Pray for Francis

The Pagasa had just come out with the prediction that an LPA in the south may bring with it drenching rain that could mar the visit here of Pope Francis.

But we hope that God will give him an overcast sky that could make his stay here less bothersome or irritatingly hot.

Ave Papa Francis, Hail Pope Francis! We all greet the Vicar of Christ on earth. May your visit prove fruitful for both the Philippines and yourself also.

As it is, workers are frantically trying to complete on time the repair and construction of underground pipes leading from the Cathedral of Palo in Leyte. That is supposed to prevent the papal motorcade from getting under water when they move toward Palo from Tacloban.

By itself, according to the Pagasa, the Tacloban Airport may present a problem for the Papal airplane because it is so near the sea. Well, so be it. Undoubtedly, God has His ways, showing His people His might and power. We are sure that he will see to it that His vicar on earth will not be buffeted by Nature’s fury but instead may find himself shielded from the tropical heat by the LPA.

I and my group will miss a close encounter with the present Pope. But I like to remember our close encounter with St. John Paul II during his visit here to the Philippines.

We were about 50 from the Neo-Cathechumenate community of Bacolod plus others. We travelled to Manila on board the Negros Navigation ship. On board the boat there was already the festive atmosphere of pilgrims on their way to their destination and to catch a glimpse of their Pope.

On arrival in Manila we were fetched by several buses. The first stop was a private school house in the Parañaque subdivision of the former Manila Mayor Ramon Bagatsing.

Of course, that was no easy accommodation. But it was still restful enough. The next day we found ourselves brought in front of the Army-Navy Club just beside the Luneta. This was near enough the grandstand where the Pope was going to celebrate his Mass.

We placed our sleeping gear on the cement or asphalted road. A tent covered our sleeping quarter. Again, as I had previously said, it was no easy accommodation. But there was no grumbling. We must do with what we had and enjoyed ourselves. And really so. That included my two boys – Junior and Jay.

Jay put one over us. He had gone up the middle fence along Roxas Boulevard at the corner of the Luneta when the Pope passed by moving slowly. And I saw him shouting with joy at the sight the Vicar of Christ.

I’m sure that he remembers the sight of the Pope blessing him and other passersby from the Pope Mobile.

The rest were a bewildering array of experiences and close encounters that made our visit to Manila worth our trip and ordeal.

The rest I shall write later.

Meanwhile, I would like to inform every Bacolodnon that on January 19, the day the Pope goes back to Rome, the Graciano Lopez clan of Negros Occidental will celebrate the 119th death anniversary of the national hero.

This time, however, Tanya Lopez will take over as president of the clan. Although I had already resigned last year, nevertheless the more important thing is that the GLJ Elementary School still printed me in their program as the incumbent president. Not that it really matters, I do not prolong my stay beyond what the Lopez clan assigned for me.

I know Mr. Crisostomo N. Boko Jr., the new GLJES principal, must have overlooked that I had introduced Tanya to him as the new clan head last year.

Still, it does not really matter that I am still in the program as the clan head.

As usual, the program starts at 7:30 a.m. It is short, but meaningful with the school having put up a dramatic presentation called “Ang Baganihan Sadto Kag Subong”, with Mrs. Mary Ann Aguilar, research director, calling the shots.

In the drama, they usually capture the spirit of the hero who had suffered soo much and travelled so far to Spain obsessed only with freedom and equality for the Filipino people.

As usual, he died young. As did the other heroes of the country.

Mrs. Lory Magalona will lead the GLJES teachers and pupil choir in singing Lupang Hinirang and Ang Bacolodnon. Principal Boko Jr. will deliver the opening remarks and will be followed by Mayor Monico Puentevella and Rep. Evelio Leonardia.

Mrs. Magalona will again lead the group in singing the Lopez Jaena hymn. Mrs. Amelie Buarcon, the teachers’ league president, will deliver the final response.*

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