Renato M. Mancol
September 4, 2023

On September 1st, 2023, HIRAYA fellowship program Guang Ming College's Alumni performing arts group launched the second cycle of Hiraya with the theme presents  SIBOL: Paglago, Liwayway at Paglaom at Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, Prajna Hall, Malate Manila. 

“With the talents and the perseverance they have, I think they are really ready to step out, and to go there in the professional creative industry and that is why the Hiraya fellowship program is formed.”photo／The Life News Agency

The event includes performances of Guang Ming Graduates batch 2022-2023, such as the Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Bachelor of Arts in Dance headed by director Jm Cabling and according to him, “With the talents and the perseverance they have, I think they are really ready to step out, and togo there in the professional creative industry and that is why the Hiraya fellowship program is formed. It is a program that supports the graduates to make sure to gain the professional experience, giving them networks, opportunities, and access for their guide steps, in order for them to become fully independent as a professional and I think that is important for them, they really have the talents they just need the right people to guide them and that is why the program established,” he added.

The event includes performances of Guang Ming Graduates batch 2022-2023, such as the Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Bachelor of Arts in Dance headed by director Jm Cabling. photo／The Life News Agency

The said event was attended by Venerable Yung Guang (Head abbess of Fo Guang Philippines), Venerable Miao Jing (Head abbess of Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple), venerables, scholars and faculties of Guang Ming college with their family and friends to support the program. The audience enjoy the performance of new graduates and Wang Xin a teacher visited the temple shared that “Through the medium of music and dance the students eloquently narrated their four years journey in Guang Ming College, allowing us to reminisce about the small moments that have brought them from all corners of the Philippines, they came from different places but under the guidance of teachers, venerables, and seniors they grew together, acquired skills and embraced the teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and propagate Humanistic Buddhism all over the world.”

While one of the freshmen theater student Philip Regor Catarus shared that “watching the whole launching was super heartwarming, seeing the journey as an artist that I will also go through as a new scholar in Guang Ming College, now I feel more motivated to be part of the performances as gathering of sharing art experiences.”

Launching ended with appreciation and filled with a sense of gratitude to all the people behind their journey. Venerable Yung Guang the head abbess of Fo Guang Philippines made the audience feel even more the love of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, hoping that we pass on this compassion to more people in need and become the inheritors of Humanistic Buddhism. She said, "We have proven and shown that Venerable Master Hsing Yun has sent education to form that can change life. I saw the show tonight and I know that it was the hard work and effort of our faculties and teachers to help them to be more confident and compassionate. One thing that touch me the most is the great love to Venerable Master Hsing Yun and hoping that all graduates and Hiraya will continue to bring this great love of master and share it to the others.”

The graduates gave a gift to Venerable Yung Guang as their token of appreciation for an artwork made by one of the Guang Ming scholar Edrian Lorica, a Dance major from Bicol.


Friday, September 1. 2023, HIRAYA fellowship program Guang Ming College's Alumni performing arts group launched the second cycle of Hiraya with the theme presents  SIBOL: Paglago, Liwayway at Paglaom at Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, Prajna Hall, Malate Manila. photo／The Life News Agency