New theme, song, and activities in 2024 scholar-led camp

Fourth-year college scholars organize an unforgettable three days of learning, friendship, and fun.

A camp for scholars by scholars marked the 2024 Tzu Chi Scholars’ Camp held from June 28 to 30 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Heralding the theme “Waves of Inspiration, Let’s Sail Together,” the annual camp treated 12 scholars from Zamboanga, 17 from Davao, eight from Leyte, 22 from Iloilo, 12 from Cebu, 24 from Bicol, 12 from Pampanga, and 55 from the Nation Capital Region to three full days of fun educational activities, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to forge new friendships with their counterparts from other Tzu Chi chapters.

With members of Tzu Chi Youth focused on organizing their own camp this August, the task of putting together a scholars’ camp fell on the laps of the fourth-year scholars.

Heading this year’s camp was Paolo Nicole Santos, who graduates magna cum laude from his Bachelor of Library and Information Science from the Philippine Normal University. Having actively participated in two scholars’ camps, Santos had an idea of what went into the making of a major multi-day event. Involved from start to finish, he began planning with a team of 60 volunteer scholars in May.  

Among the plans was to divert from the usual theme of love. “We already love ourselves. Now let’s make it more about our aspirations, inspirations, and dreams,” says Santos.  The element of water, or waves, complemented the theme “because when we’re wearing our blue uniforms and moving in unison, we create some sort of wave,” he explains. “Let’s sail together” is a nod to the boat of the Tzu Chi logo, a “ship of compassion” that serves as a safe haven for the suffering.

The team’s camp song—the fast and catchy “Sail Your Story”—was based on the Disney song “Live Your Story” by Auli'i Cravalho. Fresh, new choreography was created to match the anthem’s upbeat pace.

As for the activities, the team’s goal was to ensure that participants would have fun while learning.

The traditional tour around BTCC became an “Amazing Race”-inspired event, with scholars working together to solve challenges like identifying the upcycled features in the Tzu Chi Café, building a Jing Si Abode using Jenga blocks, and using Charades to impart words like “porridge,” “baby shoes,” and “50 cents” in reference to Master Cheng Yen’s wooden cabin.

Ice breakers livened the mood at the start of each camp day. On Day One, “What If” saw scholars answer hypothetical questions like “What would you do if you won P1 million?” or “What would you do if tomorrow was your last day on Earth?” On Day 3, “Guess the Gibberish” had participants competing to be the first to name words like “vegan,” “unity,” and “synergy.”

Even lectures came to life through groupwork. In a talk on climate action by Tzu Chi Program Officer Lineth Brondial, scholars eagerly volunteered to share their recommendations on how to save the biodiverse-rich province of “Utopia” from the perspectives of government, civil society, scientists and researchers, and immediate community members.

As always, the camp ended on a high note, with scholars’ spirits buoyed by the lively moves and messages of hope of their camp song and the Tzu Chi songs “Pulling the Ox Cart” and “One Family.”

Difficult and challenging as it was to organize a three-day scholars’ camp for the first time, Santos also considers it a fulfilling, learning experience. He hopes Tzu Chi volunteers will allow future scholars to put together succeeding camps. “It’s like passing the baton and paying it forward,” he says. “We once served you, now it’s time for you to serve the next batch.”

The likelihood is there, judging from the reaction of Rosa So, head of Tzu Chi’s Education Committee. “From the preparation to the theme, the song, and even the signing the song, I have no other adjectives. It was so good,” she says of the camp.

“This is the first time a camp was organized by scholars and I’m really happy. To the working personnel, you are so good. Of all the scholars’ camps, this is the easiest.”

Participants at the 2024 Tzu Chi Scholars’ Camp pose before the Jing Si Auditorium. “Waves of Inspiration, Let’s Sail Together” is the theme of the camp for scholars by scholars.

A visit to Bahay Tsinoy, the only museum in the world dedicated to the overseas Chinese, was first on the agenda of provincial participants of the 2024 Tzu Chi Scholars’ Camp.

Bahay Tsinoy Museum Director and volunteer Baldwin Kho shows provincial scholars around a museum of dioramas that highlights Chinese influence in Philippine history and culture.

Bahay Tsinoy Museum Director and volunteer Baldwin Kho shows provincial scholars around a museum of dioramas that highlights Chinese influence in Philippine history and culture.

Scholars use their cell phones to take pictures of the dioramas.

Back at the Jing Si Auditorium of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila, the camp unfolded with relevant talks from a variety of speakers. Tzu Chi volunteer Mayee Lim gave a review of Tzu Chi etiquette.

Tzu Chi’s 30 years of existence in the Philippines was tackled by Tzu Chi Deputy CEO and Zamboanga Liaison Coordinator Dr. Anton Mari Lim.

OIC for Tzu Chi’s Volunteer Development and Mission Support Department Cherrie Rose Ang (first from right) leads a discussion on life after a Tzu Chi scholarship with Tzu Chi scholar alumni (from left) Daniella Macogue, Elvin Mercader, Reynilyn Aranda Torres, Dillon Gonzales, Mary Jane Placer-Bayod, and Cresta Chung.

Outdoor exercise starts each day of the Scholars’ Camp. Group Leaders and scholars alike get some much-needed sun and stretching before a full day of activities.

Outdoor exercise starts each day of the Scholars’ Camp. Group Leaders and scholars alike get some much-needed sun and stretching before a full day of activities.

Outdoor exercise starts each day of the Scholars’ Camp. Group Leaders and scholars alike get some much-needed sun and stretching before a full day of activities.

Outdoor exercise starts each day of the Scholars’ Camp. Group Leaders and scholars alike get some much-needed sun and stretching before a full day of activities.

Outdoor exercise starts each day of the Scholars’ Camp. Group Leaders and scholars alike get some much-needed sun and stretching before a full day of activities.

Scholars play Charades for groupmates to guess the word related to Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s wooden cabin.

Scholars play Charades for groupmates to guess the word related to Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s wooden cabin.

Scholars play Charades for groupmates to guess the word related to Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s wooden cabin.

Jenga blocks are used to help build a model of the Jing Si Abode.

In a “Pass the Message”-inspired game, a scholar whispers a chosen aphorism to the first in a line of scholars.

Tzu Chi Kitchen and Bakery volunteer Sally Yuñez does a live cooking demonstration of vegetarian salpicao, beans in coconut milk, and nangka nuggets, and nangka (jackfruit) nuggets.

Tzu Chi Kitchen and Bakery volunteer Sally Yuñez does a live cooking demonstration of vegetarian salpicao, beans in coconut milk, and nangka nuggets, and nangka (jackfruit) nuggets.

Tzu Chi scholar alumnus Albert Briongos touches participants in a discussion of filial piety.

Director from the Office of the CEO Peggy Sy-Jiang (first from left) and Tzu Chi Charity Department Head Tina Pasion (first from right) host the segment “Buddhism in Action: The Tzu Chi Way” together with volunteer Amy Fumera (second from left) and Jhoy Sarmiento (second from right).

Tzu Chi alumnus Dillon Gonzales returns on Day Two of the Scholars’ Camp to give a career talk.

Former President of the ADHD Society of the Philippines Pong Tee engages scholars in his discussion on “How to Communicate Thoughts and Feelings Effectively.”

OIC for Tzu Chi’s Volunteer Development and Mission Support Department Cherrie Rose Ang draws on personal experience during her talk on “Re-authoring Your Story: Navigating Inner Peace, Self-forgiveness, Growth, and Resiliency.”

Before his talk “Making A Difference: Volunteerism as a Way of Life,” Tzu Chi Zamboanga’s Harvey Yap (left) presents Tzu Chi Education Committee Head Rosa So with a cake for her birthday.

This batch of scholar campers includes 109 graduating scholars, 38 of whom finished with Latin honors. Twenty-two are graduating cum laude, 14 are recognized as magna cum laude, and two will be awarded summa cum laude.

After writing letters to themselves, scholars fold their papers into a boat and place them in a candle-lined space, while others hang their leaf-shaped letters on tree branches.

After writing letters to themselves, scholars fold their papers into a boat and place them in a candle-lined space, while others hang their leaf-shaped letters on tree branches.

After writing letters to themselves, scholars fold their papers into a boat and place them in a candle-lined space, while others hang their leaf-shaped letters on tree branches.

At the Harmony Hall, the camp’s working team print and cut medals for the graduating scholars.

Parents of scholars enjoy snacks at Harmony Hall before surprising their children at the Jing Si Auditorium.

2024 Camp Head and Tzu Chi scholar Paolo Nicole Santos (first in line) leads fellow scholars in a spirited song and dance of Tzu Chi’s “Pulling the Ox Cart.” He hopes future batches of scholars will be given a chance to organize succeeding camps “as a way to pay it forward.”