December 4, 2024
Meet the unsung heroes of Fiesta Verde 2024
By Joy Rojas
Even before Fiesta Verde 2024 on November 23 and 24, these Tzu Chi staffers were already hard at work, volunteering their time and efforts for the two-day fair weeks in advance to ensure that the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila, would be a well-organized destination for quality vegetarian and vegan finds, live cooking demonstrations, and fun, wholesome activities for all ages.
Days after the event, they were still at it, spending long hours restoring BTCC to its pristine, pre-Fiesta Verde state. By the time they were done cleaning kitchenware, dismantling exhibitor booths, and taking down the canopies that covered BTCC’s plaza, a new event would demand their attention.
From fixing the rooms and beddings of out-of-town volunteers and keeping comfort rooms clean to cooking for many and putting heavy food carts in place, their work was mostly unseen, unnoticed at best—yet crucial for the success and smooth flow of Fiesta Verde.
Consider it all in a day’s work for these unsung heroes, whose tireless efforts, whether appreciated or not, contribute to fulfilling Master Cheng Yen’s missions.
Maricel Ochea, Elma Rubia, Precy Quintas, Veneranda Funtaniel, Evangeline Balwit, and Joemar Balwit of Tzu Chi’s Housekeeping Department were up as early as 4 am to set up the long tables, chairs, and other necessities needed by exhibitors and guests. They also kept BTCC’s grounds and the interiors of Unity Hall, Harmony Hall, and Jing Si Auditorium spic and span, prepared the beddings for out-of-town volunteers, and kept the comfort rooms clean and fresh.
Despite the heat and humidity, plus the back-breaking work of setting up tables and chairs at the BTCC plaza, Tzu Chi’s housekeeping staff carried on with a smile.
Restrooms are one of the most frequently used places of a big event like Fiesta Verde, and this housekeeping staffer makes sure that they are always clean.
Trash cans at the rest rooms are routinely emptied to give the place a fresh look.
This housekeeping staffer keeps toilets clean and sanitized for the next users.
Dina Obidos, Raquel Ramos, Jhay-ar Ilo, Rio delos Reyes, and Rosita Tinebro were among the Tzu Chi kitchen staffers responsible for Fiesta Verde’s fresh lumpia, cuapao, palabok, mushroom fries, and other fast-selling treats. Food preparations started a week before the event; on the days of the fair, they were in and out of the kitchen, supplying food carts with freshly cooked vegetarian fare. It took them three days to clean all the cooking and kitchenware used for Fiesta Verde.
At Harmony Hall’s kitchen, a staffer checks on her cooking.
With his ingredients in place, kitchen staffer Jhay-ar Ilo heats up a huge wok to begin cooking.
At Tzu Chi's bakery, staffers prepare pastries and other baked goods to sell.
Tzu Chi’s all-around maintenance man Charlie Centes (fifth from left) and his team
Charlie Centes, Tzu Chi’s all-around maintenance man, drives a forklift to move heavy potted plants and food carts to the plaza.
Fiesta Verde’s food carts are bulky and it took a forklift operated by Tzu Chi maintenance man Charlie Centes to transport these carts and set them up one by one at the BTCC plaza.
Painstakingly assembled canopies kept food vendors and diners shielded from the sun and light rain during Fiesta Verde.
A Tzu Chi staffer installs a dangling light bulb socket on a canopy beam.
You can literally see the sweat on the shirts of these staffers who carried this chiller into Harmony Hall.
Water dispensers were constantly replenished so guests dining at the BTCC plaza stayed hydrated.
A Tzu Chi maintenance man climbs the frame of the Fiesta Verde arch to decorate it with a garland of flowers.
Rjhay Sulit is in charge of the audio-visual requirements of Tzu Chi’s many activities.
A former Tzu Chi scholar, Gene de los Santos is now Tzu Chi’s IT expert. For Fiesta Verde 2024, he helped position numerous payment areas for shoppers’ convenience.
Recently retired from his post as Tzu Chi’s compliance officer, Hilario “Larry” Velasquez (in blue) still volunteers to the foundation. At Fiesta Verde 2024, he gave a live demonstration of how to make eco-enzyme, a multipurpose solution produced from the fermentation of fruits, vegetables, and other organic waste.