Tzu Chi Foundation's scholars in the National Capital Region and regional chapters.