When he made his public appearance as the newly elected Pope, there was this very strong and encouraging welcome impression from Christians worldwide. He is not a traditional, ultra-conservative and rigid dogmatic one. People living in the present society can relate to his teachings especially the youth.He uses words ordinary people can grasp.
His enigmatic smile pasted on thousand photos draw more lay people to listen to him. He speaks simply and from the heart. He is a HUMAN being who can identify with billions of believers, willing to reach out to them especially the least, the last and the lost.
I like him, his words of wisdom are for all, the madlang people of all nations. You can't help but pause and ponder after reading or hearing what he had said. Like the former Pope, now St.John Paul II, there is unexplainable charisma which they possess. I did not see Pope John Paul for the World Youth Day on 1995. When Malacanang and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) officially announced the Papal visit of Pope Francis in our homeland, I knew I had to see him. I want to see in person even just one pope in my lifetime. As I said, I like him.Even my Adam Levine once tweeted " I have a good feel for this Pope."
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| Social networking sites proved to be useful in sharing safety tips. |
On Saturday, January 17, together with my cousins, we headed to Manila. Lucky for us we were still able to book a room at Riviera Mansion in Malate as all the hotels along Roxas Blvd were full many months before the Pope's arrival. It's me, Sharon, Ville and Ivan. We had a "powersnack" at Uncle Cheffy first to gain energy for the many plans we have on how to see Pope.:) "Let's find M.Orosa St.first, do'n lang entrance for the mass," "Tignan muna naten Nunciature para bukas, " "What time shall we sleep and wake up later?", "What if we go to UST tomorrow morning then head immediately to Grandstand?","What food are we gonna bring?". And many other questions and strategies.Later we realized as much as we would wish to see Pope in all the events, it is quite impossible unless we become invisible and join his amazing security convoy. :)
Walk, walk, walk, just walk. This was what we did Saturday night. We asked directions for Nunciature and how lucky we were, the women we were talking to are headed to Nunciature. They are Quezon City Disaster Risk Management Council staff. The boss is Ma'am Cindy Garcia, a cabalen. Tadaaa!! We were at the back of their car with blinker, going to Nunciature!:) The excitement continued to build up coz as soon as the car stopped at the place, media satellite vans were seen,vendors selling Pope memorabilia, PNP, AFP and rescue volunteer groups in attendance. For personal record, Quirino Avenue of LRT Station 1 now and always will have a very significant attachment to me. THE Nunciature. Coz it's like: R.Papa- my cousin's house; Bambang- scrub suits; Pedro Gil-Robinson's Place; Baclaran-Mother of Perpetual Help,etc.
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| Ivan was basang-basa sa ulan!! |
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| At Quirino Avenue waiting for Pope. |
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| Thank you my Bee, Ville and Ivan for this wonderful memory of us. |
After Nunciature, we walked along Roxas Blvd, preparations were ongoing. K9 dogs trying to sniff danger, cameras and OB vans being set up, happy smiles of people taking souvenir shots with their friends and families. It was sort of TBT educational trip as we stopped in front of the Rizal Monument and the huge huge Philippine flag swaying gently with the wind. At 10PM,a great number of pilgrims is already headed at M.Orosa Avenue with pots of food and jars of water plus blankets, jackets and images of Sto.Nino ready for camp out as the gates to Quirino Grandstand are to be opened 6AM the following day. Woww!We moved back to the hotel, readied our Pope shirts, bottled water and energy bars and slept at 11PM.
We were on our feet 3:30 in the morning for Nunciature. The Pope is scheduled to depart at 9AM for his UST event. We were able to stay at the second row behind the steel barricade, those who were in front of us came at 11PM. As everybody waited for the rising of the sun, we tried to take a nap while seated on the road. The crowd was getting bigger as the clock ticked, it was generally peaceful and calm all throughout save for a few who needed medical assistance for asthma attack, dizzines. Mobile phones have no signal anymore. It was ok, all for Pope's safety. Happy screams and waves aroused for every security vehicle that moves and blinks around the area. At around 6AM, police, navy and air force, and other agencies started to form the human barricades. When the PSG convoy arrived, I knew it wouldn't take very long before we'll get to see Pope. Sparrow unit men surveyed the LRT station, K9 dogs were present. Security alert at its serious best. I was sleepy, low back and calf pain I already feel but I can't complain. To see babies, toddlers, senior citizens, the crippled and disabled patiently waiting for the Holy Father leave no room for words of discomfort.
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| With the strictest security measures, my Globe postpaid mobile displayed Smart signal for 5 seconds.:) |
The armed forces in front of us were sharing helpful hints as to when to have the cameras readied, the last movements of the convoy that will signal the departure. The Nunciature was roughly 40 meters from where we were standing,that moment when I saw the Pope walking towards his van was already a moment. Like, OMG! He is real, he is on the road now!!! Seconds gone and the convoy was smoothly moving. The 2-4 second glimpse of him inside a VW SUV was gone fast. I did not hear anyone complain. As Sha and I were ecstatic to catch Pope, Ville and Ivan sadly did not see him for some reasons. Sad, that is why we took a quick brekky and waited for Pope Francis to arrive from UST. The volume of people along Nunciature did not thin out. Short past 12 noon, Pope was back this time riding the Popemobile.Yayyy!!!Longer time, around 7 seconds of seeing him!:)
Amang the typhoon made its presence felt in Manila with continuous downpour and winds.It did not however dampen the Christian spirit of the pilgrims. We joined the mass of the Holy Father at Quirino Grandstand. Thank you for the LED walls and very clear sound system. The best and most solemn ever time I heard Ama Namin was sang was on this Eucharistic celebration.It was beyond feelings and emotions. To share a piece of the body of Christ with others during the Communion showed "bayanihan" among the attendees.
Tell the World of His Love, the theme song of World Youth Day 1995 and We Are God's Children, the Apostolic Visit 2015 hymn were sang . What a sight and sound to behold.Millions of us braved the rain and wind. It was starting to get really cold we had to rub our hands, drink hot coffee after the final blessing.Thank you Archbishop Soc Villegas and Cardinal Chito Tagle for thanking Pope Francis in the way we the millions of Filipinos would express our gratefulness to him. No frills, just sincere words from the heart like Pope. I will do my share to go to the peripheries with you, Papa Francisco.When Pope going home to Nunciature was waving to the crowd, we saw him one last time. Did I say he used the jeepney Popemobile made by a Philippine company? Nice.
Why did I go to Manila, deprived myself of sleep, stood for long hours, walked kilometers of distance, stayed under the rain and strong wind for just a total of 10-12 second-glimpse of the Holy Father? Is it worth it??? A resounding YES YES!!! I won't have it any other way. I know if I did not push thru with the plans I will regret it for along time.I went to see Pope as a sign of my gratitude to him for showing MERCY and COMPASSION to everyone especially the marginalized and abused.He is an apostle of God who says, " Who am I to judge?" and carries his portfolio by himself. He laughs with the innocence of a child and cries tenderly for the pain and anguish experiences of his flock. He often sermons on doable things- Finish your food; Sunday is for families; Be happy. He speaks with authority but does not impose intimidation. He cares so much he listens carefully. Pope Francis is hard to ignore.
If I have to choose his best quotes from his Papal visit, they would be the homily at Tacloban- " We have a God who is capable of crying with us" and his emphasis on asking for Mama Mary's intercession when there is just too heavy a burden to carry and his speech at UST telling us not to be afraid to cry. We need to cry to understand.
Thank you soooo much God for bringing your Holy Apostle in our land. He is YOUR rockstar on earth!!!!Thanks Pope Francis for sharing your time and wisdom with all of us. Thank you for bringing out the best in the Filipino people. Praise be to God for your safe and orderly arrival, stay and departure. I wish and pray the Pope Francis effect is not temporary, rather a great motivation and inspiration for all of us to go to the peripheries. When we miss the Pope, he'll be with us there.
To God Be The Glory.
Postscipt:
Clap!Clap! to the government and all its agencies, CBCP and Archdiocese of Manila, City of Manila, all the dioceses and parishes, volunteer groups, the business sector, media, and all the Filipinos for a job well done. The Papal visit was truly AMAZING and AWESOME!!!:)
