A GROUP OF POOR FILIPINOS WEAR COSTUMES AS THEY QUEUE FOR A NOONTIME SHOW IN...

A group of poor Filipinos wearing colourful costumes queue at a local television network January 26 to participate in a top-rated Philippine noontime gameshow called "Pera o Bayong" (Money or Sack) which gives away prizes worth more than 200,000 pesos ($5,000) of cash and household appliances. The participants are asked whether they'll take the money being offered or take their chance on what may be inside the sack. The unemployment rate in the Philippines remains high and get rich quick schemes or other forms of gambling remain popular among Filipinos. Show organizers require contestants to wear different costumes everyday. EDC/PB