November 11, 2025
Fiesta Verde 2025 draws crowds for shopping, dining, and mission of medicine
By Joy Rojas
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 Chi’s Fiesta Verde 2025.
Over 80 exhibitors participated in the annual bazaar, whose goal this year is to raise funds for Tzu Chi’s Mission of Medicine, specifically the construction of the first Tzu Chi General Hospital in the Philippines.
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez led the opening ceremony that started with volunteers’ 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. Yuñez 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 bazaar’s guests, Fiesta Verde’s sellers were eager to contribute to the hospital’s 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 Español 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 Español (potato omelet) with plant-based ingredients yielded savory results.
“We 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,” said Rosa, of her and Rafael’s humble participation. “So go for it, Tzu Chi, go for it! We're proud of you.”
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 café 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.
“One of the main reasons why we opened Ahon Coffee is for us to support the local farmers here in the Philippines,” said Alliyah de la Costa, co-owner of Ahon Coffee. “To know that we're also helping in some other way, like building a hospital, is something that we really want to take part in.”
Back with more products—from woven bags and beaded purses to cute keychains and Christmas-themed items—PDL 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 CIW’s work and livelihood program, which teaches Persons Deprived of Liberty viable skills and makes them earn even as they do the time.
“They’re able to save and send money to their loved ones,” 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.
“One of the projects of the whole Bureau of Corrections is to be relevant, sustainable, and respected,” said Sanidad. “In 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.”
Perhaps that’s why Fiesta Verde 2025’s theme this year is “Growing Together for a Cause.” 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.
Putting Fiesta Verde together involves a lot of planning. It’s also labor intensive. Here, it takes at least four Tzu Chi staffers to lift and position booths for vendors selling cooked meals at the Plaza.
Many hours are also spent at the kitchen, chopping ingredients and stirring them in a hot wok.
Tzu Chi volunteers prepare the Million Leaves of Love board, where donors hang symbolic red and green leaves to fund the construction of the Tzu Chi General Hospital.
At the Jing Si Auditorium, workers assemble exhibitor booths.
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines Henry Yuñez (front row, second from right) leads volunteers in the opening ceremony of Fiesta Verde 2025.
Tzu Chi Youth liven up the atmosphere with a rousing drum performance.
After an auspicious lion dance from Tiong Se Academy, Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez joins the performers on stage.
Tzu Chi volunteer Wilson Hung strikes the gong to signal the start of Fiesta Verde.
Tzu Chi scholars serenade guests with the song “A World Filled with Warmth.”
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez makes the first donation in the Million Leaves of Love board.
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez drops his donation for the Tzu Chi General Hospital in a metal container, and Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines Deputy CEO Woon Ng (left) follows suit.
At the Harmony Hall: UMA sustainably grown dark chocolate and cacao tea from Zamboanga Sibugay
At the Harmony Hall: Freshly baked flavored breads from Tzu Chi Bakery
At the Harmony Hall: Auggie Yap Suratos, co-founder of The Vegan Grocer, assists a shopper.
At the Harmony Hall: Better Snacks! Mixed Fruit and Vegetable Chips
At the Harmony Hall: Ju.D’s Fruitcakes
At the Jing Si Auditorium: Waste to Wonder wallpaper scraps are upcycled into gift bags.
At the Jing Si Auditorium: Residents from Tzu Chi Great Love Village in Palo, Leyte, create Christmas trees use strips of cloth.
At the Jing Si Auditorium: Reusable water bottles from Kleen Kanteen
At the Jing Si Auditorium: Items for the little ones at Nappy Baby
At the Jing Si Auditorium: Lock N Lock food and drink containers
At the Jing Si Auditorium: Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines’ first CEO Linda Chua (center) and other volunteers promote their vegetarian ingredients.
At the Jing Si Auditorium: Tzu Chi volunteer and staff of the Bureau of Corrections’ Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong, proudly shows the handmade products of the PDL Crafts & Display
At the Unity Hall: Crocheted and fuzzy wire novelty items handmade by Tzu Chi scholars
While parents shopped, kids immersed themselves in fun activities like coloring tote bags at Unity Hall.
At the Unity Hall, a little girl participates in a soap-making workshop.
At the Plaza: Filling vegetarian steamed dumplings
At the Plaza: Fried Oyster Mushrooms are a yummy snack.
At the Harmony Hall: A refreshing salad of tomatoes, green beans, cranberries, and corn from Cucina Español
Spanish croquetas (foreground) are usually made with finely chopped ham, but this one from Cucina Español is all-vegetarian.
Astig Vegan Chef RG Enriquez-Diez returns to Fiesta Verde to whip up a slew of plant-based dishes like this one that combines crunchy cucumbers with Beyond Meat from Prime Pacific Foods Corp.
Tzu Chi Youth show that Daai Tech’s creations can be chic too in a fashion show that merited an encore.
Everyone cheered as Dr. Rosa Fruto, volunteer dentist of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) delivered a moving inspirational song.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga Deputy CEO Dr. Anton Mari Lim (left) and PHILSEED co-founder Josh Mahinay gave free tastings of Uma dark chocolate.
Brand ambassador Justin Lemuel Esteban (left) and Nico Aligam promote Clean Earth Project, a brand of plant-based, chemical-free cleansers whose chief ingredient is fermented pineapple enzyme.
(From left) Jordin Rose Ocon of the Correctional Institute for Women’s (CIW) strategic communication office and Marjorie Anne P. Sanidad, CIW superintendent join Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez during the opening rites of 2025 Fiesta Verde.
At the Jing Si Auditorium, Tzu Chi’s Tai Chi group lead everyone to perform meditative moves.
Everyone at the Jing Si Auditorium was encouraged to participate in the Tai Chi session.
Everyone at the Jing Si Auditorium was encouraged to participate in the Tai Chi session.
The volunteer doctors of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) and Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez take to the stage to perform "Heal the World."
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez is joined by Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines’ teachers and students, and the doctors of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) in the singing of “Children of the World.”
Even with the threat of a typhoon, families and friends spent their November 8 and 9 shopping and dining together at Fiesta Verde.
Even with the threat of a typhoon, families and friends spent their November 8 and 9 shopping and dining together at Fiesta Verde.
Even with the threat of a typhoon, families and friends spent their November 8 and 9 shopping and dining together at Fiesta Verde.
Even with the threat of a typhoon, families and friends spent their November 8 and 9 shopping and dining together at Fiesta Verde.
Cool weather and the cozy mood set by the lights and canopies made the Plaza at Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus the perfect place to hang out.