March 17, 2025
Fostering camaraderie at Tzu Chi Youth Sports Day
By Arvin Yanga
About 100 participants, Tzu Chi Youth staff, and Tzu Chi volunteers gathered at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, on March 8 for the Tzu Chi Youth Sports Day, an event that showcased the organization’s values through teamwork-focused activities.
“The main goal of this Sports Day is to introduce Tzu Chi in a fun and engaging way, allowing everyone to understand it more deeply,” said John Carlo Caedo, officer-in-charge of the event. “We hope to showcase another side of Tzu Chi—not only its warmth and humanitarian values but also its youthful energy and team spirit.”
According to Caedo, the sports day also served as a preliminary event for the annual Tzu Chi Youth Camp and recruitment drive. “Tzu Chi is a place where passionate and energetic young people come together to do good and spread kindness in their own way,” he added. “We welcome everyone to get to know Tzu Chi better and encourage more people to join us in doing good deeds and accumulating kindness.”
Participants were also treated to a complimentary vegetarian lunch, reflecting Tzu Chi’s promotion of healthy eating practices.
Patrick Ngo, a participant and member of Tzu Chi Youth since 2017, praised the event for fostering camaraderie. “We had different games that really brought out the potential in each of us,” he said, encouraging fellow youth to “keep joining the activities if you have free time.”
Throughout the day, participants engaged in various team-building activities. Games included competitive challenges such as tug-of-war and “Red Light, Green Light,” where players had to freeze in specific poses while attempting to reach the finish line. Other games featured relay races where participants dropped coins into Tzu Chi coin banks and skill-based competitions like the “Wisdom Match-Up,” where teams paired beginnings and endings of Jing Si aphorism cards.
At the event’s conclusion, several teams received a special recognition for their outstanding performance. Awards were presented to teams that demonstrated exceptional strength, synergy, and excellence throughout the day's activities, with each winning team receiving special prizes to commemorate their achievements.
Each attendee received a commemorative keychain with the Sports Day logo, body care products, and inspirational message cards as appreciation gifts for the day’s activities.
Participants freeze in position during the “Red Light, Green Light” game.
Participants freeze in position during the “Red Light, Green Light” game.
Participants freeze in position during the “Red Light, Green Light” game.
Teams put their collective strength to the test during an intense tug-of-war match.
Teams put their collective strength to the test during an intense tug-of-war match.
“We hope to showcase another side of Tzu Chi—not only its warmth but also its youthful energy,” says Sports Day Officer-in-Charge John Carlo Caedo.
At the Creative Drawing Relay station, team members have just five seconds each to contribute to a collaborative artwork before passing the paper to the next person.
At the Creative Drawing Relay station, team members have just five seconds each to contribute to a collaborative artwork before passing the paper to the next person.
Participants match beginnings and endings of Jing Si aphorisms at the Wisdom Match-up station, testing their knowledge of Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s inspirational quotes.
Participants match beginnings and endings of Jing Si aphorisms at the Wisdom Match-up station, testing their knowledge of Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s inspirational quotes.
Concentration is key as participants carefully drop coins into Tzu Chi coin banks during the Coin Can Relay Race at Unity Hall.
Teams receive special awards recognizing their strength, synergy, and excellence throughout the day’s challenges.
Teams receive special awards recognizing their strength, synergy, and excellence throughout the day’s challenges.
Teams receive special awards recognizing their strength, synergy, and excellence throughout the day’s challenges.
Teams receive special awards recognizing their strength, synergy, and excellence throughout the day’s challenges.
Appreciation gifts including body lotion, perfume, inspirational Jing Si aphorism cards, and a commemorative Sports Day keychain were presented to each participant.
Participants, Tzu Chi Youth staff, and Tzu Chi volunteers gather for a group photo in front of BTCC's Jing Si Auditorium, commemorating a successful Sports Day.