Bohol — The Tzu Chi Foundation celebrated 12 years of transforming lives through education on June 12, 2026, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. The ceremony honored 106 graduating scholars, 25 of whom earned Latin honors, underscoring a journey that began amid disaster.
From Earthquake Recovery to Educational Legacy
The foundation first arrived in Bohol after the devastating 7.2‑magnitude earthquake of 2013 that killed 222 people and destroyed over 74,000 homes. Volunteers rebuilt schools and provided immediate relief, but founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen issued a lasting instruction: “Do not forget this province.” That mandate gave birth to the scholarship program in 2014.
Deputy Coordinator Joven Uy recounted those early days during the ceremony. He traced how emergency aid gradually evolved into a sustained mission of empowering young lives. What began as a disaster response now stands as one of the province’s most enduring educational initiatives, having supported hundreds of students through full academic cycles.
Graduates Speak of Resilience and Purpose
Mark Anthony Boiser, a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship graduate from Bohol Island State University, shared the philosophy that guided him. He grounded his reflection on the belief that only grateful people develop a sense of mission. His hardships, he said, built the resilience and direction that now define him.
Angelica Mae E. Requina, who graduated cum laude in Secondary Education despite living with a visual impairment, offered another powerful testimony. She chose not to let her condition set limits on her ambition. After initially failing the entrance exam, she persevered, supported by the foundation’s donors and volunteers.
The graduating cohort reflected significant academic growth across the program. Total graduates nearly doubled from 57 in 2024 to 106 in 2026. Latin honorees rose from 17 to 25, including the program’s first summa cum laude. The incoming batch of 78 new scholars represented a carefully selected group poised to continue the tradition.
Support Beyond Tuition Fees
The foundation’s scholarship extends well beyond financial assistance. Beneficiaries receive monthly living allowances, book and internet subsidies, uniform support, transportation aid, and even graduation fees. This comprehensive package removes every material barrier that might force a student to abandon their studies.
Mandatory humanity classes form a distinctive part of the program. Scholars attend sessions on ethics, global etiquette, vegetarianism, and civic responsibility. Jack Gaisano, head of the Bohol Education Committee, urged the graduating batch to carry these values into a rapidly changing world shaped by technology.
He encouraged them to use what they learned to help their families and contribute meaningfully to society. The ceremony’s closing Jing Si Aphorism captured the spirit: “To learn is to enrich the mind. To serve is to enrich the heart.”
A Continuing Mission Across the Province
The educational ceremony is one pillar of Tzu Chi’s broader 2026 presence in Bohol. Earlier this year, the foundation conducted eye and dental medical missions in Tubigon, delivered nutritional relief to families in Sagbayan, and mobilized scholars for coastal clean‑ups and an Earth Day vegetarian cooking contest.
Volunteers from Taiwan continue to travel to the province to support these efforts. Huang Li‑Yao, one such volunteer, expressed admiration for the educational mission’s growth. She noted how witnessing the work deepened her understanding of how education builds lasting hope within communities.
Deputy CEO James Chua closed the ceremony by urging scholars to learn from their mistakes and remain grounded in gratitude. The twelve‑year journey from earthquake relief to a harvest of graduates now sends a new generation forward, ready to plant seeds of hope wherever life leads them.
