Love and tears flowed as Tzu Chi Eye Center celebrated Mother's Day with feet washing ritual

The Tzu Chi Eye Center in Sta. Mesa, Manila was a scene of love and tears as it celebrated Mother’s Day together with the birthdays of the Buddha, Tzu Chi Foundation and the founder of the international humanitarian organization on 9 May.

A highlight of the event was the feet washing ritual wherein children and students honored their mothers and teachers by washing their feet.

The cleansing ceremony made Marietta Galit, a cataract and detached retina patient, cry as her youngest child, Glen, performed the simple yet meaningful gesture of humility, love and filial devotion to a parent.

“I cannot see it because of my poor vision but I can feel deeply how much my children love me,” Marietta said, according to the Facebook page of Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines.

With the gesture, the son reassured his mother that he would never leave her side.

“I remembered all my mother’s sacrifices and love,” he added. “Our father passed away early so she had to support all her six children alone. Through this ceremony, it’s like I’m telling her ‘Ma, this time we will be the ones who will take care of you.’ ”

Other young children also washed the feet of their parents.

Younger volunteer doctors, meanwhile, expressed their appreciation to their mentors and seniors with a tea ceremony.

“I am so grateful to be given this chance to demonstrate how much I appreciated the things that she has taught me,” Dr. Earl Cruz said after serving tea and offering a flower to his trainer, pediatric ophthalmologist and strabismus specialist Dr. Ma. Rebecca Abes-Servera.