11/11/2025
๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฑ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ด, ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ
Despite the threat of Super Typhoon Uwan (International name: Fung-wong), a constant stream of families and friends braved overcast skies and moderate rains to spend their November 8 and 9 shopping and dining for a good cause at Tzu Chiโs Fiesta Verde 2025.
Over 80 exhibitors participated in the annual bazaar, whose goal this year is to raise funds for Tzu Chiโs Mission of Medicine, specifically the construction of the first Tzu Chi General Hospital in the Philippines.
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuรฑez led the opening ceremony that started with volunteersโ solemn formation in the Plaza, then proceeded with a rousing drum performance by members of Tzu Chi Youth and an auspicious lion dance by Tiong Se Academy. Yuรฑez was also the first to hang a symbolic leaf in the Million Leaves of Love board, a platform for donating to the building of the hospital. Each red leaf represented a P1,000 donation while each green leaf was equivalent to a P500 donation.
Once again, volunteers transformed the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, into a haven of vegetarian and eco-friendly finds. Plant-based versions of fresh spring roll, steamed buns, dumplings, barbecue, and other sumptuous treats were found at the Plaza, where guests dined al fresco and got free tastings after live cooking demonstrations from Astig Vegan Chef RG Enriquez-Diez, Chef Camille Acosta, and Tzu Chi volunteer Betty Dizon. Harmony Hall housed more veggie food choices plus dry goods, while the Jing Si Auditorium was packed with exhibitors selling products ranging from practical home items to unique gift ideas. For handmade crafts from Tzu Chi scholars and Tzu Chi Youth and fun kiddie activities, guests went to Unity Hall.
Like the bazaarโs guests, Fiesta Verdeโs sellers were eager to contribute to the hospitalโs fruition. Based in Canada, Rosa Chua Cavero and her Spanish husband Rafael found themselves in a crossroads when they arrived in the Philippines three weeks earlier: They could either go home or stay and play a role in building the Tzu Chi hospital. The Caveros chose the latter and Cucina Espaรฑol was born. Although Rosa is used to cooking Spanish cuisine with meat, fish, and seafood, preparing croquetas (deep-fried rolls made with finely chopped ham) or the traditional Tortilla Espaรฑol (potato omelet) with plant-based ingredients yielded savory results.
โWe are very glad and proud that we can help a little bit, because our effort is so menial to what this whole group is doing,โ said Rosa, of her and Rafaelโs humble participation. โSo go for it, Tzu Chi, go for it! We're proud of you.โ
For many exhibitors, the bazaar served a second and equally important purpose: to sustain the livelihood and morale of the underserved communities they champion. First-time Fiesta Verde seller Ahon Coffee, a cafรฉ and hangout of cyclists who ply the hilly routes of Antipolo, Boso-Boso, and Taytay in Rizal Province, sources its coffee beans directly from farmers in Nueva Ecija, the Cordilleras, and Bukidnon.
โOne of the main reasons why we opened Ahon Coffee is for us to support the local farmers here in the Philippines,โ said Alliyah de la Costa, co-owner of Ahon Coffee. โTo know that we're also helping in some other way, like building a hospital, is something that we really want to take part in.โ
Back with more productsโfrom woven bags and beaded purses to cute keychains and Christmas-themed itemsโPDL Crafts & Display charmed anew with its handmade creations by the female residents of the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong. The initiative is part of the CIWโs work and livelihood program, which teaches Persons Deprived of Liberty viable skills and makes them earn even as they do the time.
โTheyโre able to save and send money to their loved ones,โ said Marjorie Anne P. Sanidad, CIW superintendent.
Stories of children finishing school and graduating through the earnings of their mothers, aunts, and sisters in the CIW abound. This certainly redefines the image of the Bureau of Corrections as a dead end for inmates serving long-term prison sentences, and of the PDL as incapable of change and purpose in life.
โOne of the projects of the whole Bureau of Corrections is to be relevant, sustainable, and respected,โ said Sanidad. โIn our efforts to reform the PDL through PDL Crafts & Display, we become relevant to society, and with that, we regain their respect. Society can also respect PDL because they are capable of reform. And events like Fiesta Verde help sustain our work and livelihood program.โ
Perhaps thatโs why Fiesta Verde 2025โs theme this year is โGrowing Together for a Cause.โ Besides fundraising for the Tzu Chi hospital, the bazaar was a learning experience for everyone: from guests happily supporting marginalized sellers with inspiring back stories, to exhibitors willing to put a plant-based spin on a traditional meat dish.
