Viva Il Papa!

We were one of the blessed Filipino who were able to catch a glimpse of the Pope. Wow, iba pala talaga yung feeling!

Woke up 5 am. Actually, late na yun kase the original plan was at 5am, aalis na dapat kame. Kaso, Prince and I were in deep sleep na hindi namen namalayan ung alarm. It was only when my sister kept on ringing my phone that I was awakened. Few minutes past 5, we hurriedly prepared ourselves. Maybe at 5:30 or almost 6am, we were on our way to Espana with Sans and kuya Rhuel. 

Finding what we think was the best spot, we stopped where we thought there were less people that we can see the pope when he pass by. 

8:30am, there was an excitement in everybody. Policemen started lining up. People were even shouting at every convoy that will get through us thinking it was Pope's. Devices were always up and opened, kase nga naman anytime siya na yung dadaan. 

9:00am, wala padin? But phone signals went off already. So I said to myself, malapit na yan.

Almost 9:30am, the officers said, 'lumabas na sya', a sign that any minute, nandyan na sya.

Then there it goes. Mabilis. Mabilis pa sa tagal ng tinayo at hinintay namen. And he was riding the Papal Car, not the Papal Mobile. Pero every minute was worth it. All the efforts and sacrifices  - Yung  lakad, sakit ng tyan, gutom, antok - was no doubt all worth it! It was just.. magical! The feeling is surreal!

He has a different aura. I've only seen him a few seconds - the most amazing few seconds of my life - because I felt like I've been blessed by the Holy Father. I told myself the day before, that the moment I got to see him, I'll ask for good health for my mom and dad. But you know what? The moment I saw him, I got speechless. Hindi ako nakasigaw, walang Hi, hindi din hello, walang hey!, wala miski kaway! I was out of words. All I was ever able to do is video that glimpse of him. Ayun lang!

But you know what? When the parade is over and the Pope had passed by, I felt like I wanna burst out and cry. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. It was completely because of joy, though. I felt like he was there to bless us. I felt like it was really bound to happen because it needed to. It was like a flash - everything came up to me and I felt like I needed to do something. Or something. I felt like crying about the hopelessness of the society; I felt like crying for the needy; I felt like crying for the country. And I remember everything he said in his homilies. His words were just like a stamp hindi maalis sa isip ko. Even myself do not understand. I just want to cry at that moment.

The Pope was like an angel - or the Holy Spirit for that matter. His aura is infectious and his holiness radiates. Maybe that's is why you'll never regret the moment you spend waiting for him, whether in the streets or in the venue itself.

*Photo downloaded from Google Images

Thank you, Pope Francis! For giving us the hope we've been trying to find all these years. Thank you for your smile that somehow eases the pain from whatever we are going through; for never showing exhaustion, for keeping your hands waving endlessly to us whether you're seated or standing all throughout your travel to your destination; For the words, that mostly came from your heart, even though it was told in Spanish; For sharing your kindness, for the mercy and compassion. Thank you for bringing Jesus Christ and reminding that he is here for us. Indeed, you are the "Humble", "Compassionate" and "Cool" Pope. Truly, you are the "People's Pope".

Five days. Five days that you were here, and the whole country was filled with nothing but peace and unity. Well, there were bashers, of course, as always. Pero ang nangibabaw parin ay pagkakaisa at pagmamahal sa Diyos. Five days of blessing each and every one of us; five days of bringing us in faith. Thank you, Pope Francis. Your visit in the country will always be memorable to each and every Filipino. I know it, for sure! 

In behalf of my fellowmen, thank you Pope Francis! And just like what Cardinal Tagle have said, we will always be with you in faith and spirit. We travel with you wherever you are. And most of all, we, Filipinos, are, and will always be praying for you.

VIVA IL PAPA!

MABUHAY ANG SANTO PAPA!

*Photo downloaded from Google Images

MARAMING SALAMAT PO, SANTO PADRE! ♥

- ymhej - 

01.19.2015