Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines continues the cycle of Great Love that it brought out among the residents of Marikina City as it holds three significant events in one monumental gathering at the Marikina Sports Center on December 27, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

The most anticipated Tzu Chi event will constitute a thanksgiving ceremony that will witness the continuous flow of the stream of compassion among Marikeños; a prayer vigil that will bring out sincere prayers for a world full of peace and free of disasters; and, a yearend blessing which will bestow Tzu Chi Founder Master Cheng Yen ’s consecration to the Filipinos whom she wishes to be safe and at peace as a new year sets in.

More than 20,000 residents of Marikina, along with special guests, are expected to attend this large-scale gathering.

In September, Typhoon ‘Ondoy’ (Ketsana) caused much suffering to thousands of residents in Marikina City. Realizing the great extent of the deluge in the said city, Tzu Chi focused its efforts in bringing Marikina back to normalcy through the cash-for-work program, a rather unique relief effort executed by the foundation that paid Php400 for each resident who helped in cleaning up their own communities.

The said relief effort of Tzu Chi helped the three worst-hit barangays of Nangka, Malanday and Tumana to gain speedy recovery from the disaster but most importantly, it revealed the innate compassion inside the hearts of the residents who attested that their lives were changed through the help of the foundation.

Preparations for this most anticipated event have been undergoing since November through the selflessness of the Tzu Chi volunteers and hundreds of local volunteers from Marikina.

Just as what Master Cheng Yen said that love transcends race, religion and nationality, the Tzu Chi big event will also be a junction of different religious communities in the metropolis as the Muslim and Catholic communities of Marikina will also be contributing to this congregation of Tzu Chi Foundation, a Buddhist organization.

Tzu Chi Philippines is inviting everyone to partake in this meaningful year-ender event and celebrate the spirit of great love, unity, gratitude and peace as a new year approaches.