February 19, 2025
Two volunteer trainees are following in family members’ footsteps
By Joy Rojas
Ask people why they volunteer with the Tzu Chi Foundation and the answers are as unique and special as the storytellers themselves. For the women from Tacloban, Leyte, who participated in the New Volunteers Camp on February 15-16 at Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, it was a chance to be on the giving end after receiving life-changing relief from Tzu Chi volunteers following the sheer devastation and deaths caused by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013.
For two participants whose respective family members have been with Tzu Chi for years, the decision to join the camp was spurred by what the foundation has to offer: a culture of compassion and many opportunities to extend the sincerest form of help—with no agenda or expectation.
Growing up in a multi-generational household that included his grandmother Linda Chua, Ken Chua had just graduated from high school when he noticed that she was not your typical grandma. “She was very busy. I would always hear about her going to this province, that province,” he says. “And there were meetings in the house, but I didn’t know what was going on.”
Only recently did he learn of her crucial role in the foundation’s history. The first CEO of Tzu Chi Philippines (1994-2001), she was instrumental in establishing the Buddhist humanitarian organization in the country 30 years ago.
The New Volunteers Camp further opened his eyes. “Through the presentations, I realized how big Tzu Chi is and the extent of its help,” he says. “I’m really proud. What a huge achievement for my grandma.”
Ken, who immersed himself in the Tzu Chi way by attending its bazaars and other events, plans on inviting his 16-year-old daughter to volunteer. If she agrees, then there would be four generations of Tzu Chi volunteers in their family. Ken’s aunt, Willin Chan, is also a Tzu Chi volunteer.
Interpreting his grandmother’s advice to him in English, Ken says, “She hopes the younger generation will follow in her footsteps and help other people. We may be of different religions, but when we help, we’re all the same.”
Tzu Chi volunteer Catherine Ching isn’t as active as she used to be, but when she heard that Annie Ong was attending the camp, she made sure to show up. Though not related by blood (the husband of Catherine’s sister and Annie are relatives), Catherine is like a mother to Annie, who certainly needed the care and guidance of a parent after she ran away from home at age 11.
Selling rags and living off the streets when she chanced upon Catherine, a headstrong Annie took up her aunt’s offer to live with her and finish high school with her support.
The arrangement lasted three years, after which “she released me,” says Annie. It was a precarious move, but the risk paid off. Through tutorial services, Annie saved enough money to put up a burger joint across a school. She graduated from college, thanks to help she received from others during hard times. Now a mother of two, she runs a tutorial center and large-format printing company.
But she never forgot Catherine’s tough and unconditional love, which molded her into the person she is today. Inspired by her aunt’s willingness to help without hesitation, Annie hoped to do the same for others someday.
The opportunity came when Catherine mentioned that she saw Annie’s brother confined in a mental facility where Tzu Chi volunteers were conducting a medical mission. “That’s the only time I knew Auntie was with Tzu Chi,” says Annie.
Years later, when her children were a little older, Annie asked her aunt how she could get into Tzu Chi. Catherine patched her up with longtime volunteer Pacita Letran, which led Annie to the camp.
The event served as a reunion of sorts for the ladies, who hadn’t seen each other in four years. The time apart, however, did little to diminish their genuine affection for each other.
“I have a lot of aunties, but she’s different. Whenever she wants to scold me, she’ll take me to a restaurant and feed me first!” says Annie with a laugh. “Auntie, thank you for everything.”
“It’s okay,” says a soft-spoken Catherine, who left her niece with these reassuring words for her life’s latest chapter. “Do your best. Do everything good. In everything, be good. As long as you’re good, I’m happy.”
Tzu Chi Philippines’ first CEO Linda Chua pins a name tag on her grandson Ken before the start of the New Volunteers Camp.
A Tzu Chi volunteer for 14 years, Catherine Ching welcomes her niece Annie Ong to the two-day New Volunteers Camp by assisting her with her name tag.
Participants in the two-day New Volunteers Camp included women from Tacloban, Leyte, who were among the beneficiaries of Tzu Chi following the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013.
Growing up in a multi-generational household that included his grandmother Linda Chua (left), Ken Chua didn’t realize her crucial role in Tzu Chi Philippines until recently and in the talks presented at the New Volunteers Camp. “I’m really proud,” he says. “What a huge achievement for my grandma.”
Though not related by blood, Catherine Ching (left) and Annie Ong have a genuine affection for each other. Annie credits Catherine’s tough and unconditional love for shaping her into the person she is today. “Auntie, thank you for everything,” she says. “As long as you’re good, I’m happy,” says Catherine.
At the New Volunteers Camp, Annie Ong (center) participates in a sign language performance.
Ken Chua learns the Tzu Chi hand gesture after bowing three times in respect to Dharma Master Cheng Yen and Buddha.
Before the end of the camp, Ken Chua shares his takeaways with fellow volunteer trainees.
Annie Ong receives angpao from Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez. The red envelope contains a commemorative coin and three rice seeds from Dharma Master Cheng Yen.