July 4, 2024
Tzu Chi hosts symbolic ceremony for 130 graduating scholars
By Joy Rojas
Graduating college scholars marched in a symbolic ceremony held on the last day of Tzu Chi’s annual Scholars’ Camp from June 28 to 30 at the Jing Si Auditorium of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Of the 130 graduating seniors, 14 are from Zamboanga, 18 are from Cebu, six are from Palo, four are from Pampanga, and 70 are from the National Capital Region.
The batch also includes 38 scholars graduating with Latin honors: 22 cum laude, 14 magna cum laude, and two summa cum laude. The scholars with the highest honors—Kenneth Lagonilla, Bachelor of Secondary Education (Major in Filipino) from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; and Chatline Joy dela Cruz, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Major in Financial Management) from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines—addressed fellow scholars in respective speeches filled with gratitude.
“You didn’t just provide me with financial assistance, you taught me discipline and to show respect for all living beings,” said Lagonilla, the eldest of six children of a tricycle driver. “To my fellow scholars, let’s not forget the organization that brought light into our lives. As our uncles and auntie would say, any donation, whether big or small, is enough to fulfill Tzu Chi’s mission of extending help to those who need it.”
“Through the kindness of Tzu Chi, I became the best version of myself,” says Dela Cruz, whose father, also a tricycle driver, passed away before seeing what his daughter achieved. “Tzu Chi invested time, patience, and effort to mold us. Let us help them mold more scholars in the future. Let’s give back to the community who saw the goodness in us.”
Scholars cheered wildly when Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez announced cash awards for those graduating with honors. Cum laude graduates will each receive P3,000; magna cum laude graduates will each get P5,000; and the two summa cum laude graduates will be awarded with P10,000.
Congratulations to all the graduating Tzu Chi scholars!
One hundred thirty graduating scholars pose for a group shot at the Jing Si Auditorium.
Graduating scholars enter the Jing Si Auditorium in disciplined fashion.
Graduating scholars enter the Jing Si Auditorium in disciplined fashion.
Kenneth Lagonilla (second from right), who graduates summa cum laude from his Bachelor of Secondary Education (Major in Filipino) from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, receives a symbolic Certificate of Completion from Tzu Chi Davao Deputy OIC Ang Mei Yuan (first from left), Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So (second from left), and Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (first from right).
Flanked by Tzu Chi Deputy CEO Woon Ng (left) and Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteer Harvey Yap (right), Chatline Joy dela Cruz holds up her symbolic Certificate of Completion. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Major in Financial Management) from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines graduates a summa cum laude.
“To my fellow scholars, let’s not forget the organization that brought light into our lives,” said Kenneth Lagonilla to his fellow scholars.
Graduating scholars pledge their loyalty and commitment to Tzu Chi’s mission, vision, and values as proud alumni of the Educational Assistance Program of Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines.
Overcome with happiness, as she celebrates her birthday on the same day as the symbolic graduation ceremony, Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So encourages the graduating scholars to volunteer with the foundation. “Don’t ever think that you need money to help another person. Time is very important.”
Tzu Chi Charity Department Head Tina Pasion (right) is all smiles as Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez announces cash awards for scholars graduating with honors.
Summa cum laude Kenneth Lagonilla (second from right) and magna cum laude Paolo Nicole Santos (third from right; Bachelor of Library and Information Science from the Philippine Normal University, and Tzu Chi Scholars’ Camp Head) cheer at the announcement of cash awards for those graduating with honors.