Bystander at Tzu Chi's Rice Relief Program

Fourteen thousand residents of Marikina trooped to the city's sports complex on July 3rd for Tzu Chi's (慈濟) 2011 Prayer Vigil and Rice Relief Program. Rain poured for half an hour ninety minutes before the program was set to begin. In retrospect, the weather was actually in favor of the charity event as the wind and rain cooled the scorching heat from the midday sun. The program culminated in a prayer led by priests and monks from different religious groups before the sacks of rice donated by the Taiwanese government were distributed. Political figures present that day included Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman and Congressman Miro Quimbo. In Tzu Chi fashion, the giver and receiver must both bow to each other before the exchange was to be made as those in the last photo were preparing to do. Read more about it here.