A GROUP of Indian nationals associated with Punjabi Khalsa Diwan Indian Sikh Temple in Hervias, Bacolod City, provided free bottles of water to churchgoers at San Sebastian Cathedral, including those who watched the stage play on the Passion of Christ held at the Bacolod City public plaza on Good Friday.
Prem Singh Rai, the group's secretary, led the giving of water to those who approached them.
This is just as part of their charity works in a community where they lived and do business, he said.
They lined up pit bottles of cold mineral water in a table situated just beside the San Sebastian Cathedral, which appeared to be very strategic to those coming in and out of the church.
Rai said: "This is not about religion, as we all believed in one God. This is just a charity work of our group, after seeing the need to provide water to people who were thirsty, after their long exposure to sunlight."
"We know that we have different religions but God is the only one. There were 50 of us who were here to help distribute water to the people. This is our second year at San Sebastian Cathedral. Even though we are not Catholic, we saw the need to give these to others," he said.
He said they distributed about 20,000 bottles last Lenten season.
Last year, they gave out around 13,000 bottles of mineral water.
"Other people also helped us in our charity work. We just want to give back this kindness to the people," Rai said.
He added that they also cooked food and gave it to the Girls Home in Barangay Alijis, Boys Home in Barangay Granada and to the Blind Community in Barangay Mansilingan every Sunday.
Every year, they also provide free reading glasses to 12,000 people who also availed themselves of free eye consultation.