They danced and
called him “Papa”

It was such a beautiful experience watching the reception of Pope Francis in Africa! Frankly, I had never imagined that there were many Catholics in that continent, and how demonstrative and sincere they could be in showing their appreciation and love for the Pontiff. In his first stop, Kenya, he was received at a sports stadium that was overflowing with excited people, waving yellow and white flaglets, the colors of the Church, as well as their national flag. It was a truly rousing welcome, and it was so touching to see the country's president himself leading the line of welcomers as they danced towards the welcome site.

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It was clear that the Kenyan welcomers were just as effusive and thrilled as our own people had been during his visit to the Philippines, but they were clearly more disciplined as they waited for him to appear at the stadium. As he passed the crowds in his popemobile, it seemed as if we were seeing again the crowds in Manila's streets during his visit here. And the crowds also gave him a nickname, calling him “Papa”, which he seemed to enjoy – as he said he liked being called “Papa Isko” in the Philippines. The exhaustive CNN coverage also said rain poured during parts of his stay, but, like in Manila, people did not mind. The commentator even quoted a bystander who said that “Rain is a good thing in Africa”. The Holy Father is moving on to other places in Africa in the next days, and let us follow him with prayers for his safety and well-being. Viva il Papa!

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Back here in our country, we continue to get our daily doses of chargings and convictions from the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan in what seems to be a frantic resolve to rule on the hundreds – maybe thousands? – of graft and corruption cases in their agenda. One of the latest is the conviction and sentencing to 10 years imprisonment each of a once very popular mayor of Pasay City, Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad, and the city's Congressman, Jose Antonio Roxas. The charges had to do with their alleged granting of special concessions to a private contractor for a P500 million mall. Both were also ordered “perpetually disqualified from holding public office”.

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They say the safest place in the world now is Paris. After the bloody incidents caused by an IS attack in three venues that claimed 129 lives, the place is now crawling with policemen, fully armed, and, no doubt, also plainsclothemen, all on the lookout for suspicious characters who could stage another Bataclan Hall carnage, and even at a sports stadium. So far, some of the suspects have been rounded up and the alleged mastermind already disposed of. But who can tell which among the crowds of foreigners visiting that famous and beautiful city could be “it”?

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The country now going through the greatest apprehension is probably Belgium, that has been pinpointed as the place where the killers who stormed into Paris, had resided, and probably hatched their heinous plans. Now its people are ill at ease, worrying about when the foreigners they had welcomed into their country will strike. Like Paris, Belgium, and especially Brussels, its capital, are also on alert for potential attacks. In the United States, President Obama had to deliver a reassuring speech to his people that they can celebrate Thanksgiving Day without fear, as things were under control.

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How fickle naman is Bongbong Marcos! After failing to get accepted by any of the frontrunners as their running mate, he settled for late comer Miriam Defensor Santiago, who was willing to take him (for a lack of choice?). Now that he learned that Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has changed his mind for the nth time, and has filed his certificate of candidacy for president, he goes courting the mayor. Sorry na lang for him, Duterte, too, would not have him. Anong say ni Miriam to all this?

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Well, well! The National Capital Region has reportedly rated newcomer Mayor Rodrigo Duterte the lead in the latest Pulse Asia Survey. He has outpaced Grace Poe, VP Jejomar Binay, Mar Roxas, and Miriam Santiago. When he announced his decision to run, after all the hesitation, he gave as his reason the fact that the Senate Electoral Tribunal had saved her from disqualification. Could his top spot in the NCR ranking mean that the people there agree with him, that Grace Poe should have been disqualified? Let's wait for the next surveys.*

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