September 11, 2024
Tzu Chi welcomes 69 new NCR scholars for school year 2024-2025
By Joy Rojas
Tzu Chi Foundation welcomed 69 new scholars from the National Capital Region (NCR) for schoolyear 2024-2025 in a recognition ceremony held on September 8 at the Jing Si Hall of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The scholars, all incoming second year college students enrolled in various Tzu Chi partner schools in the NCR, accepted their scholar IDs from Tzu Chi commissioners led by Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez and Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So.
As candidates of Tzu Chi’s educational assistance program, the scholars passed preliminary screenings before undergoing a face-to-face panel interview with Tzu Chi volunteers last August.
Fraternal twins Jean Myca Manayaga and John Welter Manayaga were speechless when they got the call saying they were both granted scholarships. “We accepted the possibility that only one of us would be taken, so we couldn’t believe that they took us both,” says Jean Myca. “It was totally unexpected,” chimes in John Welter. “I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t process it at first. After going through so many challenges, it feels nice to receive good news.”
Both enrolled in a marketing course at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Quezon City campus, the twins are raised by their widowed mother, a fish vendor. “Thank you for giving us the chance to be scholars,” says Jean Myca, to which John Welter adds, “We promise to do everything we can to finish our studies.”
When asked what she most looked forward to as a Tzu Chi scholar, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila BS Social Work major Maurryn May Colico turned emotional. Currently living with an aunt who took her, her four siblings, and their mother in because her father couldn’t give up his gambling addiction, Colico wanted to relieve her cash-strapped mother from the financial strain of supporting her studies. “I don’t have to think about where to get money for books and my allowance anymore because I was able to get help,” she says, sobbing. “Soon enough, I will return the kindness that you showed me.”
After what seems like a streak of unfortunate incidences—from being forced to move from one relative to another to seeing her house helper mother through a thyroid problem, mild stroke, and most recently leptospirosis—a much-needed break came in the form of a Tzu Chi scholarship for Reanne Evz Hilado. “My mother cried when she saw my name among the scholars in the group chat,” says this civil engineering major at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. “We were both so happy.”
The scholarship, which provides scholars with tuition, numerous allowances, and rice subsidy, as well as the inculcation of values through monthly Humanity classes, is a lifeline for Hilado who has endured so much hardship at such a young age. Wiping away tears, the eldest of three says, “I’m not the only one who dreams of finishing college. My family depends on me to help give us a better life. Thank you for giving us hope, Tzu Chi.”
The new scholars were presented during Humanity class, which focused on Tzu Chi Etiquette.
Tzu Chi’s educational assistance program grants scholarships to financially challenged students in elementary, junior high, senior high, and college levels. First-time applicants for scholarship in the college level must at least be an incoming sophomore to ensure that they finish the course they are enrolled in. Long-term scholars who shift courses after their first year of college will be removed from the program.
Tzu Chi scholars gather at the Jing Si Auditorium for monthly Humanity class. This September’s topic is on Tzu Chi Etiquette.
Sixty-nine new scholars from the National Capital Region pose for a group photo after each received their Tzu Chi scholar ID from Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez and Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez leads the presentation of Tzu Chi IDs to the new batch of scholars.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez leads the presentation of Tzu Chi IDs to the new batch of scholars.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez leads the presentation of Tzu Chi IDs to the new batch of scholars.
Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So presents IDs to the incoming Tzu Chi scholars.
Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So presents IDs to the incoming Tzu Chi scholars.
Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So presents IDs to the incoming Tzu Chi scholars.
Former Tzu Chi scholars Margo Janelle Ma-Ang (left) and Jefferson Aguilar host this month’s Humanity class.
John Welter Manayaga (left) and Jean Myca Manayaga are beyond grateful to Tzu Chi for accepting them both into its educational assistance program. The twins are marketing majors at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Quezon City campus. “Thank you for giving us the chance to be scholars,” says Jean Myca. “We promise to do everything we can to finish our studies,” adds John Welter.
With their mother (first from left) at home, John Welter Manayaga and Jean Myca Manayaga are typical twins. “We’re close,” says John Welter, born three minutes after his sister. “Whenever she has a problem, I motivate her, give her advice, make her feel better.” “And I like to pester him and tell him everything. We understand each other,” says Jean Myca.
Maurryn May Colico’s days of asking money for allowance and school supplies from her cash-strapped mother are over, following news that she was granted a Tzu Chi scholarship. “Soon enough, I will return the kindness that you showed me,” says this Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila BS Social Work major and second of five children.
Mona Liza Colico (right) describes Maurryn May (right) as serious with her studies and generous with her four siblings. “Whatever she has, she shares with them.”
After her mother recovered from leptospirosis, Reanne Evz Hilado received more good news in the form of a Tzu Chi scholarship. “I’m not the only one who dreams of finishing college. My family depends on me to help give us a better life,” says this civil engineering major at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines “Thank you for giving us hope, Tzu Chi.”
Tzu Chi volunteers conduct a home visit with Reanne Evz Hilado (front row, second from left), who lives with her uncle, a tricycle driver, and his family.