August 27, 2026
Takoyaki and fuzzy wire crafts for a good cause
By Thania Florendo
The bustling and crowded Tzu Chi food bazaar gathered together people who wanted to enjoy good food while supporting a worthy cause. Tzu Chi Youth and scholars didn’t miss such an opportunity to take a bigger role as fundraisers with ideas and initiatives of their own.
Held on August 22 and 23, the fundraising event featured vegetarian food stalls, dry goods, fresh produce, sustainable crafts, and zero-waste products to support Tzu Chi’s missions in healthcare, education, disaster relief, and other humanitarian efforts.
Tzu Chi Youth (TCY) began their preparations weeks before the bazaar. As the person-in-charge, Emmie Hong said they decided to sell vegan takoyaki as they were informed that it sold well from past bazaars.
TCY went through three to four practice sessions, testing different ingredients and techniques and improving the recipe based on feedback from Tzu Chi’s Uncles and Aunties. With guidance from Tzu Chi volunteer Sally Yuňez, Hong worked on finding the right ratio for the batter and eventually achieved the texture they wanted—a crisp, thin crust with a soft and moist center.
“As someone who has never made takoyaki before, it was a challenge for sure,” Hong said.
When the bazaar opened, TCY put their preparations into action. They took turns preparing and cooking the takoyaki, handling payments, and inviting visitors to their booth. They also sold milk tea, which quickly became a crowd favorite.
“I felt that I had a greater purpose because usually, we will be tasked to help the Aunties and Uncles with their booths. For this year, we had our own booth and it’s doing well for the first time. I’m really proud of that,” Hong said. TCY raised ₱39,300 in two days.
Tzu Chi scholars, meanwhile, took a different approach to fundraising. Rather than operating a booth, they went around the campus carrying donation boxes and personally spoke with visitors about the cause. They also prepared colorful fuzzy-wire creations as tokens of appreciation for generous donors.
Tzu Chi scholar Angelica Guballo, a broadcasting student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, said opportunities like the bazaar are meaningful to scholars who have experienced the impact of Tzu Chi’s support firsthand.
Guballo previously worked at a BPO company while studying. Through a Tzu Chi scholarship, she is able to focus on her education.
“Others may have an idea how hard it is. I was able to resign because I was supported by Tzu Chi,” Guballo said.
She highlighted that volunteerism is not only meaningful to the people who are being helped, but it is likewise beneficial to the people who are helping because they are given a chance to serve.
“Hopefully, more donors will donate to us. Tzu Chi is not alone in the fundraising journey; together with my fellow scholars and me, we are willing to volunteer because that is also what Tzu Chi taught us,” Guballo said.
Their efforts made a meaningful difference. Together, the scholars raised ₱67,700 from 52 generous donors over the weekend.
For the youth and the scholars, being given the chance to serve meant proving that they can stand alongside other volunteers—not as helpers, but as volunteers who can take initiative, carry responsibility, and make a meaningful contribution to Tzu Chi’s missions.
And perhaps that is what young people need most: not to be told that they are too young to help, but to be given the opportunity to show just how much they can do.
Tzu Chi Youth Emmie Hong leads their booth during Day 2 of the food bazaar.
The food bazaar taught Tzu Chi Youth how to persevere in learning a new skill: takoyaki making.
Tzu Chi Youth create their own flavorful version of vegan takoyaki with carrots, cabbage, and corn seasoned with vegan seasoning.
Tzu Chi Youth prepare milk tea orders, one of the bazaar’s standout drinks.
What a fun day of teamwork and learning for the Tzu Chi Youth!
Tzu Chi scholars encourage shoppers to donate and support a good cause.
Tzu Chi scholars encourage shoppers to donate and support a good cause.
(From left) Tzu Chi volunteer Jaynard Jasmin and Tzu Chi scholars Erica Cuison, Gabrielle Monera, Angelica Guballo, and Luis Christopher Sta. Maria man a table featuring novelties handcrafted from fuzzy wire.
The Tzu Chi staff’s rice porridge booth brings in ₱27,825 for the fundraising effort.
Tzu Chi volunteer Emelita Tan was surprised with a birthday cake by her fellow volunteers during Day 2 of the food bazaar.