June 11, 2025
2025 Tzu Chi Youth Camp emphasizes action and experience
By Joy Rojas
Kyle Francisco was in his teens when a trip to Taiwan changed his life. Listening to a talk by Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen, he described the moment as magical, and was particularly struck by a simple yet powerful aphorism that beckoned him to “do good things” and “do what is right.”
Inspired to pursue self-cultivation, he was 16 when he decided to join a Tzu Chi Youth Camp in 2016.
“Sometimes, we don’t think we contribute to society,” he says. “Instead, we should think in small steps. For example, when you wake up in the morning, you take one step at a time until you work your way towards helping people.”
That’s the core message of this year’s Tzu Chi Youth Camp theme, “Seeking Thy ‘Why’ Through Actions.” Organized from June 6 to 8 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila, the camp (led this year by Francisco ) promoted Tzu Chi’s missions and culture by creating opportunities for 126 registered participants to experience them firsthand.
In three days, they practiced Tzu Chi’s disciplines and etiquette in the dining hall and dorms, made and ate vegetarian dishes, mixed the multipurpose and chemical-free enzyme cleaner, wove rugs and seat covers using the excess material of sports socks, and expressed filial piety by writing heartfelt letters to their parents. They also danced, sang, and opened up to each other in the candle-lit setting of “Starry, Starry Night,” a camp favorite.
It is the hope that these participants take the lessons they learned in the past three days beyond the walls of BTCC and integrate them into their daily lives.
“[When] you are lost in your life, sometimes the best way in trying to find why you want to do something is by doing it,” says Francisco . “Especially doing good things: Just doing something is already good. Doing good things is better. Helping more people, even better.”
For many, joining Tzu Chi Youth’s activities was the first step to finding new friends. Alex Wu didn’t know a single person from Tzu Chi when he participated in Tzu Chi Youth’s Sports Day in March and played drums in May’s Buddha Bathing Ceremony. By putting himself out there, he met like-minded Chinese teens and twentysomethings, who, in turn, took a liking to the content creator with a huge TikTok following.
This time, the youth camp wasn’t just about making friends. “I know this isn’t just for fun,” says the 24-year-old taking his Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in English at the University of Santo Tomas. “One of the memorable things I learned was that the founder of Tzu Chi started with very little when she began her charity work.”
That’s something he plans to get into some day. “I think my purpose is to help others,” he says, when asked about his “why.” “If I make people happy, I will also be happy.”
Truth be told, Carina Chua didn’t want to go to the camp. Her mom signed her up, but for the 18-year-old, schoolwork and her personal life were more important.
As the three-day camp unfolded, however, Chua realized that being there was good idea—so good that she had Master Cheng Yen’s Wikipedia page on her Chrome tab since Day 1.
“This camp has taught me to be self-sufficient, sustainable, to care about the environment and the people even if this isn’t my religion. To clean up after myself and learn to be appreciative and grateful for everything and the people around you,” says the incoming freshman taking her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Luxury Management at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. “I hope that moving forward, each of us here can see the world through a more open mind and open heart. The most important thing in this world is to welcome everyone, even if they're not the same as you.”
With nearly 10 years of unforgettable volunteer experience as a member of Tzu Chi Youth, the camp head offers his own insights.
“This camp made me realize that some of the things in life are just temporary. So, don't dwell on the past, or don't think too much, if there are challenges ahead,” he says. “Just straighten up yourself and keep doing what you think is right.”
Jing Si Auditorium served as the main venue for the three-day 2025 Tzu Chi Youth Camp.
Participants learn how to interpret Tzu Chi songs in sign language.
Participants learn how to interpret Tzu Chi songs in sign language.
Eating with chopsticks is part of Tzu Chi’s dining etiquette. Participants watch as a groupmate practices using them.
Guided by a volunteer, Carina Chua tries her hand at folding linen the Tzu Chi way.
Drawing from experience, former Tzu Chi Youth Alumnus Albert Briongos encourages participants to make the most of their time with their parents in a touching talk on filial piety.
Many couldn’t help but sob as they were tasked to write letters to their parents after listening to a talk on filial piety.
Pong Tee’s discussion on mental health challenges and stress management saw several camp participants open up about their personal struggles.
A volunteer explains the significance of this reproduction of a wooden cabin where Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen spent her early years.
In one outdoor game, campers reach out to pass and receive a leaf without falling.
Alex Wu joins the morning exercises at the plaza.
The tour around Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus included a stopover at the Jing Si bookstore.
At the recycling center, a volunteer teaches a camp participant how to weave together the excess material of sports socks to make trays, rugs, and seat covers.
Tzu Chi volunteer Wilfredo Ortiz explains how the multipurpose, chemical-free cleaner enzyme is made.
Volunteers help transfer snacks from Harmony Hall to Jing Si Hall during a downpour.
Tzu Chi volunteer Betty Dizon (left) watches as Sally Yuñez demonstrates making vegetarian pizza.
Camp participants try their hand at making vegetarian pizza.
To better appreciate their snacks, camp participants make it themselves at the bakery.
A camp participant loads a tray of muffins into the oven for baking.
Younger camp participants were called in to help make a gelatin dessert.
What they thought was a reprimanding from Camp Disciplinarian Jedd Lee turned out to be an unexpected birthday greeting for June celebrants Emily Ann Zhang, Morgan Chua, Zydney Faye Lim, Ashley Yu, and Celina Lim.
Youth campers pay tribute to volunteer Michael Siao, who passed away on June 2 due to complications from cancer. Siao was one of the original members of Tzu Chi Youth.
Camp participants go all out their respective Gratitude Night performances.
Camp participants go all out in their respective Gratitude Night performances.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez receives a token from a Tzu Chi Youth.
A favorite of campers, “Starry, Starry Night,” has participants opening up in a cozy candle-lit setting.
A favorite of campers, “Starry, Starry Night,” has participants opening up in a cozy candle-lit setting.
Tzu Chi Youth Alumna Cherrie Rose Ang (in gray) leads a group-sharing activity.
Before she was directress of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines, Jane Sy was a member of Tzu Chi Youth. Here, she begins an intimate group-sharing session by asking each participant why they joined the camp.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (third from right) leads in the distribution of lunch kits to each of the camp participants.
Among the tokens participants received, said Tzu Chi volunteer Ligaya Ng, is booklet containing the teachers of Dharma Master Cheng Yen.
Special awards were given to the camp’s top three groups.
Special awards were given to the camp’s top three groups.
Special awards were given to the camp’s top three groups.
While waiting for youth campers to arrive at the Jing Si Hall, a guest checks participants’ written vows.
Letters written by youth campers to their parents after a filial piety talk were distributed and read before the surprise get-together.
Letters written by youth campers to their parents after a filial piety talk were distributed and read before the surprise get-together.
Families turned emotional during a surprise reunion towards the closing of the three-day camp.
Families turned emotional during a surprise reunion towards the closing of the three-day camp.
Families turned emotional during a surprise reunion towards the closing of the three-day camp.
2025 Tzu Chi Youth Camp Head Kyle Francisco leads the “Pulling the Ox Cart” dance. Inspired to pursue self-cultivation after attending a talk by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, he joined a Tzu Chi Youth Camp at 16 and now has close to a decade’s worth of experience in volunteerism.
Participants and organizers of the 2025 Tzu Chi Youth Camp gather for a group photo.