February 8, 2024
Tzu Chi hosts Chinese New Year Get-Together for honorary members
By Joy Rojas
At the Honorary Members Chinese New Year Get-Together on February 3 at Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa. Manila, guest of honor Ambassador Francis Chua graciously posed with each person who approached him for a photo.
But when the ambassador—a respected businessman, philanthropist, and self-described “modest member of Tzu Chi Foundation”—requested for a picture with the hardworking team behind the vegetarian hot pot dinner served in a charming outdoor setting of Chinese lanterns and lights, the volunteers happily obliged.
“They were exposed to the heat of the noontime sun when they were setting up tables and hanging lights and lanterns earlier,” says Tzu Chi Deputy CEO Wilson Hung. “Preparations for this event started a week ago. Thank you to everyone.”
Thanks were also in order to the honorary members who quietly and consistently supported Tzu Chi through the years. In a 2023 report presented by Tzu Chi Deputy CEO Hung, Tzu Chi covered the tuition and allowances of 1,696 scholars through its educational assistance program, trained 36 students in its Technical-Vocational program, extended relief to 8,228 survivors of disasters, and attended to the medical needs of 5,048 patients through its large-scale medical missions.
“We have about 400 honorary members in attendance today,” says volunteer Willy Sy in his message to Dharma Master Cheng Yen and the nuns in the Abbott. “I’m very happy and thankful in this auspicious day.”
For honorary members, the chance to unwind and spend time with family and friends over a sumptuous meal prepared by volunteers was priceless. Before the evening was over, each guest was given a bag of fresh round fruits and tokens of good luck, as well as a special gift from Master Cheng Yen: an ampao with a commemorative coin and three grains of rice—all symbols of wisdom, discipline, and determination.
“Tzu Chi is not a place about money,” says Ambassador Chua, honorary members overall convenor. “Tzu Chi is a place of compassion. Tzu Chi is a place that you devote your time, your effort to help your fellow man. You might be rich, but it’s not important. The important thing is you are willing to share. Especially since we have so many, many poor Filipino brothers and sisters who need our help, whether in education, medicine, or in whatever way.
“I appeal to each and every one of you: Do your best, to the best of your effort. If you do not have money, it’s not important. You just do volunteer work. For those who have money, we welcome that you share it so we can use it to help more people in return and accomplish the missions of Master.”
Honorary Members Overall Convenor Ambassador Francis Chua (left) and his wife Betty were the guests of honor at the Honorary Members Chinese New Year Get-Together on February 3 at Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
When Honorary Members Overall Convenor Ambassador Francis Chua (fourth from left, with wife Betty, in red) suddenly asked for a photo with the volunteers behind the sumptuous hot pot dinner, the team behind the hot pot station happily obliged. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi volunteers covered all the bases in ensuring the Honorary Members Chinese New Year Get-Together would be an unforgettable experience. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi volunteers covered all the bases in ensuring the Honorary Members Chinese New Year Get-Together would be an unforgettable experience. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi volunteers covered all the bases in ensuring the Honorary Members Chinese New Year Get-Together would be an unforgettable experience. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi volunteers covered all the bases in ensuring the Honorary Members Chinese New Year Get-Together would be an unforgettable experience. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi volunteers covered all the bases in ensuring the Honorary Members Chinese New Year Get-Together would be an unforgettable experience. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Taking advantage of the cool weather, Tzu Chi volunteers set up the hot pot dinner al fresco. Chinese lanterns and lights gave the space a charming and cozy ambiance. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Taking advantage of the cool weather, Tzu Chi volunteers set up the hot pot dinner al fresco. Chinese lanterns and lights gave the space a charming and cozy ambiance. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Before the dinner, guests gathered at the Jing Si Hall for a short program hosted by Mary Pue Chi Uy and Lino Sy. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez wished guests a Happy Chinese New Year. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEO Wilson Hung presented Tzu Chi’s accomplishments in a 2023 report. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi Philippines’ first CEO Linda Chua talked about the future outlook. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
At the Jing Si Hall, a guest poses next to a bamboo arrangement where donations are dropped. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
At the Jing Si Hall, a guest checks out the images in a Tzu Chi Photo Exhibit. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
At the Jing Si Hall, guests watch videos of Tzu Chi’s milestones in 2023. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
“Tzu Chi is not a place about money,” says Ambassador Francis Chua, honorary members overall convenor. “Tzu Chi is a place of compassion. Tzu Chi is a place that you devote your time, your effort to help your fellowman.” 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
“We have about 400 honorary members in attendance today,” says volunteer Willy Sy in his message to Dharma Master Cheng Yen and the nuns in the Abbott. “I’m very happy and thankful in this auspicious day.” 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
The dinner was a chance for guests and volunteers to unwind and spend time with family and friends over a delicious vegetarian meal. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
The dinner was a chance for guests and volunteers to unwind and spend time with family and friends over a delicious vegetarian meal. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
The dinner was a chance for guests and volunteers to unwind and spend time with family and friends over a delicious vegetarian meal. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
The dinner was a chance for guests and volunteers to unwind and spend time with family and friends over a delicious vegetarian meal. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Volunteers present guests with a bag of fresh round fruits and tokens of good luck, as well as a special gift from Master Cheng Yen: an ampao with a commemorative coin and three grains of rice representing wisdom, discipline, and determination. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Volunteers present guests with a bag of fresh round fruits and tokens of good luck, as well as a special gift from Master Cheng Yen: an ampao with a commemorative coin and three grains of rice representing wisdom, discipline, and determination. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Volunteers present guests with a bag of fresh round fruits and tokens of good luck, as well as a special gift from Master Cheng Yen: an ampao with a commemorative coin and three grains of rice representing wisdom, discipline, and determination. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】