July 4, 2023
Tzu Chi Philippines inaugurates Pampanga Cultivation Venue
By Ben Baquilod
Tzu Chi volunteers, dignitaries, and guests came together for the inauguration of the Tzu Chi Pampanga Cultivation Venue on July 2 in Angeles City, Pampanga.
The celebration began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by the signing of usufruct agreement that grants the free use of Tzu Chi Pampanga Cultivation Venue, located at 105 Mitchell Avenue, Balibago, Angeles City, for a minimum of 25 years. The signing was led by Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez and property owner representatives, attorneys-in-fact Rong Mou Lou and Qiaoyuan Shi.
“Thank you for joining us on this momentous occasion. I hope that through our harmonious cooperation, we will be able to touch more lives and inspire more hearts to relieve the sufferings of our brothers and sisters here in Pampanga,” said CEO Yuñez.
Among the esteemed guests in attendance were Executive Director of Tzu Chi Global Volunteer Affairs, Stephen Huang, and Ambassador Francis Chua.
Tzu Chi volunteers and guests from Manila and Cebu also attended the event to show their support. “I’m thrilled to be here. I was teary-eyed when Sister Pansy Ho was speaking and I felt very inspired by what they achieved in such a short time,” said Cebu volunteer Leonida Gaerlan, praising the work of Pampanga volunteers.
The expansion of Tzu Chi’ mission in Pampanga began when Pansy Ho and her husband Vincent were introduced to Tzu Chi in 2012 through a charity bazaar. After meeting CEO Yuñez and learning more about the foundation’s charitable work, the couple attended an entrepreneur’s camp in Taiwan in April 2013 and met Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen.
“When I met Master, my life changed forever,” said Pansy. “I was inspired to take on more responsibilities.”
Upon returning home, they immediately joined volunteer training and were certified as commissioners thereafter. “Before I knew Tzu Chi, I had a bad habit of buying expensive things and traveling abroad every year. But Master Cheng Yen inspired me to adopt a simple lifestyle and instead help those in need.”
In the subsequent years, Pansy and Vincent recruited more volunteers in Angeles and carried out rice distributions and relief efforts for underprivileged communities and indigenous peoples in Pampanga. In December 2022, they initiated a scholarship program with 15 students from Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU).
“When Tzu Chi approached Pampanga State Agricultural University, we were overjoyed,” said PSAU President Dr. Anita David. “And I am delighted to see that these 15 young men and women have become better individuals thanks to Tzu Chi Pampanga.”
Juliana Cabalatuan, a third-year BS Entrepreneurship student, testified to the positive impact that Tzu Chi scholarship has had on her life. Having lost her father at the age of 4 and her mother at 6, she had no one to rely on except her older brother, who struggled to make ends meet with seasonal blue-collar jobs. "My life was filled with darkness, and I had no guidance. Then, Tzu Chi became the light that showed me hope."
"As a Tzu Chi scholar, they provided me with financial assistance, and I also gained valuable life lessons through our monthly humanities class," said Juliana. "My fellow scholars and I are extremely happy that Tzu Chi now has an office here in Pampanga. This means they can help more people like me."
Students like Julianna serve as motivation for Pansy Ho to continue expanding their selfless work in Pampanga, especially now that they have a headquarters for all their humanitarian efforts in the province.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to Master Cheng Yen because without her virtues and blessings, our Pampanga office would not have become a reality," said Pansy. "My vow is to protect our home here in Pampanga until the end of my days."
The Tzu Chi Pampanga office inauguration begins with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by (from left to right) Ambassador Francis Chua, Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez, Executive Director of Tzu Chi Global Volunteer Affairs Stephen Huang, and property representative attorney-in-fact Rong Mou Lou. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez and property representative attorney-in-fact Rong Mou Lou shake hands during the signing of usufruct agreement that grants the free use of Tzu Chi Pampanga office, located at 105 Mitchell Avenue, Balibago, Angeles City, for a minimum of 25 years. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
‘Little Bodhisattvas’ from Tzu Chi Pampanga performs a cute sign language number. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi Pampanga volunteers showcase a sign language performance. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Pioneer scholars from Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) offers a sign language performance of the ‘One Family’ song. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
“Thank you for joining us on this momentous occasion. I hope that through our harmonious cooperation, we will be able to touch more lives and inspire more hearts to relieve the sufferings of our brothers and sisters here in Pampanga,” says Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Yuñez. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Executive Director of Tzu Chi Global Volunteer Affairs Stephen Huang shares an inspiring message to Tzu Chi volunteers and guests. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Esteemed guest Ambassador Francis Chua gives a message during Tzu Chi Pampanga office inauguration. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Pampanga volunteer Pansy Ho shares Tzu Chi Pampanga’s humanitarian footprints over the years. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Pansy Ho calls on stage fellow Pampanga volunteers and acknowledge their efforts for the establishment of Tzu Chi Pampanga office. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Volunteers from Manila show support on Tzu Chi Pampanga office inauguration. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Volunteers from Manila show support on Tzu Chi Pampanga office inauguration. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi Cebu volunteers are also in attendance on Tzu Chi Pampanga office inauguration. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Rong Mou Lou’s family attends Tzu Chi Pampanga office inauguration. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Executive Director of Tzu Chi Global Volunteer Affairs Stephen Huang presents a gift of lotus flower light and wisdom tablet from Master Cheng Yen. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Executive Director of Tzu Chi Global Volunteer Affairs Stephen Huang gives an inspiring talk to encourage volunteers to carry out Tzu Chi’s missions more diligently. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
“When Tzu Chi approached Pampanga State Agricultural University, we were overjoyed,” says PSAU President Dr. Anita David. “And I am delighted to see that these 15 young men and women have become better individuals thanks to Tzu Chi Pampanga.” 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
"My life was filled with darkness, and I had no guidance. Then, Tzu Chi became the light that showed me hope,” says Tzu Chi Pampanga scholar Juliana Cabalatuan. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
“I’m thrilled to be here. I was teary-eyed when Sister Pansy Ho was speaking and I felt very inspired by what they achieved in such a short time,” says Cebu volunteer Leonida Gaerlan, praising the work of Pampanga volunteers. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
The work of Tzu Chi began in Pampanga when couple Pansy and Vincent Ho were introduced to Tzu Chi in 2012 through a charity bazaar, and subsequently joined an entrepreneur’s camp in Taiwan in 2013. “When I met Master, my life changed forever,” says Pansy. “I was inspired to take on more responsibilities.” 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to Master Cheng Yen because without her virtues and blessings, our Pampanga office would not have become a reality," says Pansy Ho. "My vow is to protect our home here in Pampanga until the end of my days." 【Photo by Jeaneal Dando】
Group photo of Tzu Chi volunteers during the Pampanga office inauguration. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】