September 24, 2024
Tzu Chi hosts its Scholars’ Alumni Homecoming
By Joy Rojas
Seventy-six Tzu Chi scholars from 2007 to 2024 met for an afternoon of reminiscing, reconnecting, and recommitting to the foundation that changed their lives in the Scholars’ Alumni Homecoming organized on September 22 at the Jing Si Hall of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus, Sta. Mesa, Manila.
“I’m so happy to see you all,” said Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So. “After all these years, you’re back home.
“As we gather here today, we are reminded of the impact that Tzu Chi and Master Cheng Yen have had on the lives of countless individuals and communities,” she continued. “We are proud of the work that we have done together, and we are proud to have played a role in shaping the lives of those who have been touched by our foundation’s help.”
Edelyn Galos certainly wouldn’t be who she is today—a senior labor and employment officer of the Department of Labor & Employment—were it not for her Tzu Chi scholarship from 2009 to 2013 and her determination to give herself a better life. A native of Oriental Mindoro, she and her four siblings were raised by different relatives because their parents couldn’t earn enough to support them.
After high school, Galos knew that college would remain a dream if she stayed put. So, at 15, she left her home province for Marikina, where she juggled her studies with chores as a house helper. Super Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009 led her to the Tzu Chi Foundation and its educational assistance program, which she applied for through the Office of Student Affairs of her alma mater, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
While Tzu Chi’s scholarship honed her academically, its Humanity classes developed her sense of compassion. Galos recalls visiting Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, a non-government organization for the orthopedically challenged. She also participated in Tzu Chi’s relief efforts for fire victims.
Inspired by the Tzu Chi way of helping without expectation, the mass communications graduate chose the life of a public servant, “using the teachings of Master Cheng Yen in my work. I may have graduated, but I take with me the values that I learned from Tzu Chi wherever I go.”
Before Miguel Gero Mancera’s father passed away this April, he experienced the fruits of the Tzu Chi scholarship that saw his son through nursing school at City University of Pasay from 2013 to 2017. A head nurse of World City Medical Center, Mancera made sure his father, a utility man, got the best medical care possible.
“I had him admitted in the floor where I worked. I had my nurses attend to him, and even asked the doctors to check on him,” he said. When it was time to settle the bill, the 10 doctors who looked after his father either slashed their professional fees or waived them entirely.
As such, Mancera, who learned of Tzu Chi’s scholarship through his aunt, a Tzu Chi volunteer, is inclined to give back. He’s open to participating in Tzu Chi’s medical missions and outreach programs.
For Mancera, the Tzu Chi Foundation “grounded me in choosing the right actions and paths in life. It led me to a place where I am more than content, and I am the person that I want to be, a person who helps others in their time of need. It helped me be a better person.”
Now Galos, Mancera, and fellow alumni are being tapped by the foundation to make better people out of future scholars. In his closing remarks, Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez invited them to be facilitators of scholars’ monthly Humanity classes.
“We have graduated a total of more than 13,000 scholars [since 1995]. But our program is not successful yet,” says Yuñez. “Our program can only be considered a success if you become volunteers. Pay it forward.
“If you can contribute monetarily, by all means. But you can also contribute your time. Be a volunteer in guiding the new batches of scholars.”
Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So (front row, first from left) and Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (front row, first from right) pose with batch representatives at the Tzu Chi Scholars’ Alumni Homecoming.
Tzu Chi scholar representatives from 2007, 2008, and 2009
Tzu Chi scholar representatives from 2012 and 2013
Tzu Chi scholar representatives from 2016
Tzu Chi scholars representatives from 2017
Tzu Chi scholar representatives from 2019 and 2020
Tzu Chi scholar representatives from 2022 and 2023
Tzu Chi scholar representatives from 2024
Dillon Gonzales (left) shares a light moment with alumni homecoming hosts Paolo Nicole Santos and Jovielyn Pichuela (in Tzu Chi vests).
“We are proud of the work that we have done together, and we are proud to have played a role in shaping the lives of those who have been touched by our foundation’s help,” said Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So.
In a sharing segment moderated by scholar Johniel Tuando (first from left), Edelyn Galos (second from left) traces her journey from house helper to Tzu Chi scholar and now senior officer of the Department of Labor & Employment. Also part of the sharing are Ronnel Ojas (second from right) and Edison Lalimarmo (first from right).
Miguel Gero Mancera (second from left) joins his batchmates in a game of Human Bingo.
Tzu Chi scholar alumni from the US, Germany, London, and other parts of the world participate in the alumni homecoming via Zoom.
Gelly Mancera, mother of Miguel Gero Mancera, has kept many mementos of her son’s scholar days, including his Tzu Chi uniform, which she proudly displays.
Tzu Chi volunteers reminisce as they look through the photo album of Gelly Mancera (first from left), mother of scholar Miguel Gero Mancera.
“In my eight years handling social work for scholarships, I’ve had the privilege to witness your incredible journey,” said Tzu Chi volunteer Karen Palermo. “When I looked back at the pictures of you as scholars, I’ve seen your transformation, your ‘glow up.’ I’m very happy to be part of it.”
Tzu Chi volunteer Cherrie Rose Ang explains how the Tzu Chi educational assistance program has evolved through the years.
For Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez, the Tzu Chi educational assistance program can only be considered successful if scholars come back to volunteer.
Tzu Chi scholars perform the 2024 Scholars’ Camp song “Sail Your Story.”
Tzu Chi scholars perform the 2024 Scholars’ Camp song “Sail Your Story.”
Scholar alumni join in the singing and dancing of the 2024 Scholars’ Camp song “Sail Your Story.”
Tzu Chi scholar alumni sing and sign “One Family.”
Tzu Chi scholars from different batches take home happy memories of the alumni homecoming.