August 4, 2026
Self-awareness, values formation at first Humanities class
By Joy Rojas
Mary Joy Bajade has only been a Tzu Chi scholar since December 2025, but even before attending the first Humanities class for the academic schoolyear, the fittingly themed “Self-Awareness and Personal Values Formation” held on August 2 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, she’s adopted many of the foundation’s core teachings.
“The value from Tzu Chi that stands out for me is being compassionate,” said the incoming third year Quezon City University student taking her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. “I used to think that to help people, you need to give them money. But simple actions or being sincere in helping is enough.”
Through Tzu Chi’s influence, she has become active in volunteer work. Master Cheng Yen’s gentle teachings have also made her more forgiving, more patient, and more grateful.
She’s especially thankful for the opportunity to study, a privilege that youths tend to take for granted. One of three children of an electrician, she remembers bracing herself for Tzu Chi’s decision regarding her scholarship application.
“I heard my parents say that if Tzu Chi doesn’t accept me, I would have to stop my studying,” she said. “So, when I got accepted, I was so happy! It meant I didn’t have to work. I could just focus on my education.”
Grateful as well for the opportunity to study is Aisha Ceneta Saykalabe. Originally from Albay in Bicol, she’s one of several scholars bound for Taiwan, where she will take up nursing at Tzu Chi University. “Nursing has been my dream since a long time ago,” says Saykalabe, who got her Tzu Chi scholarship through a recommendation from her principal at Tabaco Pei Ching School. “I look forward to meeting new people and volunteering in Taiwan.”
When it isn’t highlighting Master Cheng Yen’s teachings, Humanities classes cover a broad range of practical and relevant topics that appeal to a wide audience. Accompanying her daughter Janelle Pauline, a 12th grader at the Manila Patriotic School and a Tzu Chi scholar since Grade 4 to the monthly classes, Delia Banzon Ong eagerly anticipates each session.
“You’ve had doctors, fire fighters, and other speakers. I learn a lot,” she said. “We’ve never been absent or late. Even when it’s raining, we’re here.”
For Ong, a solo parent to five children since her husband passed away in 2020, Humanities classes support her in ingraining Janelle Pauline with qualities that will see her through life: helpfulness, kindness, politeness, and humility.
Whether they were attending August 2’s Humanities class for the first time or the nth time, Tzu Chi scholars and their companions had much to reflect on.
Through guest speaker Heart Baquilar’s sharing, they learned how a scholarship paved the way for her not only to finish her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at the Philippine Normal University, but to graduate cum laude and head the 2026 scholars’ camp.
Once immersed in Tzu Chi culture, she involved herself in volunteer work, including Fiesta Verde 2025, where she and fellow scholars sold handmade crafts and raised P44,000, which they donated to the construction of the Tzu Chi Medical Center. She now spreads the values that she learned from Humanities classes to the young students at Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines, where she works as a learning support assistant teacher and after school care teacher.
Later, an activity led by Cherrie Rose Ang, Tzu Chi alumni batch 2015 and head of Volunteer Development and Mission Support, invited scholars to introspect on how well they know themselves.
This Humanities class saw the attendance of 362 scholars, or an attendance rate of 91.2 percent. Scholars from the National Capital Region numbered 208; Bicol, 18; Pampanga, 23; Palo, 20; and Zamboanga, 40. Iloilo and Davao recorded a complete attendance of all its scholars at 17 and 36, respectively.
On August 2, 2026, Tzu Chi’s first Humanities class for the academic schoolyear focused on “Self-Awareness and Personal Values Formation.” A total of 362 scholars from seven Tzu Chi chapters attended the class.
Tzu Chi Pampanga scholars attend Humanities class.
Tzu Chi Davao Deputy OIC Mei Yuen Ang (center) addresses scholars during their Humanities class.
Tzu Chi Iloilo scholars follow a dance played on a screen.
Tzu Chi Palo’s Humanities class included interactive activities.
Tzu Chi Bicol scholars and volunteers gather for a group photo next to Master Cheng Yen’s portrait.
In Tzu Chi Zamboanga, a scholar shares his reflections on the topic.
Also attending their first Humanities class were the Tzu Chi scholars bound for Tzu Chi University in Taiwan to study nursing.
Cherrie Rose Ang, Tzu Chi alumni batch 2015 and head of Volunteer Development and Mission Support, guided scholars on an activity of self-awareness.
The parts of a tree were used for scholars to identify key aspects of their life.
Scholars plotted out their family history, daily routines, skills, talents, and personal values in their illustration of a tree.
Scholars plotted out their family history, daily routines, skills, talents, and personal values in their illustration of a tree.
Scholars plotted out their family history, daily routines, skills, talents, and personal values in their illustration of a tree.
Delia Banzon Ong (in long sleeves), mother of Grade 12 Tzu Chi scholar Janelle Pauline, has never missed a Humanities class since her daughter was in fourth grade. “We learn a lot,” she said.
She may have graduated, but Tzu Chi scholar Heart Baquilar continues to volunteer with Tzu Chi. After sharing her Tzu Chi scholar journey on stage, she participated in the collection of donations for Tzu Chi’s Educational Assistance Program.
Incoming third year college scholar Mary Joy Bajade credits Tzu Chi’s teachings for making her more compassionate, patient, forgiving, and grateful.
Humanities classes continued at the Harmony Hall, where scholars broke into two groups and participated in activities led by Tzu Chi Youth volunteers from Taiwan and Malaysia.
Scholars listen as a member of Tzu Chi Youth explains the different activities organized in Tzu Chi Taiwan.
Head Volunteer for the Educational and Medical Assistance Programs Rosa So leads the distribution of birthday gifts to August-born scholars.