February 1, 2024
Tzu Chi partners attend Year-End Blessing
By Joy Rojas
It was a year of natural disasters and nations at war, of global boiling and the rising cost of basic goods.
Yet there was also so much to be grateful for in 2023.
At January 28’s Year-End Blessing held at the Jing Si Auditorium of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEOs Peggy Sy-Jiang and Wilson Hung highlighted the foundation’s many milestones in an uplifting year-end report. From responding swiftly to victims of calamities to addressing the health issues of patients in medical missions and granting the gift of education to financially strapped youth, Tzu Chi volunteers had another banner year in 2023. And they achieved it with the help of like-minded institutions.
Partnerships are key to the foundation’s goal of extending compassion and relief to as many people possible. In 2023, Tzu Chi formally partnered with 46 organizations—from government and non-government organizations (NGO), to esteemed names in the corporate, commercial, medical, industrial, and academic fields.
Telecom giant Globe’s tie-up with Tzu Chi began in 2022, following the pandemic that disrupted livelihoods and left many families hungry. Globe’s Hapag Movement campaign focuses on hunger alleviation and providing sustainable livelihood programs to those in need. Tzu Chi Foundation and three other NGOs are beneficiaries of this holistic intervention, whose aim is to support 100,000 families in four years.
Through Hapag Movement, over P3 million has been raised for Tzu Chi’s food relief, skills training, and job placement projects. “As a partner, my message for Tzu Chi is to support Globe with all of their efforts for Hapag Movement,” says Jan Merced, the Globe lead expert handling Hapag Movement. “At the same time, we'll also help Tzu Chi with all their initiatives for their scholars and beneficiaries.”
Of the 18 graduates of Tzu Chi Tech-Voc’s caregiver course, nine were able to find jobs through Bantay Matanda, Inc., an NGO that caters to the needs of the elderly. Adelwisa Joaquin, founder and president of Bantay Matanda and speaker at Tzu Chi’s caregiver trainings, is particularly pleased with the values taught in Humanity class, a complement to the practical, hands-on skills learned in class.
“It’s important that their heart is in what they’re doing,” she says. “I hope to continue doing what I can to serve your community, and that the partnership would be a long-lasting one.”
Chiang Kai Shek College President Dr. Judelio Yap also appreciates the values ingrained by Tzu Chi in over 20 of his school’s students who are currently scholars under the foundation’s educational assistance program. “Like Chiang Kai Shek College, Tzu Chi brings out the best in students and helps them become better citizens of our country,” he says.
Forged about a decade ago, the partnership between Tzu Chi and Chiang Kai Shek College remains strong. “We hope with Buddha's blessing, more good works can be done by the Tzu Chi Foundation,” says Dr. Yap. “And we at Chiang Kai Shek College will always be here as your partner in all the good deeds that we're bringing to our fellowmen, whether in Philippines and elsewhere.”
But Tzu Chi’s help impacts its partners too. When volunteers first organized rice relief distributions for low-income individuals in Antipolo City in 2020, then for scavengers and blind massage therapists in 2021, these activities left a lasting impression on Rowena Zapanta.
“Seeing how organized, detailed, and very specific Tzu Chi is with its assistance gave me an idea on how to replicate it in other forms of assistance given by the City of Antipolo,” says Rowena, head of city planning and development of the City Government of Antipolo. “That's why in some of the activities of the local government, we make it a point [to follow] how Tzu Chi organizes or facilitates an activity. Even if it's not perfect, at least we're getting better.”
Rowena’s affinity for Tzu Chi extends beyond work. A vegetarian for health reasons, she looked forward to attending her second Year-End Blessing. “Whenever I go to this place, it's always all about peace,” she says. “It's as if you're coming home.”
“Thank you very much, not only for the assistance, but also for teaching us how to help others,” she adds. “And congratulations on this occasion. You have always given thanks when in fact, it's all about thanking you for all the help and support that you are giving not only to the City Government of Antipolo but throughout the world.”
Chiang Kai Shek College President Judelio Yap (right) receives a special ampao from Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEO Woon Ng at January 28’s Year-End Blessing. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
City Government of Antipolo’s Head of City Planning and Development Rowena Zapanta (right) receives a special ampao from Tzu Chi volunteer Johnny Kwok at January 28’s Year-End Blessing. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Bantay Matanda, Inc. Founder and President Adelwisa Joaquin (in green) participates in the singing and signing of “One Family.” 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Jan Merced, Globe lead expert in charge of Hapag Movement campaign, assures Tzu Chi of “helping them with all their initiatives for their scholars and beneficiaries.” 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Through her NGO Bantay Matanda, Inc., founder and president Adelwisa Joaquin was able to find jobs for nine of Tzu Chi’s caregiver course graduates. “I hope to continue doing what I can to serve your community, and that the partnership would be a long-lasting one,” she says. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
City Government of Antipolo’s Head of City Planning and Development Rowena Zapanta looked forward to attending her second Year-End Blessing. “Whenever I go to this place, it's always all about peace,” she says. “It's as if you're coming home.” 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
In his first Tzu Chi Year-End Blessing, Chiang Kai Shek College President Judelio Yap (first from left) found the event “very enlightening. It really gives me a great understanding of the compassion and love of Buddha, and how it enlightens and helps us in our daily lives.” 【Photo by Matt Serrano】