Education remains one of the most enduring investments in building a brighter future, empowering individuals with the knowledge, values, and opportunities needed to transform their lives and uplift their communities. As one of its core missions, the Tzu Chi Foundation continues to champion education, recognizing that every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their aspirations regardless of any circumstances.
In steadfast commitment to this vision, the Foundation marked another milestone through its 12th Annual Educational Assistance Awarding and Recognition Ceremony held on June 12, 2026, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Gathering 286 scholars, donors, volunteers, and guests, the event stood as a testament to twelve years of nurturing dreams, celebrating perseverance, and inspiring generations of students to transform gratitude into meaningful action and service.
Opening the program, Brother Joven Uy, Tzu Chi Bohol Deputy Coordinator, took the audience on a journey through the Foundation’s humble beginnings in the province. He recalled how the scholarship program was established in 2014 following the devastating Bohol earthquake, when Tzu Chi volunteers worked alongside local communities to rebuild schools and restore hope and purpose.
What began as a response to disaster has since grown into a sustained mission of empowering young lives through education and compassion.
Building on this, Brother Jack Gaisano, Head of the Tzu Chi Bohol Education Committee, presented the 313 educational assistance beneficiaries, composed of incoming second-year students (2), third-year students (48), fourth-year students (75), fifth-year students (4), graduating scholars (106), and 78 newly accepted beneficiaries, the group represented not only academic achievement but also countless stories of resilience, determination, and hope.
He also encouraged the graduating Batch 2026 scholars to remain grounded in the values they have learned through Tzu Chi as they step into an increasingly fast-changing world shaped by technology and innovation. “Bring with you the learnings and values that Tzu Chi has instilled in your lives,” he said. “Use them to help your family and contribute meaningfully to society.”
A defining moment of the ceremony came as graduating scholars took the stage to share their journeys—stories that reflected years of struggle, growth, and transformation.
“Resilience is built in moments of hardship, not comfort,” he said, emphasizing that his struggles became the foundation of his growth and determination.
For School Year 2025–2026, 25 scholars graduated with Latin honors, of whom 19 were cum laude, 5 were magna cum laude, and 1 summa cum laude.
Angelica Mae E. Requina, a Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies from Bohol Island State University–Main Campus. Living with a visual impairment, she shared how she chose not to be limited by her condition, instead turning challenges into motivation to pursue academic excellence.
She recalled how her journey with the scholarship program began with uncertainty after initially not passing the entrance examination, but eventually became a turning point that strengthened her perseverance and faith in her journey. Through the support of Tzu Chi and its donors, she was able to complete her studies and recognize her own potential beyond limitations.
The ceremony also welcomed the Foundation’s newly accepted scholars, whose heartfelt reflections highlighted the life-changing impact of education. Representing the new batch, Jan Emyrson Gomonan and Venisse Daquipil expressed how the scholarship arrived at a crucial moment in their lives, offering hope amid financial struggles and allowing them to continue pursuing their studies.
Grateful for the opportunity, they shared their commitment to uphold Tzu Chi’s spirit by giving back to the community and paying forward the compassion they received.
Extending the spirit of gratitude beyond the scholars, Tzu Chi volunteer from Taiwan, Huang Li-Yao expressed admiration for the Foundation’s continued educational mission in Bohol. She reflected on how witnessing Tzu Chi’s work deepened her understanding of how education transforms lives and builds lasting hope within communities.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Brother James Chua, Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEO and Bohol Coordinator, delivered his closing remarks, encouraging scholars to strive continuously for excellence while remaining grounded in gratitude and humility.
He also emphasized the importance of remembering the Foundation and the mission of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, who continues to guide Tzu Chi’s humanitarian work worldwide.
The program concluded with a Jing Si Aphorism that captured the essence of the gathering: “To learn is to enrich the mind. To serve is to enrich the heart.”
As the ceremony ended, scholars, graduates, donors, and volunteers carried with them a shared realization: education is more than academic achievement, it is a lifelong process of becoming, grounded in compassion and strengthened by gratitude.
Twelve years after its beginning in the aftermath of the Bohol earthquake, the Tzu Chi Foundation’s educational assistance program continues to grow as a living testament to resilience and renewal. From seeds planted in times of crisis, it has become a harvest of dreams fulfilled—shaped by countless stories of perseverance, kindness, and hope.
